AECHE Semester 1 Shereef Cheatsheet

Year 11 Chemistry Ultimate Summary By Shereef Magar


How to Use This Guide

  1. Use this as a quick recap, not a full textbook replacement
  2. Focus first on definitions, formulas, and key trends
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Atom

  • Definition: An atom is the smallest unit of an element that makes up all matter.
  • Subatomic Particles: Inside an atom, there are three subatomic particles: protons (+), neutrons (0), and electrons (-).
  • Nucleus: The dense positively charged centre of an atom that contains protons and neutrons. (Plural is nuclei).
  • Electron Cloud: A large empty space around the nucleus where the electrons roam around.
  • Mass: Protons and neutrons have the same mass; electrons have a drastically lower mass.

Nuclear Notation / Isotopic Notation

ZAX{}_{Z}^{A}X

SymbolDefinition
XSymbol of element
AMass Number: Total number of neutrons and protons
ZAtomic Number: Number of protons

Notes: Charge indicates if there are more or less electrons. Example: 818O2{}_{8}^{18}O^{2-}.


Ions

  • Definition: An ion is an atom (or group of atoms) that has gained or lost electrons so that it has a charge.
  • Cation: A positively charged ion. It forms when an atom loses one or more electrons.
  • Anion: A negatively charged ion. It forms when an atom gains one or more electrons.

Electrostatic Force

  • Electrostatic Attraction: The attraction between oppositely charged particles.
  • Electrostatic Repulsion: The repulsion between same charged particles.

Isotopes

  • Definition: Atoms of the same element with the same protons but different neutrons (and therefore different mass number).
  • Chemical Properties: Isotopes have the same chemical properties because they have the same amount of protons and electrons (same element).
  • Physical Properties: Isotopes have different physical properties because they have a different number of neutrons and therefore different masses.
  • Impact of Mass: Difference of mass can affect density, melting/boiling points, and stability.
  • Instability: If an atom has relatively too many neutrons compared to protons, the atom can become unstable and can release radiation in order to become more stable.

Calculation: Number of Neutrons

  • Number of Neutrons=Atomic MassAtomic Number\text{Number of Neutrons} = \text{Atomic Mass} - \text{Atomic Number}.

Isotopes of Carbon

  • Carbon-12 (98.9%98.9\%): 612C{}_{6}^{12}C. Neutrons =126=6= 12 - 6 = 6.
  • Carbon-13 (1.1%1.1\%): 613C{}_{6}^{13}C. Neutrons =136=7= 13 - 6 = 7.
  • Carbon-14 (0.0001%0.0001\%): 614C{}_{6}^{14}C. Neutrons =146=8= 14 - 6 = 8.

Atomic Models & History

John Dalton

  • All matter is made up of atoms.
  • All atoms of one element are identical (not correct because of isotopes).
  • Atoms of different elements are different to each other.
  • Atoms combine in whole number ratios to form compounds.
  • Atoms cannot be divided (not correct because atoms can be divided into subatomic particles).

J.J. Thomson: Plum Pudding Model

  • Showed that the atom was made up of a positive nucleus with negatively charged electrons spread throughout like plums in a pudding.
  • Discovered the Electron.

Rutherford Experiment

  • Method: Alpha particles (positively charged) were fired at a thin sheet of gold foil.
  • Observation: Majority of particles passed through, but a few were deflected back.
  • Conclusions:
    1. Majority of the atom is empty space.
    2. There is a positive central region containing most of the mass, named the nucleus. (Like charges repel).

Bohr Model

  • Electrons orbit the nucleus in fixed energy levels (shells).
  • Shell Energy: The closer the shell is to the nucleus, the lower its energy (radius is smaller). The further away, the higher its energy (radius is larger).
  • Movement: Electrons occupy one shell at a time and cannot exist between levels.
  • Excited State: If an electron gains energy (absorbs a photon), it jumps to a higher level.
  • Ground State: If an electron loses energy (releases a photon), it falls back to a lower level.
  • The energy of the photon is equal to the difference in energy between the two levels.

