Edexcel International A Level Chemistry Topic 5 Alkenes banner showing a carbon carbon double bond with CH3 and hydrogen groups attached

Alkenes – Topic 5

(6 customer reviews)

£34.99

Associated Courses

Alkenes Topic 5

The Topic 5 course on Edexcel International A Level Chemistry provides approximately 17 hours of guided learning. Students work through four recorded video lessons, 90 marks of auto-marked MCQ practice, 332 marks of teacher-marked written questions, and a personalised spec-point progress report.

Guided Learning
17 Hours
total study time
Video Lessons
143 mins
4 recorded lessons
MCQ Assessments
90 Marks
5 quizzes
SAQ Assessments
332 Marks
12 quizzes

How the 17 guided learning hours are worked out

Guided learning hours are calculated from the actual contents of the course, not estimated. Video time is counted at its true running length, MCQs at 1.5 minutes per question, written answers at 1.5 minutes per mark, and time is allowed for reading the feedback returned on every quiz.

ComponentTime
Virtual lesson video143 min
MCQ practice (90 questions × 1.5 min)135 min
MCQ feedback review (5 quizzes × 10 min)50 min
SAQ practice (332 marks × 1.5 min)498 min
SAQ feedback review (12 quizzes × 15 min)180 min
Total1006 min ≈ 17 hours

The four recorded lessons

The virtual lesson is delivered as four recorded lessons totalling 143 minutes. Students pause during exam-practice sections, attempt questions independently, then review the worked explanations and the mark-scheme approach.

LessonRunning time
1. Alkene Bonding25 min
2. Geometric Isomerism in Alkenes33 min
3. Electrophilic Addition Reactions of Alkenes58 min
4. Polymerisation of Alkenes and Polymer Waste27 min
Total video143 min

Course preview

A short walkthrough of how the course is taught and how the assessment fits together.

At a glance

What you get in this course

143 minutes of guided video

Four recorded lessons covering Topic 5 in full, with worked exam questions and mark-scheme strategy built into the teaching.

90 marks of MCQ practice

5 auto-marked quizzes of 18 questions each, with diagnostic feedback on every option. One attempt per quiz, so your scores track real progress.

332 marks of written practice

12 written-answer quizzes (170 questions) marked by a chemistry specialist, with per-mark feedback returned the following Monday.

Complete spec-point coverage

All 26 assessable Edexcel IAL spec points in Topic 5 carry questions in the bank.

Exam-technique baked in

The lessons teach the chemistry and the exam wording. You learn what Edexcel actually rewards, not just the content.

Personalised progress report

A one-click PDF report shows your level on every spec point in colour-coded form.

What is KASP Analytics?

KASP (Knowledge Analytics & Spec-point Platform) tracks your progress at the level of individual specification points, not just whole quizzes. Every question on this course is mapped to the Edexcel IAL spec point it assesses, so you always know exactly which parts of the specification you have mastered and which need another look.

Spec points tracked
26
Topic 5
26 spec points
Questions tagged
260
Every assessable spec point is covered

All 26 assessable Edexcel IAL spec points in Topic 5 carry at least one question in this course – there are no untested spec points. Across the 90 MCQ and 170 SAQ questions, most spec points are assessed several times over, in both question styles.

Your topic dashboard

Every topic you have worked through is summarised here. At a glance you see how many questions you have attempted, what is still waiting to be marked, your total marks scored, and an overall score percentage. The dashboard below is an example, filled with the real topic structure of this course.

Hello, Sara – here is how you are doing

Edexcel IAL Chemistry
TopicQuestions attemptedPendingMarks (scored / available)Score
Topic 5: Alkenes26 / 32541.50 / 58.0072%

Spec-point breakdown for a topic

Click into any topic and you see the full spec-point breakdown. Each row is a single Edexcel IAL spec point with its official wording, how many questions the bank holds against it, your score, and a colour that tells you immediately where to focus. The spec points and question counts below are the real ones from this course; the scores are an example.

