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Northern IrelandChemistry

A2 1 Further Physical and Organic Chemistry

9 dot points across 9 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do we measure acidity using pH, Ka and buffers?

The Bronsted-Lowry theory, strong and weak acids and bases, pH and the calculation of pH for strong and weak acids using Ka and Kw, titration curves and indicators, and the action of buffer solutions.
A CCEA A-Level Chemistry answer on acid-base equilibria, covering the Bronsted-Lowry theory, strong and weak acids and bases, calculating pH using Ka and Kw, titration curves and choice of indicator, and the action and calculation of buffer solutions.
13 min answer →

How do amines and amino acids behave, and how do proteins form?

Amines as bases and nucleophiles, their preparation from haloalkanes and nitriles, the structure and zwitterion behaviour of amino acids, the formation of peptide bonds, and the isoelectric point.
A CCEA A-Level Chemistry answer on amines and amino acids, covering amine basicity and nucleophilic behaviour, preparation from haloalkanes and nitriles, the zwitterion structure of amino acids, the isoelectric point and the formation of peptide bonds.
12 min answer →

Why is benzene so stable, and how does it react?

The structure and delocalised bonding of benzene, the evidence for delocalisation, electrophilic substitution reactions including nitration and halogenation, and a comparison of the reactivity of benzene with alkenes and of phenol with benzene.
A CCEA A-Level Chemistry answer on aromatic chemistry, covering the delocalised structure of benzene, the thermochemical and bond-length evidence for delocalisation, electrophilic substitution by nitration and halogenation, and the relative reactivity of benzene, alkenes and phenol.
12 min answer →

How do aldehydes and ketones react, and how are they distinguished?

The structure and reactions of aldehydes and ketones, nucleophilic addition with hydrogen cyanide and reduction, oxidation of aldehydes, and the chemical tests that distinguish aldehydes from ketones.
A CCEA A-Level Chemistry answer on carbonyl compounds, covering the structure of aldehydes and ketones, nucleophilic addition of hydrogen cyanide, reduction, the oxidation of aldehydes, and the chemical tests that distinguish aldehydes from ketones.
12 min answer →

How do carboxylic acids and their derivatives react?

The acidity and reactions of carboxylic acids, the formation and hydrolysis of esters, acyl chlorides and acid anhydrides as reactive derivatives, and the production of soaps and biodiesel by ester hydrolysis and transesterification.
A CCEA A-Level Chemistry answer on carboxylic acids and their derivatives, covering acidity and reactions, ester formation and hydrolysis, acyl chlorides and acid anhydrides as reactive derivatives, and the production of soaps and biodiesel.
12 min answer →

How do we describe gaseous equilibria using partial pressures and Kp?

Partial pressures and mole fractions, the equilibrium constant Kp for gaseous equilibria, calculating Kp and equilibrium amounts, and the effect of temperature, pressure and a catalyst on Kp and the position of equilibrium.
A CCEA A-Level Chemistry answer on Kp, covering partial pressures and mole fractions, writing and calculating the equilibrium constant Kp for gaseous equilibria, finding equilibrium amounts, and the effect of temperature, pressure and a catalyst.
12 min answer →

How do stereoisomers arise, and why do they matter?

Stereoisomerism including E-Z (geometric) isomerism in alkenes and optical isomerism in molecules with a chiral centre, the rotation of plane-polarised light, racemic mixtures, and the importance of stereochemistry in pharmaceuticals.
A CCEA A-Level Chemistry answer on stereochemistry, covering E-Z geometric isomerism in alkenes, optical isomerism at a chiral centre, the rotation of plane-polarised light, racemic mixtures, and why stereochemistry matters in pharmaceuticals.
12 min answer →

How do rate equations and orders reveal the mechanism of a reaction?

Rate equations, order of reaction and the rate constant, determining orders from initial rates and concentration-time graphs, half-life, the rate-determining step, and the effect of temperature on the rate constant.
A CCEA A-Level Chemistry answer on kinetics, covering rate equations, order of reaction and the rate constant, finding orders from initial-rate and concentration-time data, half-life, the rate-determining step, and the effect of temperature on the rate constant.
13 min answer →

What makes a reaction feasible, and how do we build Born-Haber cycles?

Lattice enthalpy and Born-Haber cycles, enthalpies of solution and hydration, entropy and the second law, and the use of free energy change to decide the feasibility of a reaction.
A CCEA A-Level Chemistry answer on thermodynamics, covering lattice enthalpy and Born-Haber cycles, enthalpies of solution and hydration, entropy and the second law, and using the free energy change to decide whether a reaction is feasible.
13 min answer →