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ScotlandChemistry

Area 1: Inorganic and Physical Chemistry

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

How do quantum numbers and orbitals explain the shape of the periodic table?

Quantum numbers and the shapes of s, p and d atomic orbitals; the aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle and Hund's rule used to write electronic configurations; and how electronic structure explains the s, p and d blocks and periodic trends in ionisation energy.
An SQA Advanced Higher Chemistry answer on atomic orbitals, electronic configurations and the periodic table, covering quantum numbers, the shapes of s, p and d orbitals, the aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle and Hund's rule, spectroscopic notation, the s, p and d blocks, and the periodic trends in ionisation energy.
13 min answer →

How do we measure and control the position of an equilibrium, including for weak acids and buffers?

The equilibrium constant K and its expression, Le Chatelier's principle, the dissociation of weak acids in terms of Ka and pKa, the calculation of pH for weak acids, the action of buffer solutions, and the selection of indicators for titrations.
An SQA Advanced Higher Chemistry answer on chemical equilibrium, covering the equilibrium constant K and its expression, Le Chatelier's principle, weak acids in terms of Ka and pKa, calculating the pH of a weak acid, the action and pH of buffer solutions, and selecting an indicator for a titration.
15 min answer →

How does light reveal the energy levels inside an atom?

The wave-particle nature of electromagnetic radiation, the relationships E = hf and c = f lambda, and how line emission and absorption spectra provide evidence for quantised electronic energy levels in atoms.
An SQA Advanced Higher Chemistry answer on electromagnetic radiation and atomic spectra, covering the wave-particle nature of light, the relationships E = hf and c = f lambda, the energy of a photon and of a mole of photons, and how line emission and absorption spectra give evidence for quantised electronic energy levels.
13 min answer →

How do rate equations reveal the mechanism of a reaction?

Rate equations of the form rate = k[A]^m[B]^n, the order of reaction with respect to each reactant and overall, the rate constant and its units, and the link between the rate equation, the rate-determining step and a reaction mechanism.
An SQA Advanced Higher Chemistry answer on kinetics, covering rate equations of the form rate = k[A]^m[B]^n, finding the order of reaction with respect to each reactant and overall, calculating the rate constant and its units, and using the rate equation to identify the rate-determining step and propose a reaction mechanism.
14 min answer →

Why do some reactions happen spontaneously and others do not?

Standard enthalpy and entropy changes, the second law of thermodynamics, and the Gibbs free energy relationship delta G = delta H - T delta S used to decide reaction feasibility, find the temperature of feasibility, and interpret Ellingham diagrams.
An SQA Advanced Higher Chemistry answer on reaction feasibility, covering standard enthalpy change, entropy and the second law of thermodynamics, the Gibbs free energy relationship delta G = delta H - T delta S, calculating the temperature at which a reaction becomes feasible, and interpreting Ellingham diagrams for metal extraction.
14 min answer →

Why are transition metal compounds coloured and catalytically active?

Transition metals as d-block elements with variable oxidation states; ligands and complexes with coordinate bonds, coordination number and shape; the origin of colour in d-d transitions and the splitting of d orbitals; and the catalytic properties of transition metals.
An SQA Advanced Higher Chemistry answer on transition metals and complexes, covering d-block elements, variable oxidation states and oxidation numbers, ligands and coordinate bonding, coordination number and shape, the origin of colour in d-d transitions from d-orbital splitting, and the catalytic properties of transition metals.
14 min answer →