Rates of reactions
Specification Checklist
reference questions
Can you explain and use the terms rate of reaction, order, overall order,
5.1.1 a rate constant, half-life, rate-determining step.
5.1.1 b i Can you deduce orders from experimental data?
Can you deduce a rate equation from orders of the form rate = k[A]m[B]n,
5.1.1 b ii where m and n are 0, 1, or 2?
Can you calculate the rate constant, k, and related quantities from a rate
5.1.1 c equation, including determination of units?
Can you deduce the order (0 or 1) with respect to a reactant from the
5.1.1 d i shape of a graph?
5.1.1 d ii Can you calculate reaction rates from the measurements of gradients?
5.1.1 e Can you measure constant half-life, t1/2, from a concentration time graph?
Can you determine the rate constant, k, for a first order reaction from the
5.1.1 f constant half-life, t1/2, using the relationship: k = ln 2/t1/2?
Can you deduce the order (0, 1, 2) with respect to a reactant from the
5.1.1 g i shape of a graph?
Can you determine the rate constant for a first order reaction from the
5.1.1 g ii gradient?
Can you describe the techniques and procedures used to investigate
5.1.1 h reaction rates by the initial rates method and by continuous monitoring?
Can you predict the rate equation that is consistent with the rate-
5.1.1 i i determining step for a multi-step reaction?
Can you predict possible steps in a reaction mechanism from the rate
equation and the balanced equation for the overall reaction of a multi-step
5.1.1 i ii reaction?
Can you give a qualitative explanation of the effect of temperature change
5.1.1 j on the rate of a reaction, and therefore the rate constant?
Specification Checklist
reference questions
Can you describe the exponential relationship between the rate constant,
5.1.1 k i k, and temperature, T, given by the Arrhenius equation, k = Ae-Ea/RT
Can you determine Ea and A graphically using ln k = –Ea/RT + lnA derived
5.1.1 k ii from the Arrhenius equation?
Equilibrium
Specification Checklist
reference questions
5.1.2 a Can you use the terms mole fraction and partial pressure?
5.1.2 b Can you calculate quantities present at equilibrium?
Can you describe the techniques and procedures used to determine
5.1.2 c quantities present at equilibrium?
Can you write expression for Kc and Kp for homogeneous and
5.1.2 d heterogeneous equilibria?
Can you calculate Kc and Kp or related quantities, including determination
5.1.2 e of units?
Can you describe the qualitative effect on equilibrium constants of
5.1.2 f i changing temperature for exothermic and endothermic reactions?
Can you described the constancy of equilibrium constants with changes in
5.1.2 f ii concentration, pressure, or in the presence of a catalyst?
Can you explain of how an equilibrium constant controls the position of
5.1.2 g equilibrium on changing concentration, pressure and temperature?
Can you apply the above principles for Kc, Kp to other equilibrium
5.1.2 h constants, where appropriate?
20 Acids, bases, and pH
Specification Checklist
reference questions
Can you describe a Brønsted–Lowry acid as a species that donates a
5.1.3 a i proton and a Brønsted–Lowry base as a species that accepts a proton?
5.1.3 a ii Can you use the term conjugate acid–base pairs?
5.1.3 a iii Can you describe monobasic, dibasic, and tribasic acids?
Can you describe the role of H+ in the reactions of acids with metals and
bases (including carbonates, metal oxides and alkalis), using ionic
5.1.3 b ii equations?
Can you describe the acid dissociation constant, Ka, for the extent of acid
5.1.3 c i dissociation?
5.1.3 c ii Can you describe the relationship between Ka and pKa?
Can you use the expression for pH as:
pH = –log[H+]
5.1.3 d [H+] = 10–ph
5.1.3 e Can you use the expression for the ionic product of water, Kw?
5.1.3 f i Can you calculate pH for strong monobasic acids?
5.1.3 f ii Can you calculate pH for strong bases using Kw?
Can you calculate pH, Ka or related quantities, for a weak monobasic acid
5.1.3 g using approximations
Can you describe the limitations of using approximations to Ka related
5.1.3 h calculations for ‘stronger’ weak acids?
