UNIT 1

MODULE 3: CHEMISTRY OF THE ELEMENTS

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

On completion of this Module, students should:

1. use fundamental concepts to rationalise the physical and chemical properties of elements
and their compounds;

2. appreciate that the properties of elements are related to their compounds and their uses;
and,

3. understand the principles underlying the identification of anions and cations.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES EXPLANATORY NOTES SUGGESTED PRACTICAL

ACTIVITIES

1. Period 3: Sodium to Argon

Students should be able to:

1.1. explain the variations in Include reference to melting

physical properties of the point and electrical
elements in terms of conductivity. Atomic and
structure and bonding; ionic radii, electronegativity
and density. Refer to Module
1, Specific Objective 1.11.

1.2. describe the reactions of No treatment of peroxides

the elements with oxygen, or superoxides required.
chlorine and water;

1.3. explain the variation in

oxidation number of the
oxides and chlorides;

1.4. describe the reactions of Include equations. Conduct experiments to

the oxides and chlorides investigate the reactions
with water; of the oxides and
chlorides with water;
include relevant
equations.

1.5. explain the trend in the Include equations. Conduct experiments to

acid/base behaviour of the investigate the acid/base
oxides and hydroxides; behavior of the oxides and
hydroxides; include
relevant equations.

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UNIT 1
MODULE 3: CHEMISTRY OF THE ELEMENTS

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES EXPLANATORY NOTES SUGGESTED PRACTICAL

ACTIVITIES

Students should be able to:

1.6. predict the types of Refer to differences in

chemical bonding present electronegativities and ionic
in the chlorides and oxides; radii of the elements.
and,

1.7. discuss the uses of some of Limited to the use of

the compounds of aluminium hydroxide in
aluminium and antacid medication, white
phosphorous. phosphorous used in flares
and military applications,
red phosphorous used at
the side of match boxes and
argon used in fluorescent
and incandescent lighting.

2. Group II Elements

Students should be able to:

2.1. explain the variations in Include reference to atomic

properties of the elements and ionic radii and
in terms of structure and ionisation energies.
bonding;

2.2. describe the reactions of Include equations.

the elements with oxygen,
water, and dilute acids;

2.3. explain the variation in the Qualitative treatment only

solubility of the sulfates; is required. Simple
explanations in terms of
lattice and hydration
energies.

2.4. explain the variation in the Include equations.

thermal decomposition of
the carbonates and
nitrates; and,

2.5. discuss the uses of some of Limited to the use of

the compounds of magnesium oxide, calcium
magnesium and calcium. oxide, calcium hydroxide
and calcium carbonate.

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UNIT 1

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES EXPLANATORY NOTES SUGGESTED PRACTICAL

ACTIVITIES
3. Group IV Elements

Students should be able to:

3.1. explain the variations in Include reference to

physical properties of the variations in metallic
elements in terms of character and electrical
structure and bonding; conductivity.

3.2. describe the bonding of

the tetrachlorides;

3.3. explain the reactions of the Include equations.

tetrachlorides with water;

3.4. discuss the trends in: Make reference to E

values of the elements.
(a) bonding;

(b) acid/base character; Include equations.

and,

(c) thermal stability of

the oxides of
oxidation states II
and IV;

3.5. discuss the relative Make reference to E

stabilities of the oxides and values of the elements.
aqueous cations of the
elements in their higher
and lower oxidation states;
and,

3.6. discuss the uses of Include its use as abrasives,

ceramics based on silicon furnace lining, glass and
(IV) oxide. porcelain. Relate use to
properties.

4. Group VII Elements

Students should be able to:

4.1. explain the variations in Volatility, density, colour,

physical properties of the and state. (An explanation
elements in terms of of colour is not required).
structure and bonding;

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UNIT 1

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES EXPLANATORY NOTES SUGGESTED PRACTICAL

ACTIVITIES
Group V

Students should be able to:

4.2. explain the relative Include reactions with Use solutions of the
reactivities of the elements sodium thiosulfate and refer elements with bleach,
as oxidising agents; to E values. bromine water, and iodine
solution.

4.3. describe the reactions of Include equations.

the elements with
hydrogen;

4.4. explain the relative Include bond energies in

thermal stabilities of the explanations.
hydrides;

4.5. describe the reactions of Perform experiments of

the halide ions with: halide ions with aqueous
AgNO3 followed by aqueous
(a) aqueous solution of ammonia.
AgNO3 followed by
aqueous ammonia;
and,

(b) concentrated sulfuric

acid; and,

4.6. describe the reactions of Include changes in oxidation

chlorine with cold and hot number and the process of
aqueous solution of disproportionation.
sodium hydroxide. Refer to Module 1, Specific
Objective 4.1.

5. First Row Transition Elements

Students should be able to:

5.1. define the term transition D-block elements forming

element; one or more stable ions with
incomplete d-orbitals.

5.2. describe the Include variation in

characteristics of oxidation number, complex
transition elements; formation, coloured
compounds, catalytic
activity, magnetic
properties.