Spec tagDescriptionAttemptedIn bankMarksScore
5.2-abe able to explain geometric isomerism in terms of restricted rotation around a C=C double bond4 / 4228.00 / 8.00100.0%
5.2-bbe able to explain geometric isomerism in terms of the nature of the substituents on the carbon atoms5 / 5219.00 / 11.0081.8%
5.3-aunderstand the E-Z naming system for geometric isomers5 / 5207.00 / 12.0058.3%
5.4ibe able to describe the reactions of alkenes, limited to: the addition of hydrogen, using a nickel catalyst, to form an alkane3 / 3174.00 / 6.0066.7%
5.4vbe able to describe the reactions of alkenes, limited to: oxidation of the double bond by acidified potassium manganate(VII) to produce a diol4 / 4185.00 / 9.0055.6%
5.6ii-abe able to describe the electrophilic addition mechanism of hydrogen bromide to propene, including diagrams and evidence where possible3 / 4183.00 / 8.0037.5%
5.6ii-buse curly arrow notation in electrophilic addition mechanisms, with curly arrows starting from a bond or lone pair of electrons2 / 3222.00 / 7.0028.6%
5.6ii-cknow the relative stability of primary, secondary and tertiary carbocation intermediates0 / 326–Not yet attempted
■ Green 70–100%: secure mastery■ Orange 40–69%: some gaps■ Red 0–39%: needs attention■ Grey: not yet assessed

Printable progress report

One click and you can download a clean, branded Progress Report PDF for the topic. Useful for your own revision folder, for parents to see at a glance, or for tutors to plan focused sessions. Every spec point in the topic appears with its code and full requirement text, and the level column is colour-coded green through red.

A Level Chemistry progress report for Alkenes Topic 5 Edexcel International showing student performance across specification points with colour coded levels for understanding
At a glance

What you get with KASP Analytics

Spec-point level tracking

Every question is tagged to the exact Edexcel IAL spec point it assesses, so your scores roll up cleanly to the specification.

Updates automatically

Submit a quiz and your dashboard updates right away. Short-answer questions appear as pending until they have been marked.

Built for Edexcel IAL

Wording, codes and topic structure follow the Edexcel International A Level Chemistry specification exactly, so your scores line up with the document you will be examined on.

Printable report

One-click PDF Progress Report per topic, in the same colour system, ready for your folder or for a tutor session.

Both question styles counted

MCQ and written answers feed the same spec point. With 90 MCQ and 170 SAQ questions tagged, a weak area shows up whether you miss it under multiple choice or in writing.

Progress over time

A simple line chart shows how your overall score has trended across the days you have been studying.

What is the MCQ Bank?

The MCQ Bank for Topic 5 is an auto-marked, instant-feedback practice engine built from past Edexcel IAL paper questions. It runs to 5 quizzes, 90 questions and 90 marks. Every question is tagged to a specific Edexcel IAL spec point, every option carries diagnostic feedback explaining the chemistry, and every quiz attempt feeds directly into your KASP Analytics dashboard.

Quizzes
5
Questions
90
Marks
90
Attempts
1 per quiz

Try a real Topic 5 MCQ

This is a genuine question from the bank, reproduced exactly as it appears in the course. Click any option to reveal the diagnostic feedback for that choice, then expand the panel at the bottom for the full walkthrough.

Major product in addition of HCl to but-1-ene

5.6ii-c (Edexcel IAL)1 mark

When hydrogen chloride, HCl, reacts with but-1-ene, a higher percentage of 2-chlorobutane forms than 1-chlorobutane. Which is the best explanation for this?

Click an option to see feedback

A1-chlorobutane is more stable than 2-chlorobutane
Incorrect

This is incorrect because product stability is not the best explanation for the major product. The key factor is the stability of the carbocation intermediate formed during electrophilic addition.

B2-chlorobutane is more stable than 1-chlorobutane
Incorrect

This identifies the major product but gives the wrong reason. The reaction pathway is controlled mainly by the relative stability of the carbocation intermediate.

Ca primary carbocation is more stable than a secondary carbocation
Incorrect

This reverses the correct stability order. A secondary carbocation is more stable than a primary carbocation due to electron donation from alkyl groups.

Da secondary carbocation is more stable than a primary carbocation
Correct

This is correct because the pathway forming the secondary carbocation is favoured. Chloride ion then attacks this intermediate to form more 2-chlorobutane.

Show correct answer & full explanation →
General feedback

The major product in addition of HCl to an unsymmetrical alkene is controlled by the stability of the carbocation intermediate.