21 Buffers and neutralisation
Specification Checklist
reference questions
Can you describe a buffer solution as a system that minimises pH
5.1.3 i changes on addition of small amounts of an acid or a base?
Can you describe the formation of a buffer solution from a weak acid and
5.1.3 j i a salt of the weak acid, e.g. CH3COOH/CH3COONa?
Can you describe the formation of a buffer solution from excess of a weak
5.1.3 j ii acid and a strong alkali, e.g. excess CH3COOH/NaOH?
Can you explain the role of the conjugate acid–base pair in an acid buffer
5.1.3 k solution, e.g. CH3COOH/CH3COO , in the control of pH?
–
Can you calculate the pH of a buffer solution, from the Ka value of a weak
acid and the equilibrium concentrations of the conjugate acid–base pair;
5.1.3 l calculations of related quantities?
Can you explain of the control of blood pH by the carbonic acid–
5.1.3 m hydrogencarbonate buffer system
5.1.3 n i Can you sketch and interpret the shapes of pH titration curves?
Can you explain the choice of suitable indicators, given the pH range of
5.1.3 n ii the indicator, for pH titration curves?
Can you explain indicator colour changes in terms of equilibrium shift
5.1.3 n iii between the HA and A– forms of the indicator?
Can you describe the techniques and procedures used when measuring
5.1.3 o pH with a pH meter?
22 Enthalpy and entropy
Specification Checklist
reference questions
Can you explain the term lattice enthalpy (formation of 1 mol of ionic
lattice from gaseous ions, ΔLEH) and use as a measure of the strength of
5.2.1 a ionic bonding in a giant ionic lattice
Can you use the lattice enthalpy of a simple ionic solid and the relative
5.2.1 b i energy terms to construct Born–Haber cycles?
Can you use the lattice enthalpy of a simple ionic solid and the relative
5.2.1 b ii energy terms to describe related calculations?
5.2.1 c i Can you explain and use the term enthalpy change of solution?
5.2.1 c ii Can you explain and use the terms enthalpy change of hydration?
Can you use the enthalpy change of solution of a simple ionic solid and
5.2.1 d i relevant energy terms to construct enthalpy cycles?
Can you use the enthalpy change of solution of a simple ionic solid and
5.2.1 d ii relevant energy terms to describe related calculations?
Can you give qualitative explanation of the effect of ionic charge and ionic
radius on the exothermic value of a lattice enthalpy and enthalpy change
5.2.1 e of hydration?
5.2.2 a Can you calculate pH for strong monobasic acids?
5.2.2 b i Can you calculate pH for strong bases using Kw?
Can you calculate pH, Ka or related quantities, for a weak monobasic acid
5.2.2 b ii using approximations?
Can you describe the limitations of using approximations to Ka related
5.2.2 c calculations for ‘stronger’ weak acids?
Can you explain that the feasibility of a process depends upon the entropy
change and temperature in the system, TΔS, and the enthalpy change of
5.2.2 d the system, ΔH?
Specification Checklist
reference questions
Can you explain and calculate the free energy change, ΔG, as: ΔG = ΔH
– TΔS (the Gibbs’ equation) and that a process is feasible when ΔG has a
5.2.2 e negative value?
Can you describe the limitations of predictions made by ΔG about
5.2.2 f feasibility, in terms of kinetics?
23 Redox and electrode potentials
Specification Checklist
reference questions
5.2.3 a Can you explain and use of the terms oxidising agent and reducing agent?
Can you construct redox equations using half- equations and oxidation
5.2.3 b numbers?
5.2.3 c Can you interpret and predict reactions involving electron transfer?
Can you describe the techniques and procedures used when carrying out
5.2.3 d redox titrations including those involving Fe2+/MnO4– and I /S O 2−?
2 2 3
Can you carry out structured and non-structured titration calculations,
based on experimental results of redox titrations involving Fe2+/MnO4– and
5.2.3 e i I /S O 2−?
