Chemistry Notes

Chapter 1

Chapter 1.1 – solids liquids and gasses

• Changes from solid – liquid and visa versa are called changes of state!
• Melting : solid - liquid
• Evaporation/vaporization: Liquid - gas
• Solidification: Liquid - solid
• Condensation: gas - liquid
• Sublimation: solid – gas

• Solid – definite shape and volume

• Liquid – definite volume, shape of container
• Gas – volume and shape of container

After classifying these substances + identifying their properties. We then find an

explanation for these properties called the Particle nature of matter .

Chapter 1.2 – particle nature of matter

• SOLIDS: particles packed tightly, particles are vibrating slightly, hard
• LIQUIDS: particles move around more freely, posses more motion (KINETIC
ENGERY) – the forces between the neighboring solids are comparatively weaker
than in solids. Don’t have def. shaped take on shape of container. Random translation
and vibration in particles.
• GASSES: Particles in rapid motion, no significant forces between them, particles
have rapid translational movement, spread out quickly to fill whole container.

Solids and Liquids can’t be compressed much as their particles are already close together.
Gasses have lots of space between particles meaning they can be compressed quite easily.

Chapter 1.3 – mixtures and pure substances

• HOMOGENOUS: composed of parts or elements that are all of the same kind
• HETEROGENIUS: Consisting of dissimilar elements or parts
• Impure Substance: a substance contaminated with small amounts of other elements
Differences between a mixture and a pure substance
Mixture Pure substance
Can be separated into 2 or more substances Can’t be separated into 2 or more
by physical means substances be physical means
May be homogenous or heterogeneous Is homogenous
Displays the properties of the pure Characteristics such as:
substance making it up ( diff. parts of mis Appearance
display diff. properties) Colour
Density
Melting & boiling points
All Properties are consistent throughout the
whole sample
Properties that can change as the relative Properties don’t change regardless of how
amounts of substances present are changed it’s prepared or purified
Has a variable composition ( amounts of Has a fixed composition
each substance can be varied)
Examples: Examples:
Sea water, air, coffee, milk, petrol, brass, Table salt, sugar, aluminum, copper,
diamond, gold, alcohol

Chapter 1.4 elements and compounds

• Some pure substances can be broken into simpler substances while others cannot.
Those that cannot be broken down are called elements, those that can are called
compounds.

• Element: a pure substances which cannot be decomposed into simpler substances E.g
carbon, aluminum, nitrogen, copper and mercury

• Compound: a pure substance which can be decomposed into simpler substances for
example elements. E.g. table salt, sugar, ammonia, sodium carbonate or consist of
two or more types of atoms which are chemically combined in a fixed ratio. Can be
decomposed into simpler substances

• A Compound:

• Is made up of 2 or more elements

• Always has the element present in the same ratio or mass

• Has properties different to the elements that make it up

Chapter 1.5 Element s and Molecules

• An ATOM is the smallest particle of an element.

• All atoms of an element are identical - (except for isotopes).
• Molecules - smallest part of an element or compound capable of existing by
itself.

Chapter 1.6 symbols for element

• Used as a form of chemical shorthand

Chapter 1.7 – FORMULAE

• Symbols are used for elements. Compounds are made up of elements, so it is natural
that the combinations of symbols should be used to denote compounds.
• Such combinations of symbols are called formulae

• A SYMBOL is the shorthand representation of 1 atom of an element.

•
• A FORMULA is a combination of symbols to represent an element or compound
•
• A FORMULA shows the elements present and the ratio of combination.

Some common formulae and their meaning

Name of compound formula One molecule of the
compound contains
Ammonia NH3 3 atoms of hydrogen and 1
atom of nitrogen

Sulfuric acid H2 SO4 2 atoms of hydrogen, 1

atom of sulfur and 4 atoms
of oxygen

Boric acid B(OH)3 1 atom of boron, 3 atoms of

oxygen and 3 atoms of
hydrogen
 Hydrogen H Sulphur S Helium He Lithium Li
Bromine Br Chlorine ClAluminium Boron B
Al
Carbon C Potassium K Silicon Nitrogen N
Si
Oxygen O Calcium CaGold
Au
Fluorine F Iron Fe Silver
Ag
Magnesium Mg Copper Lead
Cu Pb
Sodium Na Zinc Tin
Zn Sn
Phosphorus P Iodine I Manganese Mn
Symbols to learn

Chapter 1.8 – Molecules of Elements

• Oxygen is an element it’s symbol is O

• O gas is not present as separate independent forms, it exists in pairs of atoms that are
geminately stuck together to form molecules
• It is a diatomic molecule
• This is true for all gaseous elements except the noble gasses; the smallest particle able
to exist on it’s own for long periods of time is a molecule containing 2 atoms.
• The noble gasses exist as independent atoms.

Chapter 1.9 – Separating mixtures

• Filtration – liquid/solution passes through the paper while suspended solid

remains on the top of the filter paper. The liquid/solution that passes through the
filter paper is called a filtrate. Sand can be separated from sea water this way –
solids and liquids
• Sieving – using gauze held in a metal or plastic frame to separate out lumps from
a powdery substance such as flour. –used to separate solids of diff. sizes
• Sedimentation – used if solid is very thick or dense. Process where denser solids
settle to the bottom of a container. Decanting is the process of pouring off the
liquid and leaving the solid undisturbed at the bottom of the container. Pouring tea
off off tea leaves is decantation. – separating solids and liquids

• Vaporization – boil solution or evaporate it. Evaporating to dryness just leaves

you with a solid
• Distillation – the method of separating 2 or more liquids from one other or of
separating the liquid from the solids in a solution; this latter process is though of
as purification of the liquid. The process in which a solution or mixture of liquids
is boiled with the vapor formed being condensed back to a liquid in a different
part of the apparatus and so separated from the mixture. – separating liquids
• Fractional distillation – used when boiling points are close together. Must allow
for repeated condensations and vaporizations up the column, giving many
distillations. Repeated 10 – 100 times eventually left with pure substance. Used in
separation of crude oil, ethanol from molasses and production of liquid nitrogen
and argon gas from liquefied air.