Core Practicals

CP1: Molar Volume of a Gas

Measure the molar volume of a gas and connect volume measurements with moles, gas volume and experimental uncertainty.

CP2: Enthalpy Change via Hess’s Law

Use Hess’s Law to determine an enthalpy change indirectly from experimental temperature-change data.

CP3: Concentration of HCl by Titration

Find the concentration of hydrochloric acid using titration, concordant results and mole ratio calculations.

CP4: Preparation of a Standard Solution

Prepare a standard solution accurately using a balance, volumetric flask and careful transfer technique.

CP5: Hydrolysis of Halogenoalkanes

Compare rates of hydrolysis of halogenoalkanes and link observations to carbon-halogen bond strength.

CP6: Chlorination of 2-methylpropan-2-ol

Prepare a chloroalkane from 2-methylpropan-2-ol and revise separation, purification and safe organic technique.

CP7: Oxidation of Propan-1-ol

Oxidise propan-1-ol and revise distillation, reflux, aldehyde formation and carboxylic acid formation.

CP8: Analysis of Inorganic and Organic Unknowns

Use qualitative tests to identify inorganic ions and organic functional groups from observations.

CP 9a and 9b Iodine–Propanone Kinetics and a Clock Reaction

Following reaction rates: the iodination of propanone by titration (zero order in iodine), the iodine clock reaction, initial rates from 1/t, rate equations, mechanism, errors and uncertainty.

CP 10 Finding the Activation Energy of a Reaction

Finding the activation energy of a reaction: a clock reaction at five temperatures, the Arrhenius plot of ln(1/t) against 1/T, gradient = −Eₐ/R, the worked calculation, errors and improvements.

CP 11 Finding the Ka Value for a Weak Acid

Finding the Ka of a weak acid: pH meter calibration, Ka from pH, half-neutralisation and pH = pKa, the weak acid pH curve, indicators, buffer action and errors.

CP 12 Investigating Electrochemical Cells

Measuring cell potentials: half-cells, salt bridge, high-resistance voltmeter, E⦵cell = +1.10 V for zinc–copper, concentration effects, the standard hydrogen electrode, feasibility, errors and uncertainty.

CP 13a and 13b Redox Titrations: Manganate(VII) and Iodine–Thiosulfate

Redox titrations: iron(II) with potassium manganate(VII), iodine with sodium thiosulfate, mole ratios from half-equations, worked calculations, uncertainty and errors.

CP 14 Preparation of a Transition Metal Complex

Preparing a transition metal complex: tetraamminediaquacopper(II) sulfate from copper(II) sulfate and ammonia, ligand exchange, colours, ethanol crystallisation, filtration, washing, drying and percentage yield.

CP 15 Analysis of Inorganic and Organic Unknowns

Identifying transition metal ions with sodium hydroxide and ammonia, the second-year organic functional group tests, and worked inorganic and organic unknowns with their equations.

CP 16 Preparation of Aspirin

The preparation of aspirin: 2-hydroxybenzoic acid with ethanoic anhydride, recrystallisation, filtration under reduced pressure, percentage yield, the melting temperature as tests of purity, and the common errors.