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 P-Block
- 13 subtopics
- 39 things to know
- Component 1
What Chemistry of the P-Block covers
Chemistry of the P-Block is examined in Component 1, Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, and drawn on again in Component 3. It covers amphoteric behaviour of aluminium and lead, the inert pair effect in Groups 3, 4 and 5, electron-deficient compounds and expanded octets, Al₂Cl₆ and donor-acceptor compounds, hexagonal and cubic boron nitride, stability of oxidation states II and IV in Group 4, carbon dioxide and lead(II) oxide, bonding in the Group 4 chlorides, hydrolysis of the Group 4 chlorides, reactions of aqueous lead(II) ions, chlorine with cold and warm aqueous sodium hydroxide, Bleaching and bactericidal action of chlorine and chlorate(I) and sodium halides with concentrated sulfuric acid.
Where it is assessed
Component 1
Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, and drawn on again in Component 3.
Check the Eduqas specification ↗The 13 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Amphoteric behaviour of aluminium and leadRecall questions on what amphoteric means, the reactions of aluminium and lead oxides and hydroxides with both acid and alkali, the equations and the ions formed, why these two behave differently from a Group 2 oxide, and the practical consequences of the behaviour.Open →
- The inert pair effect in Groups 3, 4 and 5Recall questions on what the inert pair effect is, why the lower oxidation state becomes more stable down each group, comparing tin(II) and tin(IV) with lead(II) and lead(IV), which of the pair acts as a reducing agent and which as an oxidising agent, and named examples.Open →
- Electron-deficient compounds and expanded octetsElectron-deficient compound, why BF₃ readily accepts a lone pair of electrons and expanded octet.Open →
- Al₂Cl₆ and donor-acceptor compoundsBond is formed by each bridging chlorine atom in Al₂Cl₆ and donor-acceptor compound.Open →
- Hexagonal and cubic boron nitrideStructure of hexagonal boron nitride, why hexagonal boron nitride is a good lubricant and appearance of hexagonal boron nitride.Open →
- Stability of oxidation states II and IV in Group 4Why carbon monoxide is a good reducing agent, oxidation number changes when carbon monoxide reduces iron(III) oxide and why lead(IV) oxide behaves as an oxidising agent.Open →
- Carbon dioxide and lead(II) oxideType of structure shown by carbon dioxide, why carbon dioxide is a gas at room temperature and oxide is carbon dioxide.Open →
- Bonding in the Group 4 chloridesType of bonding and structure in tetrachloromethane, physical state of tetrachloromethane at room temperature and explain it and type of bonding and structure in silicon tetrachloride.Open →
- Hydrolysis of the Group 4 chloridesWhat is observed when silicon tetrachloride is added to water, what is observed when tetrachloromethane is shaken with water and first step in the hydrolysis of silicon tetrachloride.Open →
- Reactions of aqueous lead(II) ionsRecall questions on the reactions of aqueous lead(II) with chloride, iodide, sulfate and hydroxide ions, the colour of each precipitate, the ionic equations, the effect of warming on the chloride, and using the pattern of results to identify lead in solution.Open →
- Chlorine with cold and warm aqueous sodium hydroxideDisproportionation reaction and conditions needed to make sodium chlorate(I) from chlorine.Open →
- Bleaching and bactericidal action of chlorine and chlorate(I)Active constituent of household bleach and why chlorine kills bacteria.Open →
- Sodium halides with concentrated sulfuric acidRecall questions on the products and observations for the chloride, bromide and iodide, which of them reduce the sulfuric acid and to what, the oxidation state changes of sulfur, the equations, and what the series shows about the reducing power of the halide ions.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Explain why the octet rule works well for period 2 elements but often fails after that.
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Write the equation for the reaction of aluminium oxide with dilute hydrochloric acid.
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What species is present when aluminium chloride is vaporised at a moderate temperature?
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Why does boron nitride form structures so similar to those of carbon?
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Which oxidation state of carbon is the more stable, +2 or +4?
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Explain why carbon dioxide is non-polar overall even though each C=O bond is polar.
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Explain the trend in bonding of the Group 4 chlorides in terms of electronegativity.
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Describe what is observed when silicon tetrachloride is added to water.
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Describe what is seen when a few drops of aqueous sodium hydroxide are added to lead(II) nitrate solution.
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Write the equation for the reaction of chlorine with cold dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide.
