9647 H2 Chemistry | PLANNING

Introduction General C Experimental skills and investigations

Students should be able to: 1. devise and plan investigations, select techniques, apparatus and materials; 2. use techniques, apparatus and materials safely and effectively; 3. make and record observations, measurements and estimates; 4. interpret and evaluate observations and experimental data; 5. evaluate methods and suggest possible improvements. Planning Candidates should be able to y y y y define question/problem using appropriate knowledge and understanding give a clear logical account of the experimental procedure to be followed describe how the data should be used in order to reach a conclusion assess the risks of the experiment and describe precautions that should be taken to keep risks to a minimum

Preparation / Answering Technique y y y Revise Preparation of Salts and Solubility Rules from O Levels Visualise the steps which you are carrying out Be specific and concise when writing out steps (apparatus (whether total volume can fit all reactants which you mention), clear drawings (how apparatus are connected to each other, labelling of reactants and how much of what concentration is used), mass or volume (not amount), note any assumptions made (perfect gas, gas is insoluble in water, no heat loss, enthalpy change does

not change with temperature, average values from Data Booklet), type of indicator used (SA-SB, SA-WB, WA-SB phenolphthalein, methyl orange), calculations (show working, if there is a range given, find minimum and maximum) y Know the different approaches to measure rate of reaction and their corresponding assumptions / limitations (mass loss, volume of gas produced, turbidity, sampling and titration with a known concentration of acid/base) Use apparatus with the right accuracy and precision to measure out the required volume / mass. E.g. use a pipette for 25.0 cm3 of acid/base compared to a measuring cylinder. For measuring masses, use the before and after approach. Measure the mass of the empty boat, boat + solid, final mass of boat after adding solid to determine the actual mass of solid which was actually transferred since some solid may still be stuck to the boat Be in the habit of washing your apparatus with distilled water to ensure all reactants are completely transferred and hence ensures more accurate readings (refer to answer scheme). Does not always apply for all steps Be clear of the differences and similarities of SN1 and SN2 reactions and be able to propose possible reaction mechanisms Note the different functional groups for organic compounds and their associated reactions during distinguishing tests (Na2CO3 reacts with acid, but not alcohol and ester, but Na reacts with all 3). Note multi-functional compounds and be careful of internal reactions (condensation between a hydroxy and acid group within the same molecule to give a cyclic ester) To check your answer, calculate the values (if possible) of enthalpy changes of reaction (using values of BE from Data Booklet) (though formation, neutralisation, combustion values may be unavailable). For constants like R (8.31441) and NA (6.02 x 1023), it is good to know them so you can compare your values and if there is close agreement, your answer should be correct Dont forget units and be consistent in working through your calculations (especially for (G since (H is usually in kJ mol-1 and (S is usually in J mol-1 K-1)

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Past Year Questions Determining enthalpy changes Titration + Qualitative Analysis Titration + Standardisation + VA Organic distinguishing tests Acid + Solid + Gas measurement Organic Synthesis + Solubility rules % purity in sample Determining constants (R, NA) HCI, PJC, TJC Innova, MJC ACJC, SAJC, VJC JJC AJC, CJC, TPJC DHS, YJC NJC RJC