A-level Chemistry Project
The periodic table and the structure of the atom form some of the fundamental ideas on
Chemistry. We now take for granted the ideas and theories that are presented to us, but it
took time for these theories to be developed. For many it was their life’s work and from
them we are able to build and further the boundaries of Science.
This project is designed for you to research, investigate and learn the basic principles
used in A-level Chemistry. The task is designed to provide you the opportunity to
demonstrate that you have the necessary skills to be successful in A-level Chemistry. The
ideas that you will study in this project provide the foundations of the first year course.
The following list is a guide and should not be a definitive list to limit your work in anyway.
You should present your project in a way that best demonstrates your ability.
Make notes on the following
1. The structure of the atom, including electronic structure and how it relates to the
periodic table.
2. Isotopes and how mass spectrometry is used to work out the relative atomic mass of
elements that contain isotopes.
3. Redox, Oxidation and Reduction. What are oxidation numbers and what are the rules
for working out the oxidation number of an element in a compound.
4. Ionic boning, including the structure of ionic compounds, examples of dot cross
diagrams, properties of ionic compounds and explanations of these properties.
5. Covalent boning, including the structure of covalent compounds, examples of dot
cross diagrams, properties of covalent compounds and explanations of these
properties.
6. The periodic table, how the elements are arranged and what information does the
periodic table and its layout give us.
7. Describe and explain the trends in the periodic table. Bonding, Reactivity, Melting and
boiling points, atomic radius, ionisation energy and electronegativity.
8. A mole, how is it used to calculate amounts in Chemistry. How can we work out the
amount in moles of a solid compound, a solution of a compound and a gas compound?
9. Organic Chemistry, what are the main functional groups used in A-level organic
chemistry. What are the structures and names of each one?
10. How do we name organic molecules in Chemistry? What are the steps to naming
Alkanes, Alkenes and alcohols?