Unit 1: Structures, trends, chemical reactions, quantitative chemistry and analysis

What are atoms made up of? How did scientists’ ideas about atoms change over time? What are protons, neutrons and electrons?

What is the difference between ionic, covalent and metallic bonding? What are dot and cross diagrams? How are they interpreted?

What are covalent and ionic compounds and structures? How do these two types of bonds lead to different physical properties in substances?

What are nanoparticles? What are they used for? What is their surface area to volume ratio?

What are symbols, formulae and equations? How do they help chemists explain chemical reactions in detail?

What is the history and structure of the periodic table? How do groups and periods work? How does reactivity change across the table?

What are relative atomic masses? What are relative formula masses? How are these used in chemistry to carry out mole calculations?

How do indicators show whether a solution is acidic, alkaline or neutral? What makes acids and alkalis strong or weak? How do acids react with different substances?

How are chemicals analysed and separated using filtration; crystallisation; paper chromatography; simple and fractional distillation; and flame tests?

What does solubility mean? How does temperature affect the solubility of solids and gases? What happens to a saturated solution when it is cooled?