Topic 1: Key concepts in chemistry – GCSE Edexcel Higher Chemistry revision notes

What this topic covers

Topic 1: Key concepts in chemistry has 6 subtopics:

• A simple model of the atom, symbols, relative atomic mass, electronic charge and isotopes
• Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic
• Chemical measurements, conservation of mass and the quantitative interpretation of chemical equations
• How bonding and structure are related to the properties of substances
• The periodic table
• Structure and bonding of carbon

Topic 1: Key concepts in chemistry lessons by subtopic

57 lessons, grouped by subtopic.

A simple model of the atom, symbols, relative atomic mass, electronic charge and isotopes

• Elements, Atoms and Symbols
• Compounds and Chemical Formulae
• Chemical Equations and Reactions
• What are mixtures and their properties
• Separation techniques for mixtures
• Choosing the right separation method
• Early atomic models: from spheres to plum pudding
• The nuclear model: Rutherford's breakthrough
• Refining the atom: Bohr, protons and neutrons
• Electrical Charges in Atoms
• The Size and Scale of Atoms
• Mass Distribution and Atomic Particles
• Isotopes and Atomic Notation
• Understanding Relative Atomic Mass
• Electronic Structure and Energy Levels

Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic

• Understanding the Three Types of Chemical Bonds
• Where Different Types of Bonding Occur
• How ionic bonds form through electron transfer
• Drawing dot and cross diagrams for ionic compounds
• Understanding Ionic Structure and Bonding
• Representing Ionic Structures and Finding Empirical Formulas
• Understanding covalent bonds and drawing molecules
• Types of covalent structures and their representations
• Working with molecular diagrams and formulas
• The Structure of Metals

Chemical measurements, conservation of mass and the quantitative interpretation of chemical equations

• The Law of Conservation of Mass
• Balancing Chemical Equations
• Calculating Relative Formula Mass
• Percentage by Mass in Compounds
• Explaining Mass Changes in Open Systems
• Understanding Uncertainty in Chemical Measurements
• Writing word and symbol equations accurately
• Balanced ionic equations and state symbols
• Hazard symbols and practical risk assessment

How bonding and structure are related to the properties of substances

• States of Matter and Particle Theory
• Energy Changes and Forces Between Particles
• State Symbols in Chemical Equations
• Giant Ionic Lattice Structures
• Physical Properties of Ionic Compounds
• Electrical Conductivity of Ionic Compounds
• Physical Properties of Small Molecules
• How Molecule Size Affects Properties and Electrical Conductivity
• Structure and Properties of Polymers
• Giant Covalent Structures and Their Properties
• Giant Metallic Structure and Bonding
• Layered Structures and Alloys
• Why Metals Conduct Electricity and Heat

The periodic table

• Understanding the Periodic Table Structure
• Groups and Chemical Properties
• Early attempts to classify elements
• Mendeleev's breakthrough and modern understanding
• Physical and Chemical Properties of Metals and Non-metals
• Ion Formation and Electron Arrangement

Structure and bonding of carbon

• The Structure and Properties of Diamond
• Structure and Properties of Graphite
• Discovering Graphene and Fullerenes
• Fullerenes and Carbon Nanotubes

More in this course

Go back to the full GCSE Edexcel Higher Chemistry topic list, or practise this topic with past-paper questions.