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C1: The Language of Chemistry and Structure of Matter (C1.2 Basic ideas about atoms)

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What is inside an atom, and how do mass spectra and electron arrangements explain chemical behaviour?

Subatomic particles and isotopes, relative atomic mass from mass spectra, the principles of time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and electron configuration in shells, sub-shells and orbitals including ionisation energy evidence.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry C1.2 answer on subatomic particles, isotopes, relative atomic mass from mass spectra, time-of-flight mass spectrometry and electron configuration with ionisation energy evidence.
11 min answer →

What holds atoms together, and how does the type of bonding explain a substance's shape and properties?

Ionic, covalent, dative and metallic bonding, electronegativity and bond polarity, the shapes of simple molecules and ions from electron-pair repulsion, and the intermolecular forces.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry C1.4 answer on ionic, covalent, dative and metallic bonding, electronegativity and polarity, molecular shapes from electron-pair repulsion, and intermolecular forces.
11 min answer →

How does the mole let us count particles and predict the masses, gas volumes and concentrations in a reaction?

The Avogadro constant and the mole, molar mass, the ideal gas equation, empirical and molecular formulae, concentration and titration calculations, percentage yield and atom economy.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry C1.3 answer on the Avogadro constant, molar mass, the ideal gas equation, empirical and molecular formulae, concentrations, titrations, percentage yield and atom economy.
12 min answer →

How do we write the formulae of compounds and balance the equations that describe their reactions?

Writing formulae from ionic charges and oxidation states, constructing balanced chemical and ionic equations with state symbols, and using the language of chemistry consistently.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry C1.1 answer on writing formulae from ionic charges, constructing balanced full and ionic equations with state symbols, and the conventions of chemical language.
10 min answer →

How does the way particles are arranged in a solid explain its melting point, hardness and conductivity?

The four types of crystalline solid (ionic, simple molecular, giant covalent and metallic), their structures, and how structure and bonding explain physical properties.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry C1.5 answer on ionic, simple molecular, giant covalent and metallic crystalline solids and how their structure and bonding explain melting point, hardness, solubility and conductivity.
10 min answer →

How do the properties of the elements repeat across the periodic table, and why?

Periodicity of atomic radius, ionisation energy and melting temperature across Periods 2 and 3, the s, p and d blocks, and the trends explained by electronic structure and nuclear charge.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry C1.6 answer on periodicity across Periods 2 and 3: trends in atomic radius, ionisation energy and melting temperature, the s, p and d blocks, and their explanation from electronic structure.
10 min answer →