1. atoms, metals and acid/base reactions
Aspects of Chemistry
atoms, metals and
acid/base reactions

2. Atomic structure review the particle nature of matter
identify and diagram the parts of an atom
electron shells
The periodic table: Groups and Periods
Be is in Group 2, Period 2; what does this mean in terms of its atomic structure?
Click here for a very good overview of this topic and here for a quiz
Answer: Be has 2 outer shell electrons AND 2 shells

3. Ions
An ion is formed when an atom donates OR accepts an electron (s). Follow this link for a very good overview.
A positive ion is formed when an atom donates electrons
A negative ion is formed when an atom accepts electrons
What is the formula of calcium ion? Explain your answer
Answer: Ca2+. When Ca atom donates 2 electrons, it’s left with 18 electrons and 20 protons. There is a ‘surplus’ of 2 (+) protons

4. Writing formulae of ionic compounds
Step 1: write the formulae of the ions
Step 2: work out the minimum number of each ion that is needed to make a finished formula that has a total charge of zero
Step 3: write the finished formula with the positive ion first; don’t show the ion charges. If the ion is a compound ion, then enclose it in brackets if more than one is present in the finished formula
Follow this link for a very good overview and quiz

5. Ionic formulae: worked examples
Example 1: write the formula of the compound formed from the following ions:
Iron (III) ion and oxide
Step 1: The ion formulae are Fe3+ and O2-
Step 2: A minimum of 2 x Fe3+ and 3 x O2- are needed to give a total charge of zero (2 x 3+ = 6+ and 3 x 2- = 6-; 6+ added to 6- = 0)
Step 3: The finished formula (for iron (III) oxide) is Fe2O3
Example 2: what is the formula for the compound produced from the following ions:
carbonate and zinc ion
The ion formulae are CO32- and Zn2+
The minimum number needed of each is one ( = 0)
The finished formula (for zinc carbonate) is ZnCO3
Write the formulae for: barium hydroxide, magnesium nitrate and aluminium chloride
Ba (OH)2 , Mg (NO3)2 and Al Cl3

6. Metals
Identify the periods and the groups in which the metals are found
Follow this link to find out about the arrangement of metal atoms
Describe the key properties of metals
Click here to view the effect of heating on metals
Describe the reaction of metals with oxygen, water and dilute acid
Reactivity series
What causes rusting?

7. Metal reactions
Write a word equation for the reaction of magnesium with oxygen
What test could you perform to find out if metal oxides are acidic or basic?
Write a word and balanced symbol equation for the reaction of calcium with water
What gas is produced when metals react with acid?
Magnesium + oxygen magnesium oxide
Add universal indicator; if it turns blue or purple, they’re basic
calcium + water calcium hydroxide + hydrogen gas
Ca + 2H2O Ca(OH)2 + H2
hydrogen

8. Uses of metals Relate their uses to their properties and reactivity:
Copper: plumbing (malleable; not very reactive); sculpture (malleable, shiny); electrical wiring (ductile, very high electrical conductivity); cooking utensils (high heat conductivity)
Aluminium: structural uses (malleable, low density, very reactive, but aluminium oxide coating limits further corrosion); electrical wiring (ductile, high conductivity); cooking utensils (malleable, heat conductivity)
Iron: structural (strong); frying pans (heat conductivity and malleable); alloyed to make steel (multiple applications)
Lead: ridges in roofing (malleable, low reactivity); fishing sinkers and bullets (dense, malleable)

9. Metal compounds Metal oxides Metal hydroxides Metal carbonates
Metal hydrogen carbonates
All the above are bases

10. Acids and Bases pH less than 7 Turn litmus red
Turn universal indicator yellow, orange or red
Neutralise bases (metal oxides and hydroxides)
React with carbonates and hydrogen carbonates to produce CO2
Acids
pH greater than 7
Turn litmus blue
Turn universal indicator blue or purple
Neutralise acids
Bases