Bridging the Gap between

GCSE and A level Chemistry

• You should use your GCSE revision guide and your class notes to complete the
following questions
• You can check your answers at the end of the power point, with the answers section
• If you are unsure about anything, you should speak to your Chemistry teacher when
you arrive at Upton-by-Chester High School in September
• Please bring a copy of the completed work to your first Chemistry lesson – it will be
checked!
If you need to do more preparation……
• Try ‘Head Start’ to AS Chemistry

• Buy on line at:

https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/

• ISBN 978 1 84762 116 0

• Only £4.95!
 Make notes on the topics below, using your
GCSE Revision Guide
• Atomic Structure
• Atomic Number, Atomic Mass & Isotopes
• Balancing Equations
• Chemical Calculations (inc. Mr, Empirical Formula, Molecular formulas, calculating reacting
amounts)
• Ionic Bonding (inc. explaining the properties of giant ionic structures)
• Ionic Formula
• Covalent Bonding (inc. explaining the properties of simple molecules &giant covalent
structures)
• Metallic bonding (inc. explaining the properties of giant metallic substances)
• Crude Oil
• Cracking
• Polymers Now try the questions!
Atomic Structure – Complete the table below
Particle Relative Mass Relative charge

Proton

Neutron

Electron
 Atomic Number, Mass Number, Ions &
Isotopes
Element or Symbol Z A Protons Electrons Neutrons
ion
Sodium
6 12
12 12
Chlorine 17 35
Chlorine 17 37
Lithium ion Li+
Chlorine ion Cl- 35.5

1. Define an isotope.
2. There are 2 isotopes of Cl. 35Cl and 37Cl. What would you observe when they react?
Balance the following equations
1) Mg + O2  MgO
2) F2 + KBr  KF + Br2
3) Al + O2  Al2O3
4) Na + Cl2  NaCl
5) CuCO3  CuO + CO2
6) K + O2  K2O
7) C4H8 + O2  CO2 + H2O
8) Ba(OH)2 + H2SO4  BaSO4 + H2O
9) FeCl3 + NaOH  Fe(OH)3 + NaCl
10) HCl + Ba(OH)2  BaCl2 + H2O
 Chemical Calculations
1) a) Calculate the Mr of: i) Br2 ii) K2CO3 iii) (NH4)2SO4 (3)
b) Calculate the percentage of oxygen in K2CO3. (1)
2) a) Define the terms empirical formula and molecular formula. (2)
b) A hydrocarbon was found to contain 82.8% by mass of carbon. It has an
Mr of 58. Find the empirical and molecular formulas of this compound.
(3)
c) 1 g of sulphur was burned forming 2.5 g of an oxide. Find the empirical
formula of the oxide. (2)
3) What mass of calcium oxide is formed from the decomposition of 180 g
of calcium carbonate?
CaCO3(s)  CaO(s) + CO2(g) (3)
 Structure and Bonding
1) Explain each of the following about melting and boiling points:
a) Simple molecular substances have low melting and boiling points. (2)
b) Giant covalent substances have very high melting and boiling points. (2)
b) Ionic substances have high melting and boiling points. (2)
c) Metals have quite high melting and boiling points. (2)

2) Explain each of the following about electrical conductivity:

a) Simple molecular substances do not conduct at all. (1)
b) Giant covalent substances do not conduct, apart from graphite. (3)
c) Ionic substances conduct when melted or dissolved, but not when solid. (3)
d) Metals conduct as solids and when melted. (2)
 What type of Structure is it?
Melting point Boiling Electrical Electrical Electrical
(C) conductivity as conductivity as conductivity as
point (C) Type of Structure (simple or giant)
solid liquid aqueous
& Bonding (covalent, ionic or
solution
metallic)

A 54 120 poor poor poor

B 403 567 good good not soluble
C -210 -196 poor poor poor
D 1610 2230 poor poor not soluble
E 615 876 poor good good
F 3727 4827 good not soluble
G 56 342 good good good
H 934 1568 poor good insoluble
I -105 -45 poor poor good
Ionic Formula – Work out the ionic formula of
the following:
Positive ions Negative Ions
1. silver nitrate
Silver, Ag+ Nitrate, NO3-
2. iron (III) hydroxide
Ammonium, NH4+ Hydroxide, OH-
3. ammonium chloride
Lithium, Li+ Chloride, Cl-
4. lithium oxide Sodium, Na+ Oxide, O2-
5. copper carbonate Copper, Cu2+ Carbonate, CO32-
6. sodium sulphate Calcium, Ca2+ Sulphate, SO42-
7. iron (II) sulphate Iron (II), Fe2+
8. calcium hydroxide Iron (III), Fe3+
 Crude Oil
The alkanes are a homologous series of saturated hydrocarbons.
a) What is a hydrocarbon? (2)
b) What is a homologous series? (2)
c) What is meant by the word saturated in this context? (1)
d) Draw the structure of propane. (1)
e) Octane is a straight chain alkane containing eight carbon atoms.
i) Write its molecular formula. (1)
ii) Draw its structural formula. (1)
f) Write a balanced equation for the complete combustion of propane.
(1)
g) Write a balanced equation for the incomplete combustion of propane,
where a toxic gas is formed. (1)
Cracking p o ro us p o t