  • Addition of H+ to but-1-ene can form either a primary or a secondary carbocation.
  • The secondary carbocation is more stable than the primary, so it forms in greater amounts.
  • Chloride ion then attacks the more abundant secondary carbocation, giving 2-chlorobutane as the major product.

The correct answer is therefore D.

5 quizzes, 90 marks of MCQ practice

The MCQ Bank runs as a single set of quizzes across the topic. Quizzes hold 18 questions worth one mark each, and each quiz is a single auto-marked attempt. Because every spec point is tested across several quizzes, your KASP scores reveal real improvement as you work through them.

Topic 5: Alkenes

5 quizzes · 90 marks
MCQ A
18
questions & marks
MCQ B
18
questions & marks
MCQ C
18
questions & marks
MCQ D
18
questions & marks
MCQ E
18
questions & marks
90 total marks90 questions in totalOne attempt per quizAuto-marked on submit
At a glance

What you get with the MCQ Bank

90 marks across 5 quizzes

Five quizzes of 18 questions each, giving balanced coverage of every spec point in Topic 5.

Instant auto-marking

Submit and the result is back in your hands inside a second. No waiting, no manual checking.

Diagnostic feedback per option

Every wrong option carries a tailored explanation of the misconception, not just a generic ‘incorrect’, plus a full walkthrough on every question.

Spec-point tagged

Each question is mapped to the Edexcel IAL spec point it assesses, so your score flows straight into KASP Analytics.

Track improvement across quizzes

One attempt per quiz, but the same spec points appear across the set. Your scores from quiz to quiz show genuine progress, not repeat-attempt inflation.

Built from past papers

Every MCQ is sourced from genuine Edexcel IAL past papers, with the wording polished for clarity and the chemistry verified.

What is the SAQ Bank?

The SAQ Bank for Topic 5 is a written-answer practice engine marked by a real chemistry specialist. It runs to 12 quizzes, 170 questions and 332 marks. You attempt one quiz per week, submit your full written response, and your teacher returns mark-by-mark feedback the following Monday. Every comment is targeted at the exam wording you need to use.

Quizzes
12
Questions
170
Marks
332
Marks per quiz
27–30

A submitted SAQ and the feedback it gets

This is a genuine question from the bank with its real mark scheme. The submitted answer below is an example of a typical response at this standard. Expand the panel to see how it was marked.

Comparing the σ and π bonds of a C=C double bond

5.1-d / 5.1-e (Edexcel IAL)3 marks

A carbon to carbon double bond consists of a σ bond and a π bond.

Compare the σ bond and the π bond in terms of how the orbitals overlap, and explain why the π bond is the one that breaks when an alkene undergoes an addition reaction.

Submitted answer

The sigma bond is made when two orbitals overlap head-on along the line between the two carbon nuclei. The pi bond is made when a p orbital on each carbon overlaps sideways, above and below the plane of the molecule. The pi bond is the one that breaks in an addition reaction.

View returned feedback →
Returned by your chemistry specialist2 / 3 · 67%
Mark scheme
Criterion
✓The sigma bond is formed by head-on (axial) overlap of orbitals directly along the line joining the two carbon nuclei.
Awarded – ‘head-on’ and ‘along the line between the nuclei’ is exactly the wording wanted.
✓The pi bond is formed by sideways (parallel) overlap of a p orbital on each carbon, above and below the plane of the molecule.
Awarded – sideways overlap of a p orbital on each carbon, correctly placed above and below the plane.
✗Sideways overlap is less effective than head-on overlap, so the pi bond is weaker and more exposed and breaks in preference to the sigma bond during addition.
Not awarded. You stated that the π bond breaks but never said why. The mark needs the causal link: sideways overlap is less effective than head-on overlap, so the π bond is weaker and its electron density is more exposed, and it therefore breaks in preference to the σ bond.
Teacher comment

The first two marks are cleanly earned, Sara – your description of the two types of overlap is accurate and well placed. The third mark is where most students lose out on this question, and you have lost it the same way: you told the examiner what happens but not why. Any time a question says ‘explain’, look for the causal step. Here it is: less effective sideways overlap → weaker, more exposed π bond → breaks first, leaving the carbon skeleton intact. Learn that chain and this becomes a full-mark answer.

A predictable weekly rhythm over 12 weeks

One quiz per week across the 12 quizzes, so the SAQ Bank runs as a 12-week programme. Submit anywhere from Monday to Friday, marking happens over the weekend, and you receive your feedback by the following Monday. The rhythm is the same every week so you always know when to expect a return.

