The Becket School
CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT
Name:
…………………………………………………
CHEMISTRY
Introduction:
Welcome to the Becket School and AS Level Chemistry. As an introduction to some of the
ideas and content of the course, a ‘transition’ topic has been devised. The purpose of this
topic is to help you (and your teachers) realise what you know from GCSE as well as
enabling you to make an informed decision about whether Chemistry is the right choice for
you. The transition topic also includes a research task to allow you to revise and review
your learning on the key types of structures and bonding in Chemistry.
As such, this transition topic and the research task will be due for completion by the end
of the first week of your studies at the Becket School.
The content of this topic is taken from aspects of GCSE Chemistry that overlap with the
AS course, as well as some new knowledge from AS Level. Therefore there may be areas
that you struggle with, and that is fine, but it is expected that you research, read and find
out at least something about each area.
For your information, the course that you will be following is AQA GCE Chemistry. You will
also be given an AQA textbook and the opportunity to buy a CGP revision guide (at less
than half of the retail price) in the first few weeks to help you with your studies.
Good luck!
Research Task: Types of Structures
Review of prior GCSE knowledge and understanding
In chemistry we are interested in different type of structures and bonding because it has
a big impact on the properties of a chemical. The key structures are shown below and you
should have met these at GCSE.
Prior Knowledge:
 Ionic bonding involves electrostatic
attraction between oppositely
charged ions in a lattice.

A single covalent bond contains a
shared pair of electrons.

Metallic bonding involves attraction
between delocalised electrons and
positive ions arranged in a lattice.
Task:
You will be expected to know about each of these structures throughout the A level
Chemistry course. In preparation for this we would like you to create a resource that
summarises your knowledge of these four key structures:

Giant ionic structures

Giant covalent structures

Simple covalent molecules

Giant metallic structures
Your work should:
 Describe each structure (use diagrams to help)

Give examples of each type of structure.

Describe the properties of each structure.

Explain the properties by linking them to the structure.
You might like to create a PowerPoint presentation, an information leaflet or a poster but
a hard copy of your work must be handed in.
Use your GCSE resources and the internet to refresh your knowledge. DO NOT COPY
AND PASTE – you may use sources to help your understand the information but you must
explain this in your own words. Please try to reference any sources used.
Time allowed 2-3 hours.
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Section 1:
Formulae, equations and amounts of substance
1) Balance the following equations:
____ CH4 + ____ O2  ____ CO2 + ____ H2O
____ C3H8 + ____ O2  ____ CO2 + ____ H2O
____ MgF2 + ____ Li2CO3  ____ MgCO3 + ____ LiF
____ Na3P + ____ CaF2  ____ NaF + ____ Ca3P2
____ CaF2 + ____ Li2SO4  ____ CaSO4 + ____ LiF
____ Pb(OH)2 + ____ HCl  ____ H2O + ____ PbCl2
____ AlBr3 + ____ K2SO4  ____ KBr + ____ Al2(SO4)3
____ Na3PO4 + ____ CaCl2  ____ NaCl + ____ Ca3(PO4)2
2) A piece of lithium metal was burned in air. Write a balanced equation, with state
symbols, for this reaction.
3) What is Avogadro’s Number?
4) Define a mole, using Avogadro’s Number to help you.
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5) Work out the relative formula masses (Mr or RFM) of the following chemicals:
Compound
Calculation
Mr/RFM
LiF
C2H4
NaHCO3
KNO3
H2SO4
Zn(CN)2
6) When calcium carbonate is heated up it decomposes into calcium oxide and carbon
dioxide. This is called ‘thermal decomposition’.
a. Write a balanced symbol equation for this reaction, including state symbols.
b. Work out the ‘theoretical yield’ of calcium oxide that you should obtain from
10g of calcium carbonate. Show your working out.
Theoretical yield = _______ g
c. If, practically, 4.8g of CaO were made, what would the percentage yield be?
Percentage yield = _______ %
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Section 2:
Energetics
1) Draw an energy level diagram for an exothermic reaction. Label the reactants,
products and activation energy. Annotate the diagram to show how a catalyst would
affect this reaction.
2) Draw an energy level diagram for an endothermic reaction. Label the reactants,
products and activation energy. Annotate the diagram to show how a catalyst would
affect this reaction.
3) Define activation energy.
4) Define a catalyst.
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Section 3:
Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
1) Complete the following table to show the number of protons, neutrons and electrons
in the following chemical species
Chemical
Species
Protons
Neutrons
Electrons
H
Li+
LiN3Ca2+
Kr
Sn
2) Copper has a relative atomic mass of 63.5. Why is this not a whole number?
3) Carbon has 3 main isotopes, carbon-12, carbon-13 and carbon-14.
a. Define the term isotope.
b. Draw a carbon-12 atom, using the symbols p for proton, n for neutron and x
for electron.
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Section 4:
Bonding
1) Draw a dot and cross diagram for the following chemicals:
a. Lithium fluoride
b. Methane
c. Chloride ion
d. Carbon dioxide
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