p a ra ffin a nd

1) Cracking is a thermal decomposition reaction. Define thermal

decomposition. (2)
2) What is produced when long alkanes are cracked and explain they are
cracked. (3)
3) Why is the porous pot used in Cracking? (1)
4) Why would “suck back” have happened if the tube had not been removed
at the end? (2)
5) What happened when bromine water was added to the tube of gas
collected? (1)
Polymers

1. Complete the table opposite

2. What is meant by the term
‘Monomer’?
3. What is meant by the term ‘
Polymer?
4. What is the formula of
tetrafluoroethane?
5. What feature allows these
molecules to be polymerised?
 Answer section
Remember, if you are still unsure after
checking your answers, speak to your
Chemistry Teacher!
Atomic Structure – Complete the table below
Particle Relative Mass Relative charge

Proton 1 +1

Neutron 1 None

Electron 1/ -1
1840 or neglible
 Atomic Number, Mass Number, Ions &
Isotopes
Element or Symbol Z A Protons Electrons Neutrons
ion
Sodium Na 11 23 11 11 12
Carbon C 6 12 6 6 6
Magnesium Mg 12 24 12 12 12
Chlorine Cl 17 35 17 17 18
Chlorine Cl 17 37 17 17 20
Lithium ion Li+ 3 7 3 2 4
Chlorine ion Cl- 17 35.5 17 18 18.5

1. Define an isotope. Same number of protons and electron, but a different number of neutrons
2. There are 2 isotopes of Cl. 35Cl and 37Cl. What would you observe when they react? There is no
difference because both isotopes have the same number of electrons in their outer shell
Balance the following equations
1) 2Mg + O2  2MgO
2) F2 + 2KBr  2KF + Br2
3) 4Al + 3O2  2Al2O3
4) 2Na + Cl2  2NaCl
5) CuCO3  CuO + CO2 already balanced!
6) 4K + O2  2K2O
7) C4H8 + 6O2  4CO2 + 4H2O
8) Ba(OH)2 + H2SO4  BaSO4 + 2H2O
9) FeCl3 + 3NaOH  Fe(OH)3 + 3NaCl
10) 2HCl + Ba(OH)2  BaCl2 + 2H2O
 Chemical Calculations 1
1) a) Calculate the Mr of: i) Br2 160 ii) K2CO3 132 iii) (NH4)2SO4 134
b) Calculate the percentage of oxygen in K2CO3. (16 x 3) / 132 = 0.36 x 100 = 36%
2) a) Define the terms empirical formula: Simplest ratio of atoms
molecular formula: Actual number of Atoms
b) A hydrocarbon was found to contain 82.8% by mass of carbon. It has an Mr of 58. Find the empirical
(see working below) C2H5 and molecular formulas of this compound. The empirical formula has a mass of 29.
58/29 = 2, so we need double the molecular formula C4H10

C H
Mass (g) 82.8g 100 – 82.8 = 17.2
Divide by Mr 82.8/12 17.2/1
= 6.9 17.2
Divide by smallest 6.9/6.9 = 1 17.2 / 6.9 = 2.5
no.
Answer 2C 5H
 Chemical Calculations 2
c) 1 g of sulphur was burned forming 2.5 g of an oxide. Find the empirical
formula of the oxide. (2)
S O
Mass (g) 1g 2.5 - 1= 1.5
Divide by Mr 1/32 1.5 / 16
= 0.03 0.09
Divide by smallest no. 0.03/0.03 = 1 0.03 / 0.09 = 3
Answer 1S 3O

