Periodic table
- Define the periodic table as an arrangement of the elements in the order of increasing proton number
- Describe the relationship between position of element in the periodic table to its proton number and electronic structure
- Describe relationship between the Group number of and element with respect to its ionic charge
- Explain similarities in terms of valency between elements in the same Group of the periodic table.
- Describe the change from metal to non-metal elements from left to right across the period of the periodic table
Atomic structure
- Relative charges and relative masses of protons, electrons and neutrons
- Define the structure of an atom as a particle that contains protons and neutrons in the nucleus of the atom, with electrons around it arranged in valence shells
- Define proton and nucleon number
- Interpret symbols of elements with the proton and nucleon number
- Define the term “isotope” and understand the differences between isotopes of the same element
- Deduce the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom based on proton and nucleon numbers given by the question
chemical bonding and equation writing
- Describe ions as atoms losing/gaining electrons in order to obtain the electronic configuration of an inert gas eg. Argon
- Use the “dot and cross” diagram to show the formation of ionic bonds (note that this is no longer used in the Secondary 3 Syllabus)
- Describe physical properties of ionic compounds with relation to their lattice structures
- Describe covalent bonds as the sharing of a pair of electrons between two non-metals to obtain the electronic configuration of an inert gas
- Use “dot and cross” diagrams to show the formation of covalent bonds
- Deduce the arrangement of electrons in other covalent molecules
- Describe physical properties of covalent compounds with relation to their structure and bonding
- Construct and balance chemical equations
- Deduce formulae of simple and ionic compounds based on atoms/ions present and vice versa
Acids and bases
- Define acids and alkalis with relation to their ionic charges, dissociation and their effects on blue and red litmus paper
- Describe a test for hydrogen ion concentration and relative acidity using the pH scale of 1-14 and the universal indicator liquid/paper
- Describe the reactions of acids with carbonates, bases and metals and their products
- Describe the difference between strong and weak acids with reference to ionization
- Describe neutralization as a process in which hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions form water
- A salt being a product of an acid and a base
- Describe a salt being made up of a cation and an anion
- Describe the application of pH in soil and how calcium carbonate can be used to balance the soil pH
- State examples of acidic and basic substances found in everyday life
- List filtration and crystallization as purification techniques to obtain desired salts