Mon
Submit
Tue
Submit
Wed
Submit
Thu
Submit
Fri
Submit
Sat
Marking
Sun
Marking
Mon
Returned

One attempt per quiz, one quiz submitted per week. Because the same spec points reappear across the 12 quizzes, your scores over the programme show genuine improvement – not repeat-attempt inflation. The weekly cap also keeps the marking load manageable so your feedback stays genuinely thorough.

12 quizzes, 332 marks of written practice

The SAQ Bank holds 170 questions and 332 marks between its 12 quizzes. Quizzes run to 27–30 marks and between 11 and 17 questions depending on how the marks fall, with the parts of any one original exam question kept together in the same quiz. They draw from past Edexcel IAL written-paper questions across Topic 5.

Topic 5: Alkenes

12 quizzes · 332 marks
SAQ A
30
marks · 15 questions
SAQ B
28
marks · 16 questions
SAQ C
29
marks · 17 questions
SAQ D
27
marks · 11 questions
SAQ E
27
marks · 13 questions
SAQ F
27
marks · 13 questions
SAQ G
28
marks · 12 questions
SAQ H
28
marks · 14 questions
SAQ I
27
marks · 17 questions
SAQ J
27
marks · 15 questions
SAQ K
27
marks · 14 questions
SAQ L
27
marks · 13 questions
332 total marks170 questions1 quiz per week, over 12 weeksReturned the following Monday

What the written questions ask you to do

The bank is not all prose. Alongside written explanations you are asked to draw structures and mechanisms and to work through calculations, all marked by hand against the same mark scheme.

Question styleQuestionsWhat it asks for
Written answer91Explanations, descriptions, equations and definitions, marked against the exam mark scheme point by point.
Drawing62Structural and displayed formulae, skeletal structures and mechanism steps, drawn on screen and marked by the specialist.
Calculation15Quantitative work shown in full, so method marks can be awarded even when the final answer is wrong.
Graph2Plotting points, drawing a line of best fit and reading values off it, marked against the same tolerance an examiner would apply.
Total170
At a glance

What you get with the SAQ Bank

332 marks across 12 quizzes

Twelve quizzes, SAQ A through SAQ L, holding 170 questions between them at 27–30 marks per quiz.

Marked by a chemistry specialist

Not auto-graded, not AI-scored. A subject specialist reads your answer end-to-end and writes the comments by hand.

Per-mark feedback

Every mark in the scheme is checked off explicitly. You see exactly which marks you earned and what wording the missed ones needed.

Predictable weekly turnaround

Submit by Friday, marked over the weekend, feedback returned by Monday. One quiz per week; one attempt per quiz; 12 weeks end to end.

Exam-board wording focus

Feedback teaches the precise language the Edexcel mark scheme rewards, so the next time the topic appears you write to score.

Feeds your KASP dashboard

Every SAQ is spec-point tagged. Once marked, your scores flow into KASP Analytics alongside your MCQ results.

6 reviews for Alkenes – Topic 5

  1. Fatima (verified owner) –

    I failed my first attempt of unit 1 edexcel international chemistry, mainly because i did not understand alkenes topic because our teacher was terrible at organic chemistry. I was a few marks away from passing! im so happy I came across this website, because it allows me to just purchase the topic i need help in! the study notes was amazing, you are tested with questions, and then the video with the chemistry specialist is absolutely shockingly amazing, he goes through the topic in detail and goes through exam questions step by step, with thought processes on how to approach specific exam questions and what the examiner wants! Then there is a quiz (exam questions) that he marks and returns with a report specifying which parts of the specification related to alkenes i need to work on. Then there is a bunch of exam multiple choice questions with instant feedback which was very helpful with short answer written exam questiosn that he also marks with feedback! The amount you get for this price is shocking! it may seem expensive at first, but i was paying approximately half the amount of this course for 1 hour of tuition, and i had 3 hours tuition a week! Highly recommend this course!!!