Mass Spectrometry

  1. Vaporization: Element is heated until it becomes a gas. (Often assumed pre-done).
  2. Ionisation: Vaporized element passes through an electron beam, losing electrons to form +1+1 ions (rarely +2+2).
  3. Acceleration: Ions are accelerated by an electric field toward a negative plate.
  4. Deflection: Ions pass through a magnetic field and deflect based on their mass to charge ratio (m/zm/z).
    • Heavier isotopes deflect less; lighter isotopes deflect more.
    • Only charged particles can be deflected.
  5. Detection: The detector measures the number of ions reaching it at each m/zm/z value to determine relative abundance and mass.

Relative Atomic and Isotopic Mass

  • Relative Atomic Mass (ArA_r): The weighted average mass of all isotopes of an element compared to 1/12th1/12th of the mass of a carbon-12 atom. Also called Atomic Weight.
  • Relative Isotopic Mass: The mass of an individual isotope compared to 1/12th1/12th of carbon-12.
  • Relative Abundance: The percentage abundance of an isotope.

Calculations

1. Finding ArA_r from Abundance Ar=(mass1×abundance1)+(mass2×abundance2)A_r = ( \text{mass}_1 \times \text{abundance}_1 ) + ( \text{mass}_2 \times \text{abundance}_2 )

  • Example Chlorine: (34.969×0.75)+(36.966×0.25)=35.5(34.969 \times 0.75) + (36.966 \times 0.25) = 35.5.

2. Finding Abundance from ArA_r Ar=(m1×p1)+(m2×(100p1))100A_r = \frac{(m_1 \times p_1) + (m_2 \times (100 - p_1))}{100}

  • Example Carbon: Ar=12.20A_r = 12.20, Isotopes Carbon-12 and Carbon-13.
    • 12.20=(12×p1)+(13×(100p1))10012.20 = \frac{(12 \times p_1) + (13 \times (100 - p_1))}{100}.
    • Result: P1=80P1=80, P2=20P2=20. Carbon-12 is 80%80\%, Carbon-13 is 20%20\%.

  • Atomic Radius: Distance from nucleus to valence electrons.
  • First Ionisation Energy: Energy required to remove one electron.
  • Electronegativity: Ability of an atom to attract shared electrons (Noble gases excluded).
TrendDown a Group (Decreased Attraction)Across a Period (Increased Attraction)
ReasoningIncreased shells and shieldingIncreased core charge (protons)
Atomic RadiusIncreasesDecreases
Ionisation EnergyDecreases (easier to remove)Increases (harder to remove)
ElectronegativityDecreasesIncreases

Metallic and Non-Metallic Character

  • Metallic Character: Ability to lose electrons to form a positive ion. Metals have low ionisation energy and low electronegativity.
  • Non-metallic Character: Ability to gain electrons to form a negative ion. Non-metals have high ionisation energy and high electronegativity.

Bonding

TypeStructureBonding Mechanism
Metallic3D lattice of positive ions in a “sea of delocalized electrons”.Attraction between positive metal ions and delocalized valence electrons.
Ionic3D rigid lattice of alternating positive and negative ions.Attraction between positive metal ions and negative non-metal ions.
Covalent MolecularMolecules with strong intramolecular and weak intermolecular bonds.Attraction between positive nuclei of non-metals and shared electrons.
Covalent NetworkGiant 3D continuous lattice of non-metal atoms.Continuous strong covalent bonds throughout the structure.

Physical Properties

  • Melting/Boiling Points:
    • High: Metallic, Ionic, Covalent Network (requires large energy to break strong bonds).
    • Low: Covalent Molecular (weak intermolecular bonds easily broken).
  • Electrical Conductivity: Requires free-moving charged particles (electrons or ions).
    • Metals: Conduct as solid/liquid due to delocalized electrons.
    • Ionic: Conduct only when molten or aqueous (ions are free); not as a solid.
    • Covalent: Usually non-conductive (except graphite).
  • Malleability/Ductility (Metals): Metal ions slide over each other without breaking the non-directional bond with the electron sea.
  • Brittleness:
    • Ionic: Force causes like-charges to align and repel, shattering the lattice.
    • Covalent: Directional bonds break and cannot easily reform.

Carbon Allotropes

Allotropes are different structural forms of the same element with different properties.

