Key term
Eduqas A-Level Chemistry A410QS
Formulae and Equations
Basic Ideas About Atoms
Topic overviewRadioactive decay and nuclear equationsBehaviour of α, β and γ radiationHalf-life and radioactive decay calculationsRadiation hazards and the uses of radioisotopesIonisation energy and its variation between elementsSuccessive ionisation energies and electronic structureOrbitals and electron configurations of elements 1 to 36Emission and absorption spectraThe hydrogen spectrum, E = hf and the convergence limit
Chemical Calculations
Topic overviewRelative atomic, isotopic, formula and molecular massPrinciples of the mass spectrometerMass spectra, isotopic abundance and relative atomic massEmpirical and molecular formulaeThe mole, the Avogadro constant and molar massMoles, grams and numbers of particlesConcentration and solubilityMolar volume and gas volume correctionsThe ideal gas equationStoichiometry and reacting quantitiesAcid-base titration calculationsAtom economy, percentage yield and percentage error
Bonding
Solid Structures
The Periodic Table
Topic overviewArrangement of the elements and the s-, p- and d-blocksOxidation and reduction as electron transferTrends across periods and down groupsReactions of Group 2 elements with oxygen, water and steamReactions of the aqueous cations Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Ba²⁺Flame coloursReactivity of Group 1 and Group 2 metalsThermal stability of the Group 2 carbonates and hydroxidesSolubility of the Group 2 hydroxides and sulfatesBasic character of the Group 1 and Group 2 oxides and hydroxidesVolatility of the halogens and their reactions with metalsOxidising power, displacement reactions and the silver nitrate testWater treatment, salt preparation and gravimetric analysis
Simple Equilibria and Acid-Base Reactions
Thermochemistry
Rates of Reaction
The Wider Impact of Chemistry
Organic Compounds
Hydrocarbons
Topic overviewAlkanes and the sigma-bonded frameworkCombustion of alkanes and the use of fossil fuelsFree radical substitution and the photochlorination of alkanesAlkenes and the reactivity of the C=C bondE–Z isomerismElectrophilic addition of bromine to alkenesTests for alkenesMarkovnikov addition of hydrogen bromide and carbocation stabilityCatalytic hydrogenation of alkenesAddition polymerisation
Halogenoalkanes
Topic overviewNucleophilic substitution of primary halogenoalkanesElimination reactions forming alkenesBond polarity, bond enthalpy and the ease of substitutionThe silver nitrate test for halogenoalkanesUses of halogenoalkanes and the regulation of their useCFCs and their effect in the upper atmosphereHeating under reflux
Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids
Topic overviewIndustrial preparation of ethanol from etheneFermentation and the distillation of ethanolBiofuels and the issues they raiseClassifying alcohols as primary, secondary and tertiaryDehydration of alcohols to alkenesOxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes and carboxylic acidsOxidation of secondary alcohols to ketonesThe dichromate(VI) test for alcoholsCarboxylic acids and the sodium hydrogencarbonate testReactions of carboxylic acids with bases, carbonates and hydrogencarbonatesEsterification and separation by distillation
Instrumental Analysis
Redox and Standard Electrode Potential
Redox Reactions
Chemistry of the P-Block
Topic overviewAmphoteric behaviour of aluminium and leadThe inert pair effect in Groups 3, 4 and 5Electron-deficient compounds and expanded octetsAl₂Cl₆ and donor-acceptor compoundsHexagonal and cubic boron nitrideStability of oxidation states II and IV in Group 4Carbon dioxide and lead(II) oxideBonding in the Group 4 chloridesHydrolysis of the Group 4 chloridesReactions of aqueous lead(II) ionsChlorine with cold and warm aqueous sodium hydroxideBleaching and bactericidal action of chlorine and chlorate(I)Sodium halides with concentrated sulfuric acid
Chemistry of the D-Block Transition Metals
Topic overviewOxidation states of the d-block elementsImportant oxidation states and the colours of aqueous ionsBonding in tetrahedral and octahedral complexesThe origin of colour and the splitting of d-orbitalsLigand exchange and change of coordination numberColours and formulae of copper and cobalt complex ionsHeterogeneous and homogeneous catalysisNickel in hydrogenation and iron in the Haber processVanadium(V) oxide and manganese(IV) oxide as catalystsReactions of Cr³⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ with excess aqueous hydroxide
Chemical Kinetics
Enthalpy Changes for Solids and Solutions
Entropy and Feasibility of Reactions
Equilibrium Constants
Acid-Base Equilibria
Topic overviewThe Lowry–Brønsted theory and conjugate pairsStrong and weak acids and the dissociation constant KaThe ionic product of water, KwpH of strong acids and strong basespH of weak acids from Ka and pKaTitration curvesHow buffer solutions workBuffer calculationsBuffers in living systems and industrySalt hydrolysis and the choice of indicator
Stereoisomerism
Aromaticity
Alcohols and Phenols
Aldehydes and Ketones
Topic overviewPreparing aldehydes and ketones by oxidation of alcoholsDistinguishing aldehydes and ketones with Tollens’ reagent and Fehling’s solutionReduction of aldehydes and ketones using NaBH₄Nucleophilic addition of HCN to aldehydes and ketonesReaction with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazineThe triiodomethane (iodoform) test
Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives
