A Level Chemistry A OCR

This subject is broken down into 92 topics in 13 modules:

  1. Development of Practical Skills 5 topics
  2. Atoms and Reactions 13 topics
  3. Electrons, Bonding and Structure 5 topics
  4. The Periodic Table 7 topics
  5. Physical Chemistry 5 topics
  6. Basic Concepts and Hydrocarbons 5 topics
  7. Alcohols, Haloalkanes and Analysis 5 topics
  8. Rates, Equilibrium and pH 12 topics
  9. Energy 11 topics
  10. Transition Elements 5 topics
  11. Aromatic Compounds and Carbonyls 8 topics
  12. Nitrogen, Compounds, Polymers and Synthesis 7 topics
  13. Analysis 4 topics
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  • 13
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  • 92
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  • 33,934
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  • 4+
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This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Chemistry A

Development of Practical Skills

Planning Experiments

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Planning Experiments

Practical Skills: Planning Experiments

Understand the Objective

  • Grasp the purpose or aim of the experiment.
  • Identify the problem or question the experiment intends to address.
  • Make sure you comprehend any theories or concepts related to the experiment.

Formulating a Hypothesis

  • Predict the likely outcome of the experiment based on existing knowledge or theory.
  • Formulate a testable hypothesis that can be confirmed or refuted by the experiment.

Experimental Design

  • Identify the variables in the experiment: independent, dependent, and controlled.
  • Plan how you'll manage these variables to ensure a fair and controlled experiment.
  • Outline the steps of the experiment, known as the experimental procedure.
  • Consider repeating measurements to increase reliability and reduce anomalies.

Selection of Equipment and Materials

  • Choose suitable lab equipment and chemicals needed for the experiment.
  • Make sure you understand the function and proper usage of each equipment piece.
  • Ensure the available materials are appropriate for the experiment's aim and scale.

Safety Consideration

  • Evaluate any potential risks or hazards associated with the experiment.
  • Determine the necessary safety precautions to minimise these risks.
  • Plan how to respond to any possible emergencies during the experiment.

Data Collection Plan

  • Decide how you will record and organise your data, including units of measurement.
  • Plan for any necessary calculations or data conversions.
  • Ensure the data collection method suits the hypothesis and experiment design.

Analysis and Interpretation

  • Think about how you will analyse and interpret the data from your experiment.
  • Plan how to represent your results graphically if necessary.
  • Ponder the potential impact of errors, anomalies or uncertainties on your results.

Evaluation and Conclusion

  • Design a method for evaluating the success of your experiment.
  • Contemplate the criteria you'll use to draw conclusions from your results.

Course material for Chemistry A, module Development of Practical Skills, topic Planning Experiments

Chemistry A

Rates, Equilibrium and pH

Reaction Orders

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Reaction Orders

Reaction Orders

Definition:

  • The order of reaction with respect to a particular reactant is given by the power to which its concentration term in the rate equation is raised.
  • For example, in the rate equation rate = k[A]^m[B]^n, m is the order of reaction with respect to A and n is the order of reaction with respect to B.

Zero Order Reactions:

  • A reaction is zero order with respect to a reactant if changing its concentration has no effect on the rate of reaction. This means its concentration does not appear in the rate equation.
  • For zero order reactions, the rate of reaction remains constant over time, resulting in a linear decrease of reactant concentration with time.

First Order Reactions:

  • A reaction is first order with respect to a reactant if doubling its concentration doubles the rate of reaction. This means its concentration is to the power of 1 in the rate equation.
  • For first order reactions, the rate of reaction is directly proportional to the concentration of one reactant only.
  • First order reactions have a constant half-life.

Second Order Reactions:

  • A reaction is second order with respect to a reactant if doubling its concentration quadruples the rate of reaction. This means its concentration is to the power of 2 in the rate equation.
  • For second order reactions, the rate of reaction is directly proportional to the square of the concentration of one reactant, or to the concentrations of two different reactants.
  • Second order reactions do not have a constant half-life.

Determining Reaction Order:

  • Reaction order can be determined experimentally by measuring how the rate of reaction changes as the concentrations of the reactants change.
  • This can be done using the method of initial rates or by plotting a concentration-time graph or a rate-concentration graph.

Course material for Chemistry A, module Rates, Equilibrium and pH, topic Reaction Orders

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