  2. Khan (verified owner) –

    The course taught by the Chemistry Specialist helped improve my confidence in Chemistry and made the subject much clearer to understand. The lessons were very structured, and the recorded videos explain the topics clearly while answering the kinds of questions students often have when learning the material. What I found especially useful was being able to practise using the MCQs, SAQs, and assignments, which helped reinforce the concepts rather than just looking at a mark scheme. The explanations focus on understanding the chemistry behind the questions, which makes it easier to apply the knowledge in exam-style problems. The course also helped increase my overall confidence because everything is organised clearly and the practice questions allow you to test your understanding as you progress. Overall, every lesson felt beneficial and helped build a stronger understanding of the topic.

  3. Jumana (verified owner) –

    The course taught by the Chemistry Specialist has really improved my confidence in Chemistry, and I now feel much more confident with the subject than before. What I found most helpful was the way the content explains how and why things work rather than just asking us to memorise facts. The recorded lesson videos break down complex ideas clearly, and the diagrams and visual explanations make the theory much easier to understand. The MCQs, SAQs, and assignments also helped a lot because they allowed me to practise applying the concepts and check my understanding as I worked through the course. Everything feels well structured and clearly prepared, which makes it easier to see the bigger picture of the topic. Using the course resources also helped me become more consistent with revising previous topics and practising exam-style questions. Overall, the course made Chemistry feel much more approachable and less intimidating because difficult concepts are explained step by step and supported with practice questions that help reinforce what you learn.

  4. Latifa (verified owner) –

    The Topic 5 Alkenes course helped increase my confidence in Chemistry a lot. The lesson materials and resources were very organised, which made it easy to follow the topic without worrying about where to find things. The recorded explanations and practice questions helped me understand the concepts more clearly, and the course overall helped improve my understanding of the topic significantly.

  5. Linda (verified owner) –

    The Topic 5 Alkenes course really helped improve my confidence in Chemistry. The videos explain the topics step by step and make the harder ideas much easier to understand. I also found the diagrams and examples really helpful because they show how the theory actually works instead of just memorising it. Overall it made the topic feel much clearer and easier to revise.

  6. Sara (verified owner) –

    I studied the T5 Alkenes course from Abu Dhabi and it really helped improve my confidence with the topic. The Chemistry Specialist explains complex ideas in a very clear and simple way, which made the reactions and mechanisms much easier to understand. The lessons are very well organised and the recorded videos meant I could go back and review anything I didn’t fully understand. The notes and online quizzes were also really helpful for reinforcing the material and preparing for exam-style questions. Overall, the course made the topic much easier to grasp and helped me focus on actually understanding the chemistry rather than just memorising it.

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Exam Board Alignment

Alkenes Topic 5 Edexcel International A Level Chemistry

This course covers the following Edexcel IAL Chemistry specification points:

5.1
know the general formula of alkenes and understand that alkenes and cycloalkenes are hydrocarbons which are unsaturated, having a C=C double bond consisting of a σ bond and a π bond
5.2
be able to explain geometric isomerism in terms of restricted rotation around a C=C double bond and the nature of the substituents on the carbon atoms
5.3
understand the E–Z naming system for geometric isomers and why it is necessary to use this when the cis- and trans- naming system breaks down
5.4
be able to describe the reactions of alkenes, limited to the addition of:
ihydrogen, using a nickel catalyst, to form an alkane
iihalogens to produce a di-substituted halogenoalkane
iiihydrogen halides to produce mono-substituted halogenoalkanes
ivsteam, in the presence of an acid catalyst, to produce alcohols
voxidation of the double bond by acidified potassium manganate(VII) to produce a diol
5.5
know the qualitative test for a C=C double bond using bromine or bromine water
5.6
be able to describe the mechanism (including diagrams) of:
ithe electrophilic addition of bromine and hydrogen bromide to ethene
iithe electrophilic addition of hydrogen bromide to propene
Use of the curly arrow notation is expected. Curly arrows should start from either a bond or from a lone pair of electrons. Knowledge of the relative stability of primary, secondary and tertiary carbocation intermediates is expected.
5.7
be able to describe the addition polymerisation of alkenes and draw the repeat unit given the monomer, and vice versa
5.8
understand how chemists limit the problems caused by polymer disposal by:
ideveloping biodegradable polymers
iiremoving toxic waste gases produced by the incineration of polymers

Complete Topic Package

Learn the content, practise exam questions, and identify exactly where marks are being lost.

This course combines guided video teaching, diagnostic MCQs, teacher-marked written assessment, and detailed specification reporting for Edexcel IAL Chemistry.

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