Topic overviewRelative acidity of carboxylic acids, phenols, alcohols and waterPreparing carboxylic acids by oxidationReduction and decarboxylation of carboxylic acidsAcid chlorides and their reactionsEsters and their hydrolysisAmides and their hydrolysisNitriles from carboxylic acids and halogenoalkanesHydroxynitriles, hydrolysis and reduction of nitriles
Amines
Amino Acids, Peptides and Proteins
Organic Synthesis and Analysis
Topic overviewPlanning a multi-step synthesisChoosing between alternative routesManipulation and separation techniquesPurification and melting temperatureAddition and condensation polymerisationPolyesters and polyamidesHigh resolution proton NMRCombining spectra to elucidate a structureInterpreting chromatographic dataGas chromatography and HPLC
Specified Practical Work
Topic overviewGravimetric analysis and qualitative analysis of unknown solutionsStandard solutions, standardising an acid and preparing a soluble saltBack titration and double titrationDetermining enthalpy changes by calorimetryFollowing a rate by gas collection, the iodine clock and reaction orderElectrochemical cells, redox titration and the estimation of copperDetermining an equilibrium constant and following a titration with a pH probeHydrolysis of 1-bromobutane and the preparation of an esterOrganic synthesis, purification and identification
Practical Skills and Techniques
Topic overviewChoosing apparatus and recording measurementsVolumetric technique with pipette, burette and volumetric flaskTitration procedure and the choice of indicatorHeating, heating under reflux and distillationFiltration, purification and qualitative testingMelting temperature, chromatography and electrochemical cellsVariables, errors and risk in evaluating a method
Mathematical Skills in Chemistry
Topic overviewStandard form, units and significant figuresRatios, fractions and percentagesChanging the subject and substituting valuesLogarithms, pH and pKaExponentials, the Arrhenius equation and rateGraphs, gradients and interceptsTangents and rates of changeArea under a curveUncertainty and combining errorsThe gas equation and equilibrium expressions
Chemistry of the D-Block Transition Metals
- 10 subtopics
- 30 things to know
- Component 1
What Chemistry of the D-Block Transition Metals covers
Chemistry of the D-Block Transition Metals is examined in Component 1, Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, and drawn on again in Component 3. It covers oxidation states of the d-block elements, important oxidation states and the colours of aqueous ions, bonding in tetrahedral and octahedral complexes, the origin of colour and the splitting of d-orbitals, ligand exchange and change of coordination number, colours and formulae of copper and cobalt complex ions, heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, nickel in hydrogenation and iron in the Haber process, vanadium(V) oxide and manganese(IV) oxide as catalysts and reactions of Cr³⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ with excess aqueous hydroxide.
Where it is assessed
Component 1
Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, and drawn on again in Component 3.
Check the Eduqas specification ↗The 10 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Oxidation states of the d-block elementsTransition metal, why the d-block elements show several different oxidation states and why the Fe³⁺ ion is relatively stable.Open →
- Important oxidation states and the colours of aqueous ionsTwo most important oxidation states of chromium, three important oxidation states of manganese and two important oxidation states of iron.Open →
- Bonding in tetrahedral and octahedral complexesComplex ion, coordination number of a complex and shape and bond angles of a six-coordinate complex.Open →
- The origin of colour and the splitting of d-orbitalsHow the d orbitals split in an octahedral complex, how the splitting of the d orbitals produces colour and why a transition metal complex appears coloured rather than black.Open →
- Ligand exchange and change of coordination numberRecall questions on the equations and colour changes when water ligands are replaced by chloride or by ammonia in copper and cobalt complexes, why chloride gives four-coordination while water gives six, and the reversibility of the exchange on dilution.Open →
- Colours and formulae of copper and cobalt complex ionsCoordination number and shape of [Cu(NH₃)₄(H₂O)₂]²⁺, colour of the [CuCl₄]²⁻ ion and oxidation state of the metal in [Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺, [CuCl₄]²⁻ and [Cu(NH₃)₄(H₂O)₂]²⁺.Open →
- Heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysisThree stages of a reaction on a heterogeneous catalyst, how adsorption onto a surface speeds up a reaction and substance that poisons an industrial catalyst.Open →
- Nickel in hydrogenation and iron in the Haber processConditions used when a vegetable oil is hydrogenated, catalysis is involved when nickel catalyses hydrogenation and typical operating conditions of the Haber process.Open →
- Vanadium(V) oxide and manganese(IV) oxide as catalystsConditions used in the contact process, oxidation state changes of vanadium during the contact process and catalysis occurs when manganese(IV) oxide decomposes hydrogen peroxide.Open →
- Reactions of Cr³⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ with excess aqueous hydroxideRecall questions on the precipitate formed by each of the four ions and its colour, which of them dissolves in excess hydroxide and why, the ionic equations, the darkening of the iron(II) precipitate in air, and using the pattern to identify an unknown ion.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Process
What kind of catalysis does nickel provide in hydrogenation, and what catalyst and conditions does the Haber process use?
