Choose a subtopic. Learn the core ideas behind atomic structure, bonding, the periodic table, and chemical calculations. 57 lessons in 6 subtopics.
Revise Topic 1: Key concepts in chemistry for GCSE Edexcel Higher Chemistry. 57 lessons across 6 subtopics.
57
Lessons
6
Subtopics
What this topic covers
Topic 1: Key concepts in chemistry has 6 subtopics:
A simple model of the atom, symbols, relative atomic mass, electronic charge and isotopes
Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic
Chemical measurements, conservation of mass and the quantitative interpretation of chemical equations
How bonding and structure are related to the properties of substances
The periodic table
Structure and bonding of carbon
Topic 1: Key concepts in chemistry lessons by subtopic
57 lessons, grouped by subtopic.
A simple model of the atom, symbols, relative atomic mass, electronic charge and isotopes
Elements, Atoms and Symbols: Understanding what atoms and elements are, learning chemical symbols for the first 20 elements and key groups, and exploring the periodic table structure.
Compounds and Chemical Formulae: Learning how compounds form from elements, naming compounds from formulae, and understanding how chemical reactions create new substances with energy changes.
Chemical Equations and Reactions: Writing word equations and balanced symbol equations for chemical reactions, including half equations and ionic equations for higher tier students.
Choosing the right separation method: Develop skills in selecting appropriate separation and purification techniques for different types of mixtures based on the properties of the substances involved.
The Size and Scale of Atoms: Understanding atomic dimensions and how atoms compare to everyday objects. Students explore the incredibly small size of atoms and their nuclei, and learn to relate these measurements to the physical world around them.
Mass Distribution and Atomic Particles: Investigating where mass is concentrated in atoms and the relative masses of subatomic particles. Students learn about the mass distribution between nucleus and electrons, and understand the relative masses of protons, neutrons and electrons.
Isotopes and Atomic Notation: Understanding isotopes and how to represent atoms using standard notation. Students learn to identify isotopes, use atomic notation, and calculate numbers of protons, neutrons and electrons in atoms and ions.
Drawing dot and cross diagrams for ionic compounds: Master the technique of representing electron transfer in ionic compound formation using dot and cross diagrams for compounds formed between Group 1 and 2 metals with Group 6 and 7 non-metals
The Structure of Metals: Learn how metals form giant structures with atoms arranged in regular patterns and understand the nature of delocalised electrons in metallic bonding.
Chemical measurements, conservation of mass and the quantitative interpretation of chemical equations
Hazard symbols and practical risk assessment: Recognise hazard symbols, identify the risks linked to chemicals and procedures, and choose sensible precautions before and during practical work.
How bonding and structure are related to the properties of substances
State Symbols in Chemical Equations: Learn to identify and use state symbols (s), (l), (g), and (aq) in chemical equations. Practice writing complete chemical equations with appropriate state symbols for various reactions.
Giant Ionic Lattice Structures: Learn how ionic compounds form regular three-dimensional structures called giant ionic lattices, where strong electrostatic forces exist between oppositely charged ions in all directions.
Physical Properties of Ionic Compounds: Explore why ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points due to the large amounts of energy needed to break the many strong ionic bonds in their lattice structures.
Electrical Conductivity of Ionic Compounds: Understand why ionic compounds conduct electricity only when melted or dissolved in water, as this allows the ions to move freely and carry electrical charge.
Why Metals Conduct Electricity and Heat: Explore how the delocalised electrons in metals enable them to conduct both electrical charge and thermal energy effectively.
Early attempts to classify elements: Learn how scientists first tried to arrange elements by atomic weight and the problems they encountered with incomplete periodic tables.
Mendeleev's breakthrough and modern understanding: Discover how Mendeleev solved the problems of early periodic tables by leaving gaps and predicting new elements, and how isotopes explained the atomic weight ordering issues.
Physical and Chemical Properties of Metals and Non-metals: Compare and contrast the characteristic physical and chemical properties of metals and non-metals, and understand how these differences relate to their atomic structure and position in the periodic table.
Ion Formation and Electron Arrangement: Explore how elements form ions based on their electron arrangement, distinguishing between metals that form positive ions and non-metals that do not, and how this relates to their reactivity and atomic number.
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Learn the core ideas behind atomic structure, bonding, the periodic table, and chemical calculations. 57 lessons in 6 subtopics.
What is the plum pudding model?
The plum pudding model is Thomson's atomic model of a sphere of positive charge with negative electrons embedded throughout, like raisins in a pudding. The Early atomic models: from spheres to plum pudding notes cover this in full.
What are isotopes?
Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. The Isotopes and Atomic Notation notes cover this in full.
What is an element?
An element is a substance made of only one type of atom, represented by a unique chemical symbol. The Elements, Atoms and Symbols notes cover this in full.
What is a compound?
A compound is a substance formed when two or more elements are chemically combined in fixed proportions. The Compounds and Chemical Formulae notes cover this in full.
How many elements are in the modern periodic table?
The modern periodic table has 118 elements arranged in 18 groups and 7 periods. The Mendeleev's breakthrough and modern understanding notes cover this in full.
What is an ion?
An ion is an atom or group of atoms that has gained or lost electrons, giving it an overall electric charge. The Ion Formation and Electron Arrangement notes cover this in full.
How do you calculate relative atomic mass?
Relative atomic mass = sum of (isotope mass × abundance) ÷ 100. The Understanding Relative Atomic Mass notes cover this in full.
What is an alloy?
An alloy is a mixture of two or more elements, at least one of which is a metal. The Layered Structures and Alloys notes cover this in full.