# Conflicting Viewpoints in Chemistry
The Conflicting Viewpoints passage type presents 2-3 scientists with different explanations for the same phenomenon. You must understand each viewpoint, compare them, and determine what evidence supports or weakens each.
1. Structure of Conflicting Viewpoints
Typically:
- Introduction: background information and the phenomenon
- Scientist 1: one explanation
- Scientist 2: alternative explanation
- Sometimes Scientist 3: a third perspective
2. Strategy
Step 1: Understand Each Viewpoint
- What does each scientist claim?
- What mechanism do they propose?
- What evidence do they cite?
Step 2: Identify Agreements and Disagreements
- What do they agree on? (Usually the observations/data)
- Where do they disagree? (Usually the explanation)
Step 3: Evaluate with Evidence
- What data would support Scientist 1 but not Scientist 2?
- What experiment could distinguish between the viewpoints?
3. Common Chemistry Topics
- Reaction mechanisms: different proposed pathways
- Causes of phenomena: why a reaction is faster/slower
- Atomic/molecular models: different structural explanations
- Environmental chemistry: competing explanations for observations
- Origin of substances: different theories about formation
4. Question Types
| Question Type | What It Asks |
|---|---|
| Comprehension | What does Scientist 1 claim? |
| Comparison | How do the viewpoints differ? |
| Evidence | What evidence supports/weakens a viewpoint? |
| New information | Given new data, which viewpoint is better supported? |
| Prediction | What would Scientist 2 predict for this scenario? |
5. Practice Approach
- Read the introduction carefully for shared facts
- For each scientist, summarize their main claim in one sentence
- Note the KEY difference between viewpoints
- Answer questions by returning to the specific viewpoint mentioned
Want to check your answers and get step-by-step solutions?
6. ACT Tips
- Don't pick sides — evaluate both viewpoints objectively
- The answer is in the passage, not your prior knowledge
- "According to Scientist 1" means look ONLY at Scientist 1's section
- For "new information" questions, check which viewpoint is consistent with the new data
- Conflicting Viewpoints is the hardest passage type — save it for last if needed