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
Qualitative Tests
- 4 subtopics
- 12 things to know
- Unit AS 1
What Qualitative Tests covers
Qualitative Tests is examined in Unit AS 1, Basic Concepts in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, and drawn on again in Unit AS 3, Basic Practical Chemistry. It covers chemical tests for the gases, flame tests for metal cations, testing for the ammonium ion, sulfate and carbonate and distinguishing the halides, and the starch test for iodine.
Where it is assessed
Unit AS 1
Basic Concepts in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, and again in Unit AS 3, Basic Practical Chemistry.
Check the CCEA specification ↗The 4 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Chemical tests for the gasesTest for hydrogen gas and the result, test for oxygen gas and the result and test for chlorine gas and the result.Open →
- Flame tests for metal cationsHow the nichrome wire is cleaned before a flame test, flame colour given by lithium ions and flame colour given by sodium ions.Open →
- Testing for the ammonium ion, sulfate and carbonateTest for the ammonium ion in a solid or solution, test for the sulfate ion and test for the carbonate ion.Open →
- Distinguishing the halides, and the starch test for iodineTest used to identify a halide ion in solution, trend in solubility of the silver halides in ammonia solution and test that uses starch to identify iodine and the result.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Why does chlorine both redden and bleach damp litmus paper?
Key term
Why is nichrome wire used to carry out a flame test?
Key term
Describe the test for the ammonium ion in a solid or solution.
Key term
Describe the test used to identify a halide ion in solution.
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Why is concentrated hydrochloric acid used rather than water in a flame test?
Key term
Write the ionic equation for the reaction that occurs when the ammonium ion is tested with sodium hydroxide.
Key term
Why is dilute nitric acid added before the silver nitrate?
Key term
Describe the test for hydrogen gas and the result.
Key term
Which part of the Bunsen flame is used for a flame test, and why?
Key term
Why can the ammonium ion not be identified by a flame test?
Key term
Why is nitric acid used rather than hydrochloric acid in the halide test?
Take Qualitative Tests further
The same content, four other ways.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Describe the test for hydrogen gas and the result.
Model answer
A lighted splint is held at the mouth of the tube and the gas burns with a squeaky pop.
- 2
Describe the test for oxygen gas and the result.
Model answer
A glowing splint is held in the gas and it relights.
- 3
Describe the test for chlorine gas and the result.
Model answer
Damp blue litmus paper is held in the gas, and it turns red and is then bleached white.
- 4
Why does chlorine both redden and bleach damp litmus paper?
Model answer
Chlorine reacts with the water on the paper to give an acidic solution, which reddens the litmus, and the chlorate(I) formed then oxidises the dye and removes the colour.
- 5
Describe the test for carbon dioxide and the result.
Model answer
The gas is bubbled through limewater, which turns milky.
- 6
Write the equation for the reaction of carbon dioxide with limewater.
Model answer
The equation is Ca(OH)₂(aq) + CO₂(g) → CaCO₃(s) + H₂O(l).
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Qualitative Tests revision questions
- What does Qualitative Tests cover in CCEA A-Level Chemistry?
- 4 subtopics: chemical tests for the gases, flame tests for metal cations, testing for the ammonium ion, sulfate and carbonate and distinguishing the halides, and the starch test for iodine. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Qualitative Tests organised?
- By the CCEA 1110 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Qualitative Tests, 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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