Edexcel A Level Chemistry
Topic 4
Inorganic
Chemistry and
The Periodic Table
Topic 4 develops inorganic chemistry through Group 1, Group 2 and Group 7 trends. Students learn to explain reactivity, thermal stability, flame colours, halogen displacement reactions and the tests used to identify key inorganic ions.
Exam Papers
Paper 1
9CH0/01
Specification Points
4.1 – 4.15
15 points covered
Topic Parts
3 parts
Revision notes available
Exam Board
Edexcel
Pearson 9CH0
Revision Notes
Work through each part of Edexcel Topic 4 in a structured sequence.
s-block trends
Groups
1 and 2
1 and 2
metals, ions and flame tests
1
Available
Groups 1 and 2
Group 2 reactivity, hydroxide and sulfate solubility, thermal stability, flame colours and experimental procedures.
Start revisingHalogens
Group 7
Halogens
Halogens
2
Available
Group 7 Halogens
Halogen trends, displacement reactions, disproportionation, hydrogen halides and reactions with sulfuric acid.
Start revisingIon tests
Inorganic
Analysis
Analysis
observations and ionic equations
3
Available
Inorganic Analysis
Qualitative tests for carbonate, hydrogencarbonate, sulfate and ammonium ions, including ionic equations.
Start revisingSpecification Coverage
Topic 4 Inorganic Chemistry and The Periodic Table – Edexcel A Level Chemistry
The following specification points outline the knowledge and skills students are expected to demonstrate for Topic 4.
4A: The elements of Groups 1 and 2
4.1
understand reasons for the trend in ionisation energy down Group 2
4.2
understand reasons for the trend in reactivity of the Group 2 elements down the group
4.3
know the reactions of the elements Mg to Ba in Group 2 with oxygen, chlorine and water
4.4
know the reactions of the oxides of Group 2 elements with water and dilute acid, and their hydroxides with dilute acid
4.5
know the trends in solubility of the hydroxides and sulfates of Group 2 elements
4.6
understand reasons for the trends in thermal stability of the nitrates and the carbonates of the elements in Groups 1 and 2 in terms of the size and charge of the cations involved
4.7
understand the formation of characteristic flame colours by Group 1 and 2 compounds in terms of electron transitions. Students will be expected to know the flame colours for Groups 1 and 2 compounds.
4.8
understand experimental procedures to show:
i
patterns in thermal decomposition of Group 1 and 2 nitrates and carbonates
ii
flame colours in compounds of Group 1 and 2 elements
4B: The elements of Group 7, halogens
4.9
understand reasons for the trends in melting and boiling temperatures, physical state at room temperature, and electronegativity for Group 7 elements
4.10
understand reasons for the trend in reactivity of Group 7 elements down the group
4.11
understand the trend in reactivity of Group 7 elements in terms of the redox reactions of Cl2, Br2 and I2 with halide ions in aqueous solution, followed by the addition of an organic solvent
4.12
understand, in terms of changes in oxidation number, the following reactions of the halogens:
i
oxidation reactions with Group 1 and 2 metals
ii
the disproportionation reaction of chlorine with water and the use of chlorine in water treatment
iii
the disproportionation reaction of chlorine with cold, dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide to form bleach
iv
the disproportionation reaction of chlorine with hot alkali
v
reactions analogous to those specified above
4.13
understand the following reactions:
i
solid Group 1 halides with concentrated sulfuric acid, to illustrate the trend in reducing ability of the hydrogen halides
ii
precipitation reactions of the aqueous anions Cl–, Br– and I– with aqueous silver nitrate solution, followed by aqueous ammonia solution
iii
hydrogen halides with ammonia and with water, to produce acids
4.14
be able to make predictions about fluorine and astatine and their compounds, in terms of knowledge of trends in halogen chemistry
4C: Analysis of inorganic compounds
4.15
know reactions, including ionic equations where appropriate, for identifying:
i
carbonate ions, CO32-, and hydrogencarbonate ions, HCO3–, using an aqueous acid to form carbon dioxide
ii
sulfate ions, SO42-, using acidified barium chloride solution
iii
ammonium ions, NH4+, using sodium hydroxide solution and warming to form ammonia
Specification Coverage
Topic 4 Inorganic Chemistry and The Periodic Table – Edexcel A Level Chemistry
The following specification points outline the knowledge and skills students are expected to demonstrate for Topic 4.
4A: The elements of Groups 1 and 2
4.1
understand reasons for the trend in ionisation energy down Group 2
4.2
understand reasons for the trend in reactivity of the Group 2 elements down the group
4.3
know the reactions of the elements Mg to Ba in Group 2 with oxygen, chlorine and water
4.4
know the reactions of the oxides of Group 2 elements with water and dilute acid, and their hydroxides with dilute acid
4.5
know the trends in solubility of the hydroxides and sulfates of Group 2 elements
4.6
understand reasons for the trends in thermal stability of the nitrates and the carbonates of the elements in Groups 1 and 2 in terms of the size and charge of the cations involved
4.7
understand the formation of characteristic flame colours by Group 1 and 2 compounds in terms of electron transitions. Students will be expected to know the flame colours for Groups 1 and 2 compounds.
4.8
understand experimental procedures to show:
i
patterns in thermal decomposition of Group 1 and 2 nitrates and carbonates
ii
flame colours in compounds of Group 1 and 2 elements
4B: The elements of Group 7, halogens
4.9
understand reasons for the trends in melting and boiling temperatures, physical state at room temperature, and electronegativity for Group 7 elements
4.10
understand reasons for the trend in reactivity of Group 7 elements down the group
4.11
understand the trend in reactivity of Group 7 elements in terms of the redox reactions of Cl2, Br2 and I2 with halide ions in aqueous solution, followed by the addition of an organic solvent
4.12
understand, in terms of changes in oxidation number, the following reactions of the halogens:
i
oxidation reactions with Group 1 and 2 metals
ii
the disproportionation reaction of chlorine with water and the use of chlorine in water treatment
iii
the disproportionation reaction of chlorine with cold, dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide to form bleach
iv
the disproportionation reaction of chlorine with hot alkali
v
reactions analogous to those specified above
4.13
understand the following reactions:
i
solid Group 1 halides with concentrated sulfuric acid, to illustrate the trend in reducing ability of the hydrogen halides
ii
precipitation reactions of the aqueous anions Cl–, Br– and I– with aqueous silver nitrate solution, followed by aqueous ammonia solution
iii
hydrogen halides with ammonia and with water, to produce acids
4.14
be able to make predictions about fluorine and astatine and their compounds, in terms of knowledge of trends in halogen chemistry
4C: Analysis of inorganic compounds
4.15
know reactions, including ionic equations where appropriate, for identifying:
i
carbonate ions, CO32-, and hydrogencarbonate ions, HCO3–, using an aqueous acid to form carbon dioxide
ii
sulfate ions, SO42-, using acidified barium chloride solution
iii
ammonium ions, NH4+, using sodium hydroxide solution and warming to form ammonia