CHEM1 resources

If you are hoping for some more sample questions for module 1, unfortunately you have seen the only two papers in existance since the syllabus changed 12 months ago. However, there is a specimen paper that you can have a go at which you can download following the links below.

CHEM1 specimen paper

CHEM1 specimen mark scheme

There are also a large number of older papers on the AQA website, but you will need to be careful when trying any papers on the old syllabus as some of the content has been moved to module 2 (chemistry of group 2 metals) and has been replaced by the organic content that you have studied instead.

old module 1 AQA past papers

CHEM4 resources

With CHEM4 just around the corner in January, you may need to download these mark schemes for the past papers you have been given in class in case you have missed any of the feedback. Remember to ignore any reference to Kp calculations (and partial pressures) in equilibria questions as they are no longer on your syllabus. Likewise, if you try any of the older papers you may see some titration curves involving two seperate equivalence points (for either sodium carbonate or ethanedioic acid). Again, ignore them, they are no longer on your syllabus.

Jan 08 mark scheme

Jan 09 mark scheme

If you still feel the need for a bit more practise from the older papers, you can find any other examples you may need on the AQA website.

other old module 4 papers

You should also have received a specimen paper for the new CHEM4 exam, the mark scheme is below.

CHEM4 specimen mark scheme

Finally, these have been posted elsewhere on this blog and some of you may have had them from me directly, but the following are essential resources for revision of organic reactions and mechanisms.

organic mechanisms

organic reaction scheme

explosion of the month 2

Always wear your safety goggles.
This technicolour clown got very lucky.
Judging by his reaction, I think he knows it as well.

explosion of the month 1

The 5th of November has just been and gone, but it gave me an idea for a new running feature on explosions. Let's call it Explosion of the Month.

This first one feature a man who puts anvils in orbit.



If anyone wants to find out a bit more about how he does it, follow the link below.

anvil shooting

mercury

Anyone for a pint of mercury?

This image shows a pool ball floating on liquid mercury. A pool ball is fairly heavy for its size, but you can see that it floats on, or is less dense, than the mercury. In fact, mercury is denser than lead, and metal objects like forks, coins, or even a cannonball will float on top (see video below).

Mercury, or quicksilver, can be a bit dodgy though. It can be absorbed through the skin and over time it accumulates in the system and causes heavy metal poisoning (as does, for instance, lead). Symptoms include dementia, vomiting, cramping, diarrhea and ultimately for prolonged exposure, death. One touch will not kill you, or necessarily even cause symptoms but, like all heavy metal poisoning, it accumulates in your system.

So it's probably not a good idea to sit in (or on) a bath of it. This picture was taken in 1972 and it's no wonder the poor guy can't raise a smile.

Finally, you've probably heard the term "mad as a hatter". This is thought to have originated from traditional hatmaker's use of mercury to cure the felt they used to make the hats, which caused dementia due to the prolonged exposure over the life of the milliner.

digestion animation

I've put a link on to this animation for my Year 8 class, as promised. You might like to have a look at it to help you with your next level assessed task on digestion. I'll take you books in on Thursday to mark this work. Make sure that you use your help sheet as well to help you reach the level you want.

digestion animation

molecule's stunning microscope image

A bit of news that you may have missed over the summer, researchers from IBM in Zurich claim to have imaged the detailed chemical structure of a single molecule for the first time, using a pretty advanced microscope.

The molecule they have been studying is called pentacene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon consisting of five linearly-fused benzene rings.


If you compare the previously known structure of the molecule (above) to the image seen under the microscope, the results are fairly spectacular. The new image clearly shows the bonds between the carbon atoms in the five linked rings, and even hints at the bonds to the hydrogen atoms around the edges of the carbon rings (these are usually omitted from the skeletal image above for simplicity).


The whole apparatus has to be extremely cold, at temperatures approaching absolute zero so as to avoid unwanted atom vibration, and the set up must be kept in a vacuum to eliminate stray molecules. You can read more about this by following the link below.

bbc news