Specification
Module 3
reference
Periodicity
Can you describe the periodic table as the arrangement of elements by
3.1.1 a i
increasing atomic (proton) number?
Can you describe the periodic table as the arrangement of elements in
3.1.1 a ii periods showing repeating trends in physical and chemical properties
(periodicity)?
Can you describe the periodic table as the arrangement of elements in
3.1.1 a iii
groups having similar chemical properties?
Can you explain the periodic trend in electron configurations across
3.1.1 b i
Periods 2 and 3?
3.1.1 b ii Can you classify elements into s-, p- and d-blocks?
Can you describe first ionisation energy (removal of 1 mol of electrons
3.1.1 c
from 1 mol of gaseous atoms) and successive ionisation energies?
Can you explain the trend in first ionisation energies across
3.1.1 c i Periods 2 and 3, and down a group, in terms of attraction, nuclear
charge and atomic radius?
Can you predict from successive ionisation energies of the number of
3.1.1 c ii
electrons in each shell of an atom and the group of an element?
Can you explain metallic bonding as strong electrostatic attraction
3.1.1 d i
between cations (positive ions) and delocalised electrons
3.1.1 d ii Can you explain a giant metallic lattice structure (e.g. all metals)?
Can you explain solid giant covalent lattices of carbon (diamond,
3.1.1 e graphite and graphene) and silicon as networks of atoms bonded by
strong covalent bonds?
Can you describe the physical properties of giant metallic and giant
3.1.1 f covalent lattices, including melting and boiling points, solubility and
electrical conductivity in terms of structure and bonding?
Can you explain the variation in melting points across Periods 2 and 3
3.1.1 g
in terms of structure and bonding?
Specification
Module 3
reference
Reactivity trends
Can you describe the outer shell s2 electron configuration and the loss of
3.1.2 a
these electrons in redox reactions to form 2+ ions?
Can you describe the relative reactivities of the Group 2 elements Mg →
3.1.2 b i
Ba shown by their redox reactions with oxygen?
Can you describe the relative reactivities of the Group 2 elements Mg →
3.1.2 b ii
Ba shown by their redox reactions with water?
Can you describe the relative reactivities of the Group 2 elements Mg →
3.1.2 b iii
Ba shown by their redox reactions with dilute acids?
Can you explain the trend in reactivity in terms of the first and second
3.1.2 c
ionisation energies of Group 2 elements down the group?
Can you describe the action of water on Group 2 oxides and the
3.1.2 d approximate pH of any resulting solutions, including the trend of
increasing alkalinity?
Can you describe uses of some Group 2 compounds as bases, including
3.1.2 e i equations, for example (but not limited to) Ca(OH)2 in agriculture to
neutralise acid soils?
Can you describe uses of some Group 2 compounds as bases, including
3.1.2 e ii equations, for example (but not limited to) Mg(OH)2 and CaCO3 as
‘antacids’ in treating indigestion?
Can you explain the existence of halogens as diatomic molecules and
3.1.3 a explanation of the trend in the boiling points of Cl2, Br2 and I2, in terms of
induced dipole–dipole interactions (London forces)?
Can you describe the outer shell s2p5 electron configuration and the
3.1.3 b
gaining of one electron in many redox reactions to form 1– ions?
Can you explain the trend in reactivity of the halogens Cl2, Br2 and I2,
3.1.3 c
illustrated by reaction with other halide ions?
Can you explain the trend in reactivity from the decreasing ease of forming
3.1.3 d
1– ions, in terms of attraction, atomic radius and electron shielding?
Specification
Module 3
reference
Can you explain the term disproportionation as oxidation and reduction of
3.1.3 e i the same element, illustrated by the reaction of chlorine with water as
used in water purification?
Can you explain the term disproportionation as oxidation and reduction of
3.1.3 e ii the same element, illustrated by the reaction of chlorine with cold, dilute
aqueous sodium hydroxide, as used to form bleach?
Can you explain the term disproportionation as oxidation and reduction of
3.1.3 e iii
the same element, illustrated by analogous reactions?
Can you list and describe the benefits of chlorine use in water treatment
3.1.3 f
contrasted with associated risks?
Can you describe the precipitation reactions, including ionic equations, of
3.1.3 g the aqueous anions Cl–, Br– and I– with aqueous silver ions, followed by
aqueous ammonia, and their use as a test for different halide ions?
3.1.4 a Can you analyse ions on a test-tube scale?
Can you list and describe the processes and techniques needed to identify
the following anions in an unknown compound?
CO32–, by reaction with H+(aq) forming CO2(g)
3.1.4 a i
SO42– , by precipitation with Ba2+(aq) forming CO2(g)
Cl–, Br–, I–
Can you list and describe the processes and techniques needed to identify
the following cations in an unknown compound?