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UNIT 1
MODULE

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES EXPLANATORY NOTES SUGGESTED PRACTICAL

ACTIVITIES

Students should be able to:

5.3. discuss qualitatively the Melting point, density,

properties of transition atomic radius, ionic radius,
elements when compared first ionisation energy, and
to those of calcium as a conductivity.
typical s-block element;

5.4. determine the electronic Mention changes in

configuration of the first oxidation number.
row transition elements
and of their ions;

5.5. explain the relatively small

changes in atomic radii,
ionic radii, and ionisation
energies of the elements
across the period;

5.6. explain the formation of d-orbital separation

coloured ions by transition of energy in octahedral
elements; complexes.

5.7. describe the variation in Refer to E values. Perform experiments to

oxidation states of include the use of an
vanadium; acidified solution of
ammonium vanadate (V)
and granulated zinc.

5.8. predict the shapes of Octahedral, tetrahedral and

complexes of transition square planar.
elements;

5.9. discuss the use of: Refer to Module 1, Specific

Fe3+ (aq)/Fe2+ (aq), Objective 4.4.
MnO4(aq)/Mn2+ (aq), and
Cr2O72-(aq)/Cr3+(aq) as redox
systems; and,

5.10. explain the principle of Stability constants and the Perform experiments to
ligand exchange. CO/O2 haemoglobin and demonstrate ligand
NH3(aq)/Cu2+(aq) systems. exchange. Include
reactions involving Co 2+ (aq),
Cu 2+(aq).

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UNIT 1

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES EXPLANATORY NOTES SUGGESTED PRACTICAL

ACTIVITIES

6. Identification of Cations and Anions

Students should be able to:

6.1. identify cations: K+, Na+, Refer to atomic emission Perform flame tests on
Ca2+, Ba2+, Cu2+ by their spectra, see Module 1, identified cations.
flame tests; Specific Objective 1.7.

6.2. identify cations Mg2+(aq), Include the reactions with Perform experiments of the
Al3+(aq), Ca2+(aq), Cr3+(aq), OH-(aq), CO2-3(aq) and NH3(aq) identified cations with
Mn2+(aq), Fe2+(aq), Fe3+(aq), and confirmatory tests. hydroxide and aqueous
Cu2+(aq), Zn2+(aq), Ba2+(aq), ammonia.
Pb2+(aq), NH4+(aq);
Where possible perform
confirmatory tests of the
identified cations.
6.3. explain the principles upon Refer to equilibrium
which the reactions in concepts. Module 2,
Specific Objective 6.2 are Specific Objective 5.2.
based;
Basic, amphoteric oxide
and complexation.

6.4. write ionic equations for Include state symbols.

the reactions in Specific
Objective 6.2;

6.5. identify anions: Include the reactions with Perform experiments to

CO32-, NO3- , SO42-, SO32-(aq), HCl(aq), conc H2SO4, Pb2+(aq), identify the anions CO32-,
Cl-, Br-, l-, CrO4-; and, Ag+(aq), followed by NH3(aq), NO3- , SO42-, SO32-(aq), Cl-, Br-,
Ca(OH)2(aq), Ba2+(aq), l-, CrO4-. Where applicable
followed by dilute acid. perform confirmatory tests
For NO3- use copper for gases.
turnings and conc. H2SO4 or
add aluminium (powder) or
zinc (powder) in the
alkaline solution and
confirmatory tests for
gases where applicable.

6.6. write ionic equations for Include state symbols.

the reactions in Specific
Objective 6.5.

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UNIT 1

Suggested Teaching and Learning Activities

students in the teaching and learning activities listed below.

1. Review fundamental factors which influence the properties of elements and their compounds,
for example, ionisation energy, electronegativity, type of bonding.

2. Allow students to use charts and tables when establishing trends and differences in properties
of elements and compounds.

3. Allow students to use computer software in simulations to demonstrate the chemistry of the
elements and their compounds.

4. Link theory with appropriate laboratory work and real-life applications such as manufacturing,
and agriculture.

RESOURCES

Teachers and students may find reference to the following resource materials useful. The latest
editions are recommended.

Cann, P. and Hughes, P. Chemistry, International AS and A Level. London:

Hodder Education, 2015.

Conoley, C. and Hills, P. Chemistry, 3rd Edition. London: HarperCollins, 2008.

Maylin-Moseley, V. Advanced Level Chemistry for Life - Unit 1. Barbados:

VHM Publishing, 2017.

Norris, R., Barrett, L., Maynard-Alleyne, A. CAPE® Chemistry Study Guide: Cheltenham: Nelson
and Murray, J. Thorne Limited, 2012.

Ramsden, E. A-Level Chemistry. Cheltenham: Nelson Thorne

Limited, 2000.

WEBSITES

www.Chemsoc.org

www.Chemguide.co.uk

www.creative-chemistry.org.uk

www.a-levelchemistry.co.uk

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