Tips for Chemistry ATP (both IGCSE and O-level):

Some precautions:
=> Experiments involving poisonous gases like Nitrogen DIOXIDE, Ammonia and Bromine -> Carry out
the exp. in Fume Cupboard or in a well-Ventilated Room.
=> Experiments involving heat -> Use a polystyrene cup for insulation to prevent heat loss! + Always
take the same initial readings for better accuracy;
=> Experiments involving Acids, Liquids or Solids -> Always use the same concentration; Same
Volumes; Same Surface Area or Same Masses exceptions are some variables!
=> Experiment involving Crystallization -> Allow to cool SLOWLY and Use more water and more salt
for better results!
SOME COMMON and USEFUL precautions for all experiments (use these when your mind is BLANK)
=> Repetition of the exp.
=>Taking Average > Put your tie in shorts
=> Use Goggles
=> Taking measurements carefully and multiple measurements , to achieve accuracy ( by finding the
average )
=> When drawing the best fit line in a graph , do not include points that seem to be out of the curve ,use a
sharp and make the curve as smooth as possible , and remember to plot the independent Variable (
Temperature in a Time-of-reaction ( Y ) / Temperature ( X ) graph ) and NEVER forget to write the
labels.

Tests
1.For Water:
> By adding anhydrous Copper(II) Sulphate , which will turn from white to blue.
> By adding anhydrous Cobalt(II) chloride , which will turn from blue to pink.

2.For unsaturated hydrocarbon ( Alkenes )

>Liquid : By adding Bromine water to it and shaking. (it'l go from Brown to colorless)
>Gas : By passing the compound through Bromine water. (Color change = Brown to colorless)

3.For purity of substance

Solids => Test for melting point , if it is the correct value ( like the data says ) it is pure , if not, it is
impure. e.g. Ice at 0 C°
Liquids => Test for boiling point , if it is the correct value ( like the data says ) it is pure , if not, it is
impure. e.g. Water at 100 C°

COLLECTION TECHNIQUES:
=> upward delivery is for -> gases less dense than air (Hydrogen and Ammonia)
=> Downward delivery is for -> gases more dense than air (Carbon Dioxide
=> Displacement of water method -> insoluble gases ( Methane )

Fermentation:
=> Glucose and Yeast are used! (just remember that Yeast contains enzymes -> Biological Catalysts)
=> Suitable Temperature 37 degrees (Optimum for Enzyme)
=> Bung is used -> To Let Carbon Dioxide out, and prevent the entry of Oxygen.
=> Why is Oxygen's entry prevented (-> because it’ll oxidize the alcohol to Carboxylic Acid and also it'l
affect the anaerobic respiration)
=> Why does the reaction stop? -> Due to an excess in the conc. of alcohol, Yeast dies. Or Glucose
finishes up!

Chromatography:
=> Draw a baseline with a pencil (pencil being insoluble) about 1-2 cm above the end of the
chromatogram
=> Use a pipette to put a concentrated spot of dye on the paper
=> Dip it in a solvent (Water, if it's soluble in it otherwise an organic solvent e.g Ethanol)
=> the solvent level MUST be below the baseline
=> The solvent would start to rise up the paper producing a no. of spots (depending on the no. of dyes
present in the substance)
=> Spray a locating agent for colorless dyes like amino acids or simple sugars
=> Or identify with RF value (formula = (distance moved by the dye)/(distance moved by the solvent)

Oxidizing Agents!
=> KMn04 (V11) -> FROM PURPLE TO COLORLESS!
=> K2Cr2O7 (VI) -> From Orange to Green!

=> All metals are reducing agents! (Mention the Group I metals, when asked)
=> Dehydrating Agents: Sulfuring Acid
=> Drying agent: Calcium Oxide

Ethene test: Add bromine water and bromine water will go colorless with alkenes (ethene) and it will
remain orange for alkanes (ethane)

For precautions .. Tie your hair at the back. Wear gloves. Lab suit !

Universal Indicators:
Acid ( Red - Yellow) , Neutral ( Green) , Alkaline ( Blue - Violet)
Phenolphthalein: Alkaline ( Pink) For Strong ( Colorless) , Neutral ( Colorless) , Acid ( Orange)
Methyl Orange: Alkaline: ( Yellow) , Neutral ( Colorless) , Acid ( Red)
Bromothymol Blue: Acid (Yellow) , Neutral (Dark green) , Alkaline (Blue)

- Read each question carefully and underline/highlight important words/information.