3.1.4 a ii
NH4+, by reaction with warm NaOH(aq) forming NH3
Enthalpy
Can you explain that some chemical reactions are accompanied by
3.2.1 a enthalpy changes that are exothermic (∆H, negative) or endothermic (∆H,
positive)?
Can you construct enthalpy profile diagrams to show the difference in the
3.2.1 b
enthalpy of reactants compared with products?
Specification
Module 3
reference
Can you explain the term activation energy, including use of enthalpy
3.2.1 c
profile diagrams?
Can you explain and use the terms standard conditions and standard
3.2.1 d i
states (physical states under standard conditions)?
Can you explain and use the term enthalpy change of reaction (enthalpy
3.2.1 d ii
change associated with a stated equation, ∆rH)?
Can you explain and use the term enthalpy change of formation (formation
3.2.1 d iii
of 1 mol of a compound from its elements, ∆fH)?
Can you explain and use the term enthalpy change of combustion
3.2.1 d iv
(complete combustion of 1 mol of a substance, ∆cH)?
Can you explain and use the term enthalpy change of neutralisation
3.2.1 d v
(formation of 1 mol of water from neutralisation, ∆neutH)?
Can you determine enthalpy changes directly from appropriate
3.2.1 e
experimental results, including use of the relationship q = mc∆T?
Can you explain the term average bond enthalpy (breaking of 1 mol of
3.2.1 f i
bonds in gaseous molecules)?
Can you explain exothermic and endothermic reactions in terms of
3.2.1 f ii enthalpy changes associated with the breaking and making of chemical
bonds?
Can you use average bond enthalpies to calculate enthalpy changes and
3.2.1 f iii
related quantities?
Can you describe Hess’ law for construction of enthalpy cycles and
3.2.1 g i calculations to determine indirectly an enthalpy change of reaction from
enthalpy changes of combustion?
Can you describe Hess’ law for construction of enthalpy cycles and
3.2.1 g ii calculations to determine indirectly an enthalpy change of reaction from
enthalpy changes of formation?
Can you describe Hess’ law for construction of enthalpy cycles and
3.2.1 g iii calculations to determine indirectly enthalpy changes from unfamiliar
enthalpy cycles?
Specification
Module 3
reference
Can you list and describe the techniques and procedures used to
3.2.1 h
determine enthalpy changes directly and indirectly?
Reaction rates and equilibrium
Can you describe the effect of concentration, including the pressure of
3.2.2 a
gases, on the rate of a reaction, in terms of frequency of collisions?
Can you calculate reaction rate from the gradients of graphs measuring
3.2.2 b
how a physical quantity changes with time?
Can you explain the role of a catalyst in increasing reaction rate without
3.2.2 c i
being used up by the overall reaction?
Can you explain the role of a catalyst in allowing a reaction to proceed via
3.2.2 c ii a different route with lower activation energy, as shown by enthalpy profile
diagrams?
3.2.2 d i Can you explain the terms homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts?
Can you explain that catalysts have great economic importance and
benefits for increased sustainability by lowering temperatures and
3.2.2 d ii
reducing energy demand from combustion of fossil fuels with resulting
reduction in CO2 emissions?
Can you list and describe the techniques an procedures used to
3.2.2 e investigate reaction rates including the measurement of mass, gas
volumes and time?
Can you explain the Boltzmann distribution and its relationship with
3.2.2 f
activation energy?
Can you explain, using Boltzmann distributions, of the qualitative effect on
3.2.2 g i the proportion of molecules exceeding the activation energy and hence
the reaction rate, for temperature changes?
Can you explain, using Boltzmann distributions, of the qualitative effect on
3.2.2 g ii the proportion of molecules exceeding the activation energy and hence
the reaction rate, for catalytic behaviour?
Specification
Module 3
reference
Can you explain that a dynamic equilibrium exists in a closed system
3.2.3 a when the rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the reverse
reaction and the concentrations of reactants and products do not change?
Can you explain le Chatelier’s principle and its application for
3.2.3 b homogeneous equilibria to deduce qualitatively the effect of a change in
temperature, pressure or concentration on the position of equilibrium?
Can you explain that a catalyst increases the rate of both forward and
3.2.3 c reverse reactions in an equilibrium by the same amount resulting in an
unchanged position of equilibrium?
Can you list and describe the techniques and procedures used to
3.2.3 d investigate changes to the position of equilibrium for changes in
concentration and temperature?
Can you explain the importance to the chemical industry of a compromise
3.2.3 e between chemical equilibrium and reaction rate in deciding the operational
conditions?
Can you give expressions for the equilibrium constant, Kc for
3.2.3 f homogeneous reactions and calculations of the equilibrium constant, Kc
from provided equilibrium concentrations?
3.2.3 g Can you estimate the position of equilibrium from the magnitude of Kc?