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ScotlandChemistry

Area 3: Chemistry in Society

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

How do chemists separate, identify and measure the substances in a sample?

The principles of chromatography for separating mixtures, the use of volumetric (titration) analysis to find an unknown concentration, the idea of standard solutions, and how to interpret analytical data to identify and quantify substances.
An SQA Higher Chemistry answer on chemical analysis, covering the principles of chromatography for separating mixtures, volumetric (titration) analysis to find an unknown concentration, standard solutions, and how analytical data is interpreted to identify and quantify substances.
11 min answer →

How do chemists measure and calculate the energy released by reactions?

Enthalpy changes of combustion, formation and neutralisation, the calculation of energy released using the formula relating energy, mass, specific heat capacity and temperature change, and the use of Hess's law to find an unknown enthalpy change.
An SQA Higher Chemistry answer on chemical energy, covering the enthalpies of combustion, formation and neutralisation, calculating energy released using the formula linking energy, mass, specific heat capacity and temperature change, and using Hess's law to find an unknown enthalpy change.
11 min answer →

How do chemists control the position of an equilibrium to maximise yield?

Dynamic equilibrium in reversible reactions, the effect of concentration, pressure, temperature and catalysts on the position of equilibrium, Le Chatelier's principle, and how industry uses these to maximise yield.
An SQA Higher Chemistry answer on controlling the rate and equilibrium, covering dynamic equilibrium in reversible reactions, the effect of concentration, pressure, temperature and catalysts on the position of equilibrium, Le Chatelier's principle, and how industry applies these to maximise yield.
11 min answer →

How do chemists make industrial processes as efficient as possible?

Calculations of percentage yield and atom economy, the use of an excess reagent, identifying the limiting reactant, and the factors that make an industrial process efficient and sustainable.
An SQA Higher Chemistry answer on getting the most from reactants, covering calculations of percentage yield and atom economy, the use of an excess reagent, identifying the limiting reactant, and the factors that make an industrial process efficient and sustainable.
11 min answer →

How are oxidising and reducing agents used in everyday life and industry?

The use of oxidising agents as antiseptics, bleaches and in rocket fuels, the action of oxidising agents in killing bacteria and breaking down coloured compounds, redox titrations, and combining half-equations to give a balanced redox equation.
An SQA Higher Chemistry answer on oxidising and reducing agents in society, covering the use of oxidising agents as antiseptics, bleaches and rocket fuels, how they kill bacteria and break down coloured compounds, redox titrations, and combining half-equations into a balanced redox equation.
11 min answer →