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A LEVEL

CHEMISTRY A
H432
For first teaching in 2015

Exam hints for students

Version 1.1 www.ocr.org.uk/science

A LEVEL CHEMISTRY A H432

Exam hints for students

General
2Fe2+ + H2O2 2Fe3+ + 2H2O
CaF2( ) CaF2(s) You may use a diagram in your answer.

2Fe2+ + H2O2 + 2H+ 2Fe3+ + 2H2O

........................................................................

Check equations for balancing errors after Make sure state symbols in equations are When a question provides space to draw a
writing them. Remember that any charges clear. Some wrote lower case ‘s’ similarly to diagram, providing one can help make your
should also be balanced. ‘g’, making it indistinguishable. answer clearer.

H H
H C C H
Your answer: A B CON

H H

Graphs and chemical structures should be If changing the answer for an MCQ, Longer answers don’t always lead to more
drawn in pencil – these will be picked up completely cross out the wrong letter and marks. If correct responses are contradicted,
when the exam paper is scanned. write the correct one anew. marks can be lost.

a. * See additional answer

-1008 -504 b.
Answer : .................................... c. page

Cross out answers if you need to change For MCQs, if you don’t know the answer try If use of additional answer pages are
them. Trying to correct an answer by eliminating options by annotating. necessary, it's a good idea to write a note to
writing over it can make it unclear. Don’t leave MCQ answers blank! the marker to this effect.

Determine the rate constant and a

possible two-step mechanism that
are consistent with these results.
Underline key instructions when reading
the question and refer back to them to
ensure all of them have been adressed.
Ca2CO3
CaNO3
Make sure you know how to write correct Additional answer pages fragment the
formulae and balance straightforward response. Concise responses are usually
equations. the best responses.

1. C2H65Cl C2H6Cl C2H5Cl

(iii) ?

Data may be presented at the start of
the question and not repeated in each
subsequent part.
Cross out incorrect formulae and replace
them afresh. Changed numbers can be
difficult to decipher and may not be
credited.

A Level Chemistry A 2 © OCR 2022

A LEVEL CHEMISTRY A H432

Maths
÷10000 Give your answer to two significant
percent ppm
0.34564524 figures.
25 cm3
Answer: ................
×10000 0.346
Converting between percentages and parts It’s always more accurate to round once, for Make sure you give answers to the number
per million (ppm) is a required skill for the the final answer, and work with unrounded of significant figures in the question after
Chemistry B specification. values on the calculator. performing calculations.

4.10 4.91 = 0.0522 mol

202 = 0.0203 mol 94
percentage yield = 38.89
............% ECF

Lines of best fit can be straight or curved. Lines of best fit should cover all points and Show clear working for calculations. Error
They don’t have to extend to the axes or have a fair distribution of points above and carried forward may mean a response still
origin if not appropriate. below the line. gains marks if a mistake is made.

Mass = 82.7 g
65000
Answer: ....................................
3 s.f.

y2 – y1
y2 – y1
Titre = 24.35 cm3
6.5 × 104
Answer: .................................... cc 2 – cc 1 cc 2 – cc 1

You need to be able to convert results The 'appropriate number of significant Triangles for gradient calculation should
between decimal form and standard form figures' is the lowest number of significant be as large as possible - too small a triangle
(e.g. a × 10n). figures provided in the data. gives a larger error in the value.

calculations Ea
ln k = – RT + ln A

Read the scales on graphs carefully and Candidates need more practice in relating
check any reading is correct before using it chemical equations to the equation for a
in subsequent calculations. straight line, y = mx + c.

A Level Chemistry A 3 © OCR 2022

A LEVEL CHEMISTRY A H432

Practicals

titre: 13.50 cm3 1.35 cm3 Make sure hair is tied back
precise imprecise
% error: 0.74% 7.4% Make sure bags are under desks

When carrying out a titration, be aware When a question asks for safety Remember that precision is the closeness
that a larger titre value will have a lower precautions, a response beyond normal of agreement between different results. It is
associated percentage error. safe lab practice is usually expected. not the same as accuracy.

water out
trial 1 2 3 condenser
water in
accurate inaccurate Initial reading (cm3) 0.00 22.65 0.00 20.35
pear-shaped flask
Final reading (cm3) 22.65 43.55 20.35 41.35 anti-bumping granules reagents
Titre (cm3) 22.65 20.90 20.35 21.00 heat

Titration readings must be to 2 decimal The overall standard of diagrams could be

Accuracy is a measure of how close a result
places, with the final digit a 5 or a 0. Only improved - they should be neatly drawn
is to the true value.
use concordant titres to calculate means. and clearly labelled.

Titration 1 2 3
tap or flick the tube to allow 22.45 + 22.45
Initial reading (cm3)
2 = 22.50
the solid to reach the bottom Final reading (cm3)
Titre (cm3)

When preparing a solid for melting point
analysis, note the need to tap the tube so
the solid reaches the bottom.
Communicate results clearly: show
It is good practice to show working for how
headings and units, and show numerical
a mean titre has been calculated.
values to the accuracy of apparatus used.

0.005 g 0.005 g × 2
1.74 1.74

When calculating percentage uncertainties

consider if a value is from a single reading
or from the difference between two
readings.

A Level Chemistry A 4 © OCR 2022

A LEVEL CHEMISTRