Key term
CCEA A-Level Chemistry 1110
Formulae, Equations and Amounts of Substance
Atomic Structure
Topic overviewProtons, neutrons and electronsAtomic number, mass number and the composition of ionsIsotopes and relative isotopic massRelative atomic, molecular and formula massMass spectra and relative atomic mass calculationsMass spectra of diatomic elementsElectronic configuration and the building up principleOrbitals, electron spin and orbital shapesThe s-, p-, d- and f-blocks of the Periodic TableIonisation energies and their equationsTrends in ionisation energy as evidence for shells and subshells
Bonding
Topic overviewIonic bonding and electron transferDot and cross diagrams for ionic compoundsCovalent bonding and the shared pairLone pairs and co-ordinate bondingDot and cross diagrams for covalent molecules and ionsThe octet rule and its limitationsElectronegativity and bond polarityMetallic bonding
Intermolecular Forces and Structure
Shapes of Molecules and Ions
Redox
The Halogens
Acid-Base Titrations
Qualitative Tests
Formulae and Amounts of a Substance
Nomenclature and Isomerism in Organic Chemistry
Alkanes
Topic overviewAlkanes as saturated hydrocarbonsBoiling points of alkanes and van der Waals' forcesBoiling points of branched isomersComplete and incomplete combustion of alkanesPollutants from alkane fuels and the atmosphereCatalytic convertersRadicals, homolytic fission and heterolytic fissionFree radical substitution of alkanes
Alkenes
Topic overviewUnsaturated hydrocarbons and the bromine water testSigma and pi bonds in the carbon–carbon double bondElectron density at C=C, reactivity and catalytic hydrogenationAddition of chlorine and bromine to alkenesAddition of hydrogen chloride and hydrogen bromideElectrophiles, heterolytic fission and the addition mechanismCarbocation stability and Markovnikov additionAddition polymerisation of alkenes
Halogenoalkanes
Topic overviewClassification and boiling points of halogenoalkanesLaboratory preparation of a halogenoalkane from an alcoholNucleophiles and hydrolysis with aqueous alkaliReactions with ammonia and with potassium cyanideRelative rates of hydrolysis and carbon–halogen bond enthalpyElimination using ethanolic potassium hydroxideCFCs and the ozone layer
Alcohols
Infrared Spectroscopy
Energetics
Topic overviewExothermic and endothermic changesStandard conditions and the standard enthalpy changeEnthalpy level diagramsStandard enthalpies of combustion and formationStandard enthalpy of neutralisationMeasuring enthalpy changes by experimentEnthalpy calculations using q = mcΔTHess's Law and enthalpy cyclesIndirect enthalpy calculations using Hess's LawAverage bond enthalpies and their limitations
Kinetics
Equilibrium
Group II Elements and Their Compounds
Topic overviews-block character and electronic configurationTrends in atomic radius and first ionisation energyReactions of the elements with oxygen, water and dilute acidsThe oxides and their reactions with water and dilute acidsThermal stability of the carbonates and hydroxidesUses of magnesium oxide, calcium carbonate and limeSolubility trends and solubility curves
Lattice Enthalpy, Entropy and Free Energy
Topic overviewLattice enthalpy and the factors that control itBorn–Haber cycles for Group I halidesBorn–Haber cycles for Group II halides and oxidesEnthalpy of hydration and enthalpy of solutionCalculations on dissolving ionic compoundsEntropy and the limits of enthalpy changeStandard entropy change calculationsFree energy and the temperature of feasibility
Rates of Reaction
Equilibrium and Acid-Base Equilibria
Topic overviewEquilibrium concentrations from initial amountsKc expressions, values and unitsBrønsted–Lowry acids, bases and conjugate pairsKw, pH and the pH of strong acids and basesKa, pKa and the pH of weak acidsBuffer solutions and how they resist pH changeCalculating the pH of a buffer solutionTitration curves, indicators and the pH of salt solutions
Isomerism
Aldehydes and Ketones
Topic overviewStructure and naming of aldehydes and ketonesBoiling points and solubility of carbonyl compoundsPreparation from primary and secondary alcoholsReaction with hydrogen cyanide and the nucleophilic addition mechanismRacemic mixtures from nucleophilic addition2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine and the identification of carbonylsDistinguishing aldehydes from ketones, and reduction with lithal
Carboxylic Acids
Derivatives of Carboxylic Acids
Topic overviewEsters and acyl chlorides: structure and namingBoiling points and solubility of monoestersMaking esters from alcohols with carboxylic acids or acyl chloridesThe laboratory preparation of a liquid esterFats and oils as esters of glycerolTransesterification, biodiesel and margarineReactions of acyl chlorides with water and alcohols
Aromatic Chemistry
Spectroscopy and Chromatography
Topic overviewThe mass spectrum: molecular ion and base peakFragmentation and the formulae of fragment ionsHigh resolution mass spectrometryNuclear magnetic resonance and the TMS standardChemically equivalent hydrogens and chemical shiftIntegration curvesSpin–spin splitting and the n+1 ruleDeducing a structure from an nmr spectrumPaper and thin-layer chromatographyGas–liquid chromatography
Volumetric Analysis
Transition Metals
Topic overviewThe characteristic properties of the transition metalsElectronic configurations of the metals and their ionsComplexes, ligands and coordination numberOxidation number, redox and disproportionationMonodentate, bidentate and polydentate ligandsLigand strength and the entropy of ligand replacementLigand replacement in copper(II) complexesThe colours of the aqueous transition metal ionsHydroxide precipitates with sodium hydroxidePrecipitates with aqueous ammonia and their dissolutionVanadium and the interconversion of its oxidation states
Electrode Potentials
Amines
Amides and Polymers
Amino Acids and Proteins
Group II Elements and Their Compounds
- 7 subtopics
- 21 things to know
- Unit AS 2
What Group II Elements and Their Compounds covers
Group II Elements and Their Compounds is examined in Unit AS 2, Further Physical and Inorganic Chemistry and an Introduction to Organic Chemistry, and drawn on again in Unit AS 3, Basic Practical Chemistry. It covers s-block character and electronic configuration, Trends in atomic radius and first ionisation energy, reactions of the elements with oxygen, water and dilute acids, the oxides and their reactions with water and dilute acids, thermal stability of the carbonates and hydroxides, uses of magnesium oxide, calcium carbonate and lime and solubility trends and solubility curves.