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Explain what happens to a dye molecule when it is bleached by chlorate(I) ions.
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Write the equation for the reaction of solid sodium chloride with concentrated sulfuric acid.
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Write the equation for the reaction of aluminium oxide with aqueous sodium hydroxide.
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Which oxidation state is favoured by the heaviest members of Group 3?
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How many electrons surround the boron atom in a molecule of BF₃?
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How are the two AlCl₃ units joined together in Al₂Cl₆?
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What holds the atoms together within a single layer of hexagonal boron nitride?
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Which oxidation state of lead is the more stable, +2 or +4?
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Explain why carbon dioxide is a gas at room temperature.
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Explain why lead(II) chloride is a white solid with a high melting temperature.
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Write the equation for the hydrolysis of silicon tetrachloride.
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Write the ionic equation for the formation of the precipitate when hydroxide ions are added to lead(II) ions.
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Give the systematic name of NaClO.
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Name the active constituent of household bleach.
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Describe what is observed when concentrated sulfuric acid is added to solid sodium chloride.
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Describe what is seen when aqueous sodium hydroxide is added drop by drop, and then in excess, to a solution of aluminium ions.
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Which oxidation state is favoured by lead at the bottom of Group 4?
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Why can boron in BF₃ not simply form a fourth ordinary covalent bond?
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What type of bond is formed by each bridging chlorine atom in Al₂Cl₆?
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Explain why hexagonal boron nitride is a good lubricant.
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Summarise how the relative stability of the +2 and +4 states changes down Group 4.
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Write the equation for the reaction of carbon dioxide with water.
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Describe the arrangement of the chlorine atoms around silicon in SiCl₄.
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Give two reasons why tetrachloromethane is not hydrolysed by water.
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Describe what happens when aqueous sodium hydroxide is added to lead(II) nitrate solution until it is in excess.
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Write the equation for the reaction of chlorine with hot concentrated aqueous sodium hydroxide.
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Which species is thought to do most of the disinfecting when chlorine is added to water?
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Write the equation for the first reaction of solid sodium bromide with concentrated sulfuric acid.
Take Chemistry of the P-Block further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Bleaching action vs Bactericidal action
Bleaching action: destroys the light-absorbing part of a coloured molecule. Bactericidal action: destroys the essential molecules inside living cells.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What does it mean to say a substance is amphoteric?
Model answer
An amphoteric substance reacts with both acids and bases, behaving as a base towards an acid and as an acid towards an alkali.
- 2
Write the equation for the reaction of aluminium oxide with dilute hydrochloric acid.
Model answer
Al₂O₃(s) + 6H⁺(aq) → 2Al³⁺(aq) + 3H₂O(l).
- 3
Write the equation for the reaction of aluminium oxide with aqueous sodium hydroxide.
Model answer
Al₂O₃(s) + 2OH⁻(aq) + 3H₂O(l) → 2[Al(OH)₄]⁻(aq).
- 4
Describe what is seen when aqueous sodium hydroxide is added drop by drop, and then in excess, to a solution of aluminium ions.
Model answer
A white precipitate of aluminium hydroxide forms first and then dissolves in excess alkali to give a colourless solution.
- 5
Write the equation for aluminium hydroxide dissolving in excess sodium hydroxide.
Model answer
Al(OH)₃(s) + OH⁻(aq) → [Al(OH)₄]⁻(aq).
- 6
Write the equation for the reaction of aluminium hydroxide with dilute acid.
Model answer
Al(OH)₃(s) + 3H⁺(aq) → Al³⁺(aq) + 3H₂O(l).
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Chemistry of the P-Block revision questions
- What does Chemistry of the P-Block cover in Eduqas A-Level Chemistry?
- 13 subtopics: amphoteric behaviour of aluminium and lead, the inert pair effect in groups 3, 4 and 5, electron-deficient compounds and expanded octets, al₂cl₆ and donor-acceptor compounds, hexagonal and cubic boron nitride, stability of oxidation states ii and iv in group 4, carbon dioxide and lead(ii) oxide, bonding in the group 4 chlorides, hydrolysis of the group 4 chlorides, reactions of aqueous lead(ii) ions, chlorine with cold and warm aqueous sodium hydroxide, bleaching and bactericidal action of chlorine and chlorate(i) and sodium halides with concentrated sulfuric acid. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Chemistry of the P-Block 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 P-Block, 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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