3)What mass of calcium oxide is formed from the decomposition of 180 g of calcium carbonate?
CaCO3(s)  CaO(s) + CO2(g)
nCaCO3 = M / Mr = 180 / (40 + 12 + 16 x 3) = 1.8 moles
nCaCO3 = nCaO = 1.8 moles
M CaO= n x Mr = 1.8 x (40 + 16) = 100.8g
 Structure and Bonding Question 1
Explain each of the following about melting and boiling points:
a) Simple molecular substances have low melting and boiling points.
Weak forces (1) between the molecules (not atoms!) (1)
b) Giant covalent substances have very high melting and boiling points.
Many strong (1) covalent bonds between the atoms (not molecules!) (2)
b) Ionic substances have high melting and boiling points.
Ionic compounds are held together by many strong electrostatic
attractions or attractions between oppositely charged ions(1)
Lots energy is needed to overcome them (1) (no mention of molecules!)
c) Metals have quite high melting and boiling points.
Metals are held together by many strong electrostatic attractions or
attractions between positive ions and negative electrons(1)
Lots of energy is needed to overcome these attractions(1) (no mention of
molecules!)
 Structure and Bonding Question 2
Explain each of the following about electrical conductivity:
a) Simple molecular substances do not conduct at all.
No free electrons or movement of charge (1)
b) Giant covalent substances do not conduct, apart from graphite.
No free electrons or movement of charge (1)
In graphite only 3 electrons are used in bonding (1)
Leaves a free electron to conduct electricity (1)
c) Ionic substances conduct when melted or dissolved, but not when solid.
When solid the ions are in fixed positions, so there is no movement of charge (1)
when the ions are dissolved in water or melted they are free to move (1)
This allows charge to flow (1)
No mention of moving electrons – there are no free electrons
d) Metals conduct as solids and when melted.
Have delocalised / free moving electrons (1)
charge can be carried through the structure (1)
 What type of Structure is it?
Melting point Boiling Electrical Electrical Electrical
(C) conductivity as conductivity as conductivity as
point (C) Type of structure & bonding
solid liquid aqueous
solution

A 54 120 poor poor poor Simple molecular, covalent

B 403 567 good good not soluble Giant metallic
C -210 -196 poor poor poor Simple molecular, covalent
D 1610 2230 poor poor not soluble Giant covalent
E 615 876 poor good good Giant ionic
F 3727 4827 good not soluble Giant metallic
G 56 342 good good good Giant ionic
H 934 1568 poor good insoluble Giant ionic
I -105 -45 poor poor good Simple molecular, covalent
Ionic Formula – Work out the ionic formula of
the following:
1. silver nitrate 1. AgNO3
2. iron (III) hydroxide 2. Fe(OH)3
3. ammonium chloride 3. NH4Cl
4. lithium oxide 4. Li2O
5. copper carbonate 5. CuCO3
6. sodium sulphate 6. Na2SO4
7. iron (II) sulphate 7. FeSO4
8. calcium hydroxide 8. Ca(OH)2
 Crude Oil
a) What is a hydrocarbon? Only – 1 Compound containing H & C -1
b) What is a homologous series? series of compounds that have similar properties - 1 and the same general formula. - 1

c) What is meant by the word saturated in this context? No C=C bond

d) Draw the structure of propane.

e) Octane is a straight chain alkane containing eight carbon atoms.

i) Write its molecular formula. C8H18
ii) Draw its structural formula.

iii) f) Write a balanced equation for the complete combustion of propane.

C3H8 + 4.5O2  3CO2 + 4H2O to get rid of halves, double everything! 2C3H8 + 9O2  6CO2 + 8H2O

g) Write a balanced equation for the incomplete combustion of propane, where a toxic gas is formed.
C3H8 + 3.5O2  3CO + 4H2O to get rid of halves, double everything! 2C3H8 + 7O2  6CO + 8H2O
Cracking
1) Cracking is a thermal decomposition reaction. Define thermal decomposition.
Thermal – using heat (1)
To break down the compound (1)
2) What is produced when long alkanes are cracked and explain they are
cracked. Short chain alkane (1) Short chain Alkenes (1) These
molecules are in higher demand than long chain alkanes (1)
3) Why is the porous pot used in Cracking?Catalyst (1)
4) Why would “suck back” have happened if the tube had not been removed at
the end? The hot air in the heated test tube would have contracted (1) this
would have sucked cold water into the hot test tube, causing it to shatter (1)
5) What happened when bromine water was added to the tube of gas
collected? Turned colourless (NOT clear!) (1)
 1. Complete the table opposite
Polymers 2. What is meant by the term
‘Monomer’?
Identical small molecules, than often
contain a C=C bond
3. What is meant by the term ‘
Polymer?
Large molecule made up of many
identical repeat units called
polypropene monomers
4. What is the formula of
tetrafluoroethane? C2H4
Tetrafluoro 5. What feature allows these
ethane molecules to be polymerised?
C=C double bond