Topic One (1.1): Transition From IGCSE

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

Chemistry is a very linear subject. Knowledge and skills gained at KS3/KS4 are assumed.  If you have them, keep your IGCSE textbooks to hand as they might be useful.  This section reviews skills such as balancing equations and summarises reactions you recall from IGCSE. You should also have registered your ActiveBook account, as outlined on pages 6 to 7 of your textbook.

Read Icon.png Reading

Edexcel AS/A Level Chemistry Student Book 1 pages 127 to 129, pages 154 to 159

Make Notes Icon.png Tasks

Complete the following:

  • Read pages 127 to 129. Work through the examples and make appropriate notes.
  • Read pages 154 to 159. Summarise your notes in the form of a mind-map. This section summaries the equations you should remember from IGCSE.
  • Write out all chemical tests onto your revision cards and learn

WATCH – Qualitative Analysis | Test for Cations (YouTube) Links to an external site.

WATCH – Qualitative Analysis | Test for Anions (YouTube) Links to an external site.

WATCH – Types of Chemical Reactions (YouTube) Links to an external site.

WATCH - Balanced Symbol & Ionic Equations | A Level Chemistry (YouTube) Links to an external site.

PRINT OFF & READ – Module One Transition Summary Sheets Download PRINT OFF & READ – Module One Transition Summary Sheets

COMPLETE – Worksheets 1 to 4 Download COMPLETE – Worksheets 1 to 4

  • Check your answers.

REVIEW – Answers to Worksheets 1 to 4 Download REVIEW – Answers to Worksheets 1 to 4

REVIEW – Exemplar Resources (Examples of Student Answers, Module One) Download REVIEW – Exemplar Resources (Examples of Student Answers, Module One) This will give you hints on answering questions.

COMPLETE – Base-line Assessment Download COMPLETE – Base-line Assessment

  • Use the mark scheme to correct your work.

REVIEW – Answers to Base-line Assessment Download REVIEW – Answers to Base-line Assessment

  • Is there any area of weakness? If there is, ask your tutor for help.
  • Print off a copy of the Student Checklist. Download Student Checklist. This key document summarises the course objectives for each unit. Keep it alongside your programme of study and refer to it at the end of each module.

Top Tip Icon.png Top Tips

Make sure that you understand the following key points:

  • Remember you never change formula when trying to balance equations. The large numbers (coefficients) representing moles are changed and fractions like ½ O2 are fine.
  • Always be precise with your language. If you mean H+ say hydrogen ion. If you mean H2 say hydrogen gas. 
  • When looking for spectator ions if an ion like SO42-(aq) is present both sides of an equation it is a spectator ion and can be left out of an ionic equation.
  • When writing precipitation reactions, the state symbols are vital.

Glossary Icon.png Key Terms

Add the following subject vocabulary with definitions to your glossary.

  • Coefficient
  • Spectator ion
  • Displacement reaction
  • Precipitation reaction

Consolidate Icon.png Consolidate

Extend your understanding by working through these additional resources/tasks:

  • Practise writing full and ionic equations for different reactions of acids.