  • Diamond: Each Carbon bonded to four others (tetrahedral). Extremely hard; high MP/BP; non-conductive.
  • Graphite: Each Carbon bonded to three others in hexagonal layers. Conductive (one delocalized electron per C). Soft/slippery (layers held by weak forces).
  • Graphene: A single layer of graphite.
  • Fullerenes: Hollow cage structures (nanomaterials).
    • Buckyball (C60C_{60}): Soccer ball structure. Low MP/BP; poor conductor.
    • Carbon Nanotubes: Cylindrical. High tensile strength; high MP/BP; good conductor.

Nanomaterials

  • Scale: At least one dimension between 1100 nm1-100~nm. Larger materials are “bulk”.
  • Surface Area: Very large surface-area-to-volume ratio increases reaction rates (catalysts).
  • Properties: Can differ from bulk materials in colour, MP, and reactivity.
  • Safety: Small size allows absorption into cells, potentially causing respiratory issues.

Spectra and AAS

  • Absorption Spectrum: White light passes through a substance; electrons absorb specific photons and move to excited states. Displays as black lines on a continuous spectrum.
  • Emission Spectrum: Excited electrons release photons to return to ground state. Displays as coloured lines on a black background. Unique to each element.
  • Flame Test: Similar to emission; photons change the flame’s colour.
  • Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS): Used to find metal concentration in solution. Light from a hollow cathode lamp is absorbed by free metal atoms in a flame; more absorption = higher concentration.

Energy in Reactions

  • Exothermic: Releases energy (ΔH\Delta H is negative). Bonds forming > Bonds breaking. Temperature increases.
    • Examples: Combustion, Neutralisation.
  • Endothermic: Absorbs energy (ΔH\Delta H is positive). Bonds breaking > Bonds forming. Temperature decreases.
    • Examples: Photosynthesis, Ionisation.
  • Activation Energy (EaE_a): Minimum energy required for a reaction to start.
  • Enthalpy (HH): Total energy in a system (kinetic + potential).

Mixtures and Separation

  • Pure Substance: One type of particle (Element or Compound).
  • Mixture: Physically combined; components retain properties.
    • Homogeneous: Evenly distributed (e.g., aqueous solutions).
    • Heterogeneous: Not evenly distributed.

Techniques

  • Sieving/Filtration: Based on particle size.
  • Decantation/Separating Funnel: Based on density.
  • Evaporation/Distillation: Based on boiling points.
  • Fractional Distillation: Separates complex mixtures (like crude oil) using a column; lower BP condense higher up.

Organic Chemistry

  • Alkanes: Single bonds only (CnH2n+2C_nH_{2n+2}). Saturated.
  • Alkenes: At least one double bond (CnH2nC_nH_{2n}). Unsaturated.
  • Benzene: C6H6C_6H_6 ring with delocalized electrons.

Reactions

  • Addition (Alkenes): Double bond breaks to add new atoms. Orange bromine turns colourless.
  • Substitution (Alkanes/Benzene): One atom replaced by another. Requires UV light or catalysts.
  • Combustion: Complete (+O2CO2+H2O+ O_2 \to CO_2 + H_2O) or Incomplete (CO+H2O\to CO + H_2O).

Stoichiometry

  • Mole Formula: n=mMn = \frac{m}{M}.
  • Particles: N=n×6.022×1023N = n \times 6.022 \times 10^{23}.
  • Percent Composition: Molar Mass of elementMolar Mass of Compound×100\frac{\text{Molar Mass of element}}{\text{Molar Mass of Compound}} \times 100.
  • Percentage Purity: Mass(pure)Mass(impure)×100\frac{\text{Mass(pure)}}{\text{Mass(impure)}} \times 100.

Scientific Enquiry

  • Primary Data: Collected yourself.
  • Secondary Data: Collected by others (textbooks, etc.).
  • Variables: Independent (X-axis, what you change); Dependent (Y-axis, what you measure).
  • Reliability: Increased by more trials to detect outliers and reduce random error.

Successive Ionisation Energy

  • Increases as each electron is removed from an increasingly positive ion.
  • Significant jumps occur when removing from a new inner shell (closer to nucleus).

Species Data Example

SpeciesSymbolProtonsNeutronsConfiguration
V24Mg2+{}^{24}Mg^{2+}12122, 8
W1H{}^{1}H101
X33S2{}^{33}S^{2-}16172, 8, 8
Y40Ar{}^{40}Ar18222, 8, 8
Z31P{}^{31}P15162, 8, 5