Key term
Define a transition metal.
Key term
Describe what happens to the d orbitals when ligands approach a metal ion.
Key term
Write the equation for the reaction of [Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺ with concentrated hydrochloric acid.
Key term
State how many ammonia molecules and how many water molecules are bonded to copper in the complex formed with excess ammonia.
Key term
Why are most transition metal catalysts used in a different phase from the reactants?
Key term
Which metal is used to catalyse the hydrogenation of alkenes?
Process
Which compound is used to catalyse the contact process?
Key term
Describe what is seen when a small amount of aqueous sodium hydroxide is added to a solution containing Cr³⁺ ions.
Key term
Explain why the d-block elements show several different oxidation states.
Key term
State the two most important oxidation states of chromium.
Key term
Which orbitals on the metal ion accept the electron pairs offered by the ligands?
Key term
Describe how the d orbitals split in an octahedral complex.
Key term
Describe the colour change when concentrated hydrochloric acid is added to aqueous copper(II) sulfate.
Key term
Which cobalt complex ion is pink, and what is its coordination number?
Process
Outline the three stages of a reaction on a heterogeneous catalyst.
Key term
State the conditions used when a vegetable oil is hydrogenated.
Process
Write the equation for the reaction catalysed by vanadium(V) oxide in the contact process.
Key term
Write the ionic equation for the precipitation of chromium(III) hydroxide.
Key term
Which electrons are removed first when a first-row d-block atom is ionised?
Key term
State the three important oxidation states of manganese.
Key term
Explain why chloride ligands commonly give four-coordination while water ligands give six.
Key term
What name is given to the promotion of an electron between the split sets of d orbitals?
Key term
Explain why the coordination number of copper falls from six to four when the chloride complex forms.
Key term
Explain why [CuCl₄]²⁻ carries a negative charge while [Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺ carries a positive one.
Process
Why is a poisoned transition metal catalyst so costly to an industrial process?
Key term
What type of catalysis is involved when nickel catalyses hydrogenation?
Process
State the conditions used in the contact process.
Key term
Describe what happens when aqueous sodium hydroxide is added to a chromium(III) solution until it is in excess.
Take Chemistry of the D-Block Transition Metals further
The same content, four other ways.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Define a transition metal.
Model answer
A transition metal is a d-block element that forms at least one stable ion with a partially filled d subshell.
- 2
Explain why zinc is not classed as a transition metal.
Model answer
Its only ion, Zn²⁺, has a completely full 3d¹⁰ subshell, so no ion of zinc has a partially filled d subshell.
- 3
Explain why scandium is not classed as a transition metal.
Model answer
Its only stable ion, Sc³⁺, has an empty 3d subshell rather than a partially filled one.
- 4
Explain why the d-block elements show several different oxidation states.
Model answer
The 4s and 3d orbitals lie very close in energy, so electrons can be removed from either and the successive ionisation energies rise only gradually.
- 5
Which electrons are removed first when a first-row d-block atom is ionised?
Model answer
The 4s electrons are removed before any 3d electrons.
- 6
Which oxidation state is shown by almost every element in the first row of the d-block?
Model answer
The +2 state, which results from the loss of the two 4s electrons.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Chemistry of the D-Block Transition Metals revision questions
- What does Chemistry of the D-Block Transition Metals cover in Eduqas A-Level Chemistry?
- 10 subtopics: oxidation states of the d-block elements, important oxidation states and the colours of aqueous ions, bonding in tetrahedral and octahedral complexes, the origin of colour and the splitting of d-orbitals, ligand exchange and change of coordination number, colours and formulae of copper and cobalt complex ions, heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, nickel in hydrogenation and iron in the haber process, vanadium(v) oxide and manganese(iv) oxide as catalysts and reactions of cr³⁺, fe²⁺, fe³⁺ and cu²⁺ with excess aqueous hydroxide. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Chemistry of the D-Block Transition Metals organised?
- By the Eduqas A410QS specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Chemistry of the D-Block Transition Metals, 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.
Or £46 a year, about £3.83 a month. Cancel anytime.