There are many questions which students and parents have when deciding upon whether to choose chemistry or not. These are a selection of those and other questions.

Question I want to be a doctor. Is Chemistry necessary?

• Answer: Yes. It is compulsory. You have to have Chemistry A Level to be able to study medicine at any university.

Question And dentistry?

• Answer: Yes. And veterinary science, chemistry, chemical engineering, metallurgy, materials science, biology...

Question ...biology?

• Answer: No, but just try getting in without it!

Question I'm in Year 9. Is Chemistry an optional subject?

• Answer: Yes.

Question Should I choose it?

• Answer: Depends. If you are any good at it then yes. If you find it hard though, think twice.

Question So I can't.

• Answer: No. Anyone can give it a go. No one gets thrown out. But some fall out after the first mid term test. Ouch! Some find that it just takes them too long to keep up with the workload. Make the correct decision.

Question Can we make fireworks?

• Answer: No.

Question Well what about a rocket?

• Answer: No. Don't insist! We try to make it as much fun as possible by doing experiments whenever we can.

Question Oh, so it's all theory.

• Answer: No. Chemists didn't get where they were today by thinking alone. They got up and tried it.

Question Why is Chemistry so important?

• Answer: Without it you would not be here asking! You are one big mass of chemical reactions. You are the definition of a chemical reaction. Your stomach contains strong hydrochloric acid for a start. Oh, and how come you are at 37º all day?

Question Ever had an accident in the lab?

• Answer: Me, personally?

Question Yes.

• Answer: Not recently and not at Runnymede, no.

Question When?

• Answer: At college. A flask of acid fell onto my hand. I said, 'Oh dear, what a pity'. The scar is still there to remind me. Since then I decided not to have any more accidents. So I made some rules.

Question What rules?

• Answer: Rule number six for instance. It says: 'If you think that something is hot, DON'T touch it.'

Question What about the new A Level?

• Answer: Looks good. You can get the first bit of it out of the way at the end of Year 12. And they even let you have another go at the end of Year 13 if you want. Can't say fairer than that.