2 2 3
Can you carry out structured and non-structured titration calculations,
based on experimental results of redox titrations involving non-familiar
5.2.3 e ii redox systems?
Can you use the term standard electrode (redox) potential, E o including
5.2.3 f its measurement using a hydrogen electrode?
Can you describe the techniques and procedures used for the
measurement of cell potentials of metals or non-metals in contact with
5.2.3 g i their ions in aqueous solution?
Can you describe the techniques and procedures used for the
measurement of cell potentials of ions of the same element in different
5.2.3 g ii oxidation states in contact with a Pt electrode?
Specification Checklist
reference questions
Can you calculate a standard cell potential by combining two standard
5.2.3 h electrode potentials?
Can you predict the feasibility of a reaction using standard cell potentials
and the limitations of such predictions in terms of kinetics and
5.2.3 i concentration?
5.2.3 j Can you apply principles of electrode potentials to modern storage cells?
Can you explain that a fuel cell uses the energy from the reaction of a fuel
with oxygen to create a voltage and the changes that take place at each
5.2.3 k electrode?
24 Transition elements
Specification Checklist
reference questions
Can you describe the electron configuration of atoms and ions of the d-
5.3.1 a block elements of Period 4 (Sc–Zn), given the atomic number and charge?
Can you describe the elements Ti–Cu as transition elements i.e. d-block
5.3.1 b elements that have an ion with an incomplete d-sub-shell?
5.3.1 c i Can you show using examples the formation of coloured ions?
Can you show using examples the existence of more than one oxidation
5.3.1 c ii state for each element in its compounds?
Can you show using examples the catalytic behaviour of the elements and
their compounds and their importance in the manufacture of chemicals by
5.3.1 c iii industry?
Can you explain and use of the term ligand in terms of coordinate (dative
5.3.1 d covalent) bonding to a metal ion or metal, including bidentate ligands?
Can you use the terms complex ion and coordination number to show six-
5.3.1 e i fold coordination with an octahedral shape?
Specification Checklist
reference questions
Can you use the terms complex ion and coordination number to show
5.3.1 e ii four-fold coordination with either a planar of tetrahedral shape?
5.3.1 f i Can you describe cis–trans isomerism?
5.3.1 f ii Can you describe optical isomerism?
Can you describe the use of cis-platin as an anticancer drug and its action
5.3.1 g by binding to DNA preventing cell division?
Can you describe ligand substitution reactions and the accompanying
colour changes in the formation of [Cu(NH3)4(H2O)2] and [CuCl4] from
2+ 2–
5.3.1 h i [Cu(H2O)6] ?2+
Can you describe ligand substitution reactions and the accompanying
5.3.1 h ii colour changes in the formation of [Cr(NH3)6] from [Cr(H2O)6] ?
3+ 3+
Can you explain of the biochemical importance of iron in haemoglobin,
5.3.1 i including ligand substitution involving O2 and CO?
Can you describe reactions, including ionic equations, and the
accompanying colour changes of aqueous Cu , Fe , Fe , Mn and Cr with
2+ 2+ 3+ 2+ 3+
aqueous sodium hydroxide and aqueous ammonia, including precipitation
5.3.1 j i reactions?
Can you describe reactions, including ionic equations, and the
accompanying colour changes of aqueous Cu , Fe , Fe , Mn and Cr
2+ 2+ 3+ 2+ 3+
with aqueous sodium hydroxide and aqueous ammonia, including complex
5.3.1 j ii formation with excess aqueous sodium hydroxide and aqueous ammonia?
Can you recall redox reactions and accompanying colour changes for
5.3.1 k i interconversions between Fe2+ and Fe3+?
Can you recall redox reactions and accompanying colour changes for
5.3.1 k ii interconversions between Cr3+ and Cr2O72-?
Can you recall redox reactions and accompanying colour changes for
5.3.1 k iii interconversions between Cu+ and Cu2+?
Can you interpret and predict unfamiliar reactions including ligand
5.3.1 l substitution, precipitation, redox?