- When describing color changes, read the question again, especially in the case of indicators, see that to
what is the indicator being added to and what is bringing the color change.
- When describing observations, especially reactions with water/solutions, use the words; dissolves,
vigorously reacts, color changes/fades, precipitate forms, the beaker heats up. Do not just give a
theoretical answer.
- Four tables: Solubility of Salts, Tests for Anions, Tests for Cations and Test for Gases should be at your
fingertips.
- Giving answers to reading questions, if there is a measuring cylinder, make sure you read off the flat
side of the meniscus.
- Some common reagents that you should know:

Acidified Potassium Manganate (VII) - Oxidizing agent, color change Purple to Colorless.
Acidified Potassium Dichromate (VI) - Oxidizing agent, color change Orange to Green.
Aqueous Potassium Iodide - Reducing agent, color change from colorless to Brown.
Sulphur Dioxide - Reducing agent, no color change.
Concentrated Sulfuric Acid - Drying agent for all gases except Ammonia.
Anhydrous Calcium Chloride - Drying agent for all gases except Ammonia.
Calcium Oxide - Drying agent for Ammonia and Neutral gases.
Ninhydrin - Locating agent for chromatography.
- When describing manufacturing errors, look carefully at the apparatus to find something odd (such as
burettes without taps!).
- Be able to describe apparatus, such as:

Condenser - used for liquifying vapor in distillation and returning unreacted vapor back to the solution.
Glass beads - used for cooling the gases in fractional distillation by absorbing heat from them.
Fractionating column - to separate the various liquids using their boiling point.
Safety bulb - found in pipettes to prevent liquid from entering mouth (when sucking).
-Do not round off values in titration (or mole) questions! If the value 0.00248 is coming, don't write
0.0025, it will bring about a greater error in the later parts.
-The following colors of compounds are good to be known.

Group 1, 2 metals are white/silvery white. Group 3 metals are shiny grey. Their compounds are white
and their solutions are colorless.
Zinc is a grey solid, its compounds are white.
Lead is a shiny bluish metal; Iron is a shiny blackish solid.
Iron (II) salts are green. Iron (III) salts are red-brown.
Chlorine is a green gas. Silver chloride and Lead chloride are white.
Bromine is a red-brown gas. Silver bromide and Lead bromide are cream colored.
Iodide is a black solid. Its vapors are purple. Silver iodide and lead iodide are yellow.
Copper is a pinkish solid. Copper (II) sulphate, Copper (II) hydroxide and Copper (II) nitrate are blue.
Copper (II) chloride and Copper (II) carbonate are green.
Nitrogen dioxide is a brown gas. Sulphur and Phosphorous are Yellow solids with different flames.
- Remember important points of electrolysis, ESPECIALLY selective discharge in concentrated/dilute
solutions. Remember that displacement and electrolysis are redox reactions.
- Remember important equations such as:

Group 1 Elements (Metals) + H2O ---> Metal OH + Hydrogen Gas

Acid + Metal ---> Salt + Hydrogen Gas (Copper, Silver, Gold DO NOT REACT)
Acid + Bases ---> Salt + Water
Acid + Carbonate ---> Salt + Water + Carbon Dioxide
Alkalis (Metal Hydroxide) + Ammonia Salts ---> Ammonia gas + Water + Salt
Acidic Oxide + Water ---> Acid
Neutral Oxide + Air ---> Acid
Basic Oxide + Acid ---> Salt + Water
Alkene + Steam ---> Alcohol
Glucose + Yeast ---> Ethanol + CO2
Acid + Alcohol ---> Ester + Water
Alcohol (when oxidized) ---> Organic Acids + Water
- In identifying ions, remember, if transition metal is present, a colored SOLUTION will be formed not a
colored COMPOUND.
- Also, when giving the test for Nitrate ions, don't forget the heat, it carries one mark.
- Use a sharp pencil and plot a clean, clear graph.
- For describing presence of gases (after reaction), use words, effervescence and bubbling.
- The heating is done in the fume cupboard to ensure that students are not exposed to the poisonous gas,
nitrogen dioxide. The toxicity of the gas is the point to mention. (from mark scheme).
- Remember, only potassium, sodium, calcium react with water to form hydroxides, all the metals below
(till copper) react with STEAM to form metal oxides.
- Also, remember that sodium and potassium compounds are very stable that do not break down on
heating (their hydroxides break down to oxides and hydrogen on heating though).