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Topic 7: Energetics I

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do we measure and calculate the energy released or absorbed in a reaction?

Enthalpy change, exothermic and endothermic reactions, standard enthalpy changes, calorimetry, Hess's law and enthalpy cycles, and mean bond enthalpy calculations.
An Edexcel 9CH0 Topic 7 answer covering enthalpy change, exothermic and endothermic reactions, standard enthalpies, calorimetry, Hess's law cycles and mean bond enthalpies.
11 min answer →

Where does a reversible reaction settle, and how can we shift it?

Dynamic equilibrium, Le Chatelier's principle, the effects of concentration, pressure, temperature and catalysts on the position of equilibrium, and the meaning of the equilibrium constant Kc.
An Edexcel 9CH0 Topic 10 answer covering dynamic equilibrium, Le Chatelier's principle, the effects of changing conditions, and the equilibrium constant Kc with worked calculations.
11 min answer →

Why do molecular substances have the physical properties they do?

London (dispersion) forces, permanent dipole-dipole forces and hydrogen bonding, how they arise, and how they explain boiling points, solubility and the anomalous properties of water.
An Edexcel 9CH0 Topic 8 answer covering London forces, permanent dipole-dipole forces and hydrogen bonding, and how they explain boiling points, solubility and the properties of water.
10 min answer →

What controls how fast a chemical reaction goes?

Collision theory, activation energy, the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, and the effects of temperature, concentration, surface area and catalysts on the rate of reaction.
An Edexcel 9CH0 Topic 9 answer covering collision theory, activation energy, the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, and how temperature, concentration, surface area and catalysts affect reaction rate.
10 min answer →

How do alcohols and haloalkanes react, and how do we begin to identify organic compounds?

The reactions of alcohols (oxidation, dehydration, ester formation) and haloalkanes (nucleophilic substitution and elimination), and an introduction to mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy.
An Edexcel 9CH0 Topic 11 answer covering alcohol oxidation, dehydration and ester formation, haloalkane nucleophilic substitution and elimination, and an introduction to mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy.
11 min answer →