Where it is assessed
Unit AS 2
Further Physical and Inorganic Chemistry and an Introduction to Organic Chemistry, and again in Unit AS 3, Basic Practical Chemistry.
Check the CCEA specification ↗The 7 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- s-block character and electronic configurationRecall questions on why Group II elements are s-block, the general ns² outer configuration, the full and shorthand configurations of magnesium, calcium and barium, the configurations of the ions, why the charge is always 2+, the half equation for ion formation, and why the elements are good reducing agents.Open →
- Trends in atomic radius and first ionisation energyTerm first ionisation energy, atomic radius of one of these metals and trend in atomic radius on going down Group II.Open →
- Reactions of the elements with oxygen, water and dilute acidsFlame colours given by calcium, strontium and barium, reaction of magnesium with cold water and give the equation and reaction of calcium with cold water and give the equation.Open →
- The oxides and their reactions with water and dilute acidsSaying that the Group II oxides are basic and why calcium oxide reacts only slowly with dilute sulfuric acid.Open →
- Thermal stability of the carbonates and hydroxidesThermal decomposition, trend in the thermal stability of the Group II carbonates and polarising power of a cation.Open →
- Uses of magnesium oxide, calcium carbonate and limeRecall questions on magnesium oxide in indigestion remedies and calcium carbonate in toothpaste with their equations, the manufacture of quicklime and why the kiln is swept, slaking and what is observed, the manufacture of cement and concrete, reinforcement with steel, and liming acidic farmland.Open →
- Solubility trends and solubility curvesTrend in the solubility of the Group II sulfates, trend in the solubility of the Group II hydroxides and how a solubility curve is drawn from experimental results.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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Describe how the solubility of a salt at one temperature is measured.
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Why are the Group II elements described as s-block elements?
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Write the equation whose enthalpy change is the first ionisation energy of calcium.
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Write the equation for the reaction of magnesium oxide with water.
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What is meant by thermal decomposition?
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Write the equation for magnesium oxide neutralising stomach acid.
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State the general outer electronic configuration of a Group II atom.
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State the trend in atomic radius on going down Group II.
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Write the equation for burning magnesium in oxygen and describe what is seen.
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Why is the mixture formed when magnesium oxide is shaken with water only weakly alkaline?
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Write the equation for the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate.
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Write the equation for calcium carbonate reacting with dilute hydrochloric acid.
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State the trend in the solubility of the Group II sulfates.
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Write the full electronic configuration of a magnesium atom.
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Explain the trend in atomic radius down Group II.
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Write the equation for the reaction of calcium with oxygen.
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Write the equation for the reaction of calcium oxide with water and describe what is seen.
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State the trend in the thermal stability of the Group II carbonates.
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Give the chemical name and formula of quicklime and say how it is manufactured.
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State the trend in the solubility of the Group II hydroxides.
Take Group II Elements and Their Compounds further
The same content, four other ways.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Why are the Group II elements described as s-block elements?
Model answer
The highest energy electron in each of their atoms occupies an s subshell, and their outer shell holds two s electrons.
- 2
State the general outer electronic configuration of a Group II atom.
Model answer
The general outer configuration is ns², where n is the number of the outer shell.
- 3
Write the full electronic configuration of a magnesium atom.
Model answer
The configuration is 1s²2s²2p⁶3s².
- 4
Write the electronic configuration of calcium using the noble gas shorthand.
Model answer
[Ar] 4s².
- 5
Write the electronic configuration of barium using the noble gas shorthand.
Model answer
The configuration is [Xe]6s².
- 6
What charge do Group II ions carry, and why?
Model answer
They carry a 2+ charge, because losing both outer s electrons leaves the ion with the full outer shell of the preceding noble gas.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Group II Elements and Their Compounds revision questions
- What does Group II Elements and Their Compounds cover in CCEA A-Level Chemistry?
- 7 subtopics: s-block character and electronic configuration, trends in atomic radius and first ionisation energy, reactions of the elements with oxygen, water and dilute acids, the oxides and their reactions with water and dilute acids, thermal stability of the carbonates and hydroxides, uses of magnesium oxide, calcium carbonate and lime and solubility trends and solubility curves. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Group II Elements and Their Compounds organised?
- By the CCEA 1110 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Group II Elements and Their Compounds, on a schedule.
Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.
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