Chemistry revision notes

One chapter for each section of the 5070 syllabus, with worked examples. Read a chapter, then practise it with real past-paper questions.

1. 1States of MatterSolids, liquids and gases and the kinetic particle theory, changes of state and heating and cooling curves, the effect of temperature and pressure on a gas, and diffusion.7 min read
2. 2Atoms, Elements and BondingElements, compounds and mixtures, atomic structure and electronic configuration, isotopes and relative atomic mass, ionic bonding, covalent bonding and simple molecules, giant covalent structures, and metallic bonding.15 min read
3. 3Formulae and the MoleChemical formulae and equations, relative atomic and molecular masses, the mole and the Avogadro constant, gas volumes, concentration, reacting masses, limiting reactants, titration calculations, empirical and molecular formulae, percentage yield and percentage purity.12 min read
4. 4ElectrochemistryElectrolysis of molten compounds and aqueous solutions, predicting the products and writing half-equations, electroplating, and hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells compared with petrol engines.9 min read
5. 5Energy Changes in ReactionsExothermic and endothermic reactions, the enthalpy change and activation energy, reaction pathway diagrams, and calculating the enthalpy change from bond energies.4 min read
6. 6Rates, Equilibrium and RedoxPhysical and chemical changes, collision theory and the rate of reaction, practical methods and graphs, reversible reactions and equilibrium including the Haber and Contact processes, and oxidation, reduction and oxidation numbers.14 min read
7. 7Acids, Bases and SaltsThe properties of acids and bases, neutralisation, indicators and pH, strong and weak acids, acidic, basic and amphoteric oxides, and the preparation of soluble and insoluble salts.10 min read
8. 8The Periodic TableThe arrangement of the Periodic Table, trends across a period and down a group, the Group I alkali metals, the Group VII halogens and their displacement reactions, the transition elements and the noble gases.8 min read
9. 9MetalsThe properties and uses of metals, alloys, the reactivity series and displacement reactions, corrosion and its prevention, and the extraction of iron in the blast furnace and aluminium by electrolysis.12 min read
10. 10Chemistry of the EnvironmentWater and its tests, pollutants in natural water and the treatment of the domestic water supply, fertilisers, the composition of air, air pollutants and their effects, the greenhouse effect, acid rain, catalytic converters and photosynthesis.7 min read
11. 11Organic ChemistryFormulae, functional groups and homologous series, naming organic compounds, fuels and fractional distillation of petroleum, alkanes, alkenes and cracking, alcohols and the manufacture of ethanol, carboxylic acids and esters, addition and condensation polymers, plastics and proteins.14 min read
12. 12Experimental Techniques and AnalysisApparatus and experimental design, acid–base titrations, paper chromatography and Rf values, separation and purification methods, and the tests for anions, cations, gases and flame colours.12 min read