Choice of written task 1: AMMONIA
The subject of Chemistry is one of the best. Here at John Taylor we love our chemistry and we'd like
you to show your love and knowledge of the subject via one of our world’s most important
molecules - ammonia.
Ammonia is one of the most important molecules on Planet Earth. It is thought the nitrogen in our
atmosphere today is from volcanic emissions billions of years ago. One third of the Earth’s
population rely on Ammonia to produce fertilisers to grow food.
As Chemists we consider ammonia from many different angles; this is what we would like you to do.
We ask that you consider the electronic structure of ammonia; its physical properties; its bonding;
and its shape. In essence we ask you to say what ammonia is made of, how and why it bonds and
why ammonia can always be found to have the same shape. Good luck.
Task 1: How would you explain the electronic structure of ammonia. What conclusions can you draw
about how the electrons are organised?
Task 2: What are the key physical properties of ammonia? Can these properties be explained using
the idea of intermolecular forces? How do the intermolecular forces differ at various temperatures?
Task 3: Describe the electronegativity of the atoms in ammonia. Write & illustrate a brief outline of
the bonds in ammonia molecules and the polarity they possess.
Task 4: Ammonia has a very specific shape. Can you illustrate the 3D structure of ammonia? What
are the electron pairs that influence the shape of the ammonia molecule? Judge how each pair
affects this shape.
Key Words to include: Electron; pair; energy level; covalent; share; intramolecular; intermolecular;
melting; boiling; ice; polarity; electronegativity; polar, uneven; sharing; angles; VSEPR; valence
electron; lone pair; bonding pair; & repulsion.
Recommended Resources:
Chemguide:
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/atommenu.html
Chem 1 Concept Builder:
http://www.chem1.com/acad/sci/aboutwater.html
Doc Brown:
http://www.docbrown.info
All the Chemistry Teachers at John Taylor wish you good luck. A presentation with many more
resources to help you can be found at:
http://prezi.com/b5iq4f84pcit/ammonia-year-11-into-12-chemistry-project/
Choice of written task 2: WATER
The subject of chemistry is one of the best. Here at John Taylor we love our chemistry and we'd like
you to show your love and knowledge of the subject via one of our world’s most important
molecules - water.
Water is one of the most abundant molecule on Planet Earth. It covers 71 % of the Earth's surface
and it is thought that without this miraculous molecule life is unable to exist throughout the
universe.
As Chemists we consider water from many different angles; this is what we would like you to do.
We ask that you consider the electronic structure of water; its physical properties; its bonding; and
its shape. In essence we ask you to say what water is made of, how and why it bonds and why water
can always be found to have the same shape. Good luck.
Task 1: How would you explain the electronic structure of water. What conclusions can you draw
about how the electrons are organised?
Task 2: What are the key physical properties of water? What do you think about the arrangement of
water molecules at different temperatures? How do the intermolecular forces differ at various
temperatures?
Task 3: Describe the electronegativity of the atoms in water. Write & illustrate a brief outline of the
bonds in water molecules and the polarity they possess.
Task 4: Water has a very specific shape. Can you illustrate the 3D structure of water? What are the
electron pairs that influence the shape of the water molecule? Judge how each pair affects this
shape.
Key Words to include: electron; pair; energy level; covalent; share; intramolecular; intermolecular;
melting; boiling; ice; polarity; electronegativity; polar, uneven; sharing; angles; VSEPR; valence
electron; lone pair; bonding pair; & repulsion.
Recommended Resources:
Chemguide:
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/atommenu.html
Chem 1 Concept Builder:
http://www.chem1.com/acad/sci/aboutwater.html
Doc Brown:
http://www.docbrown.info
All the Chemistry Teachers at John Taylor wish you good luck. A presentation with resources can be
found at:
http://prezi.com/xbr8c13mgun-/year-11-into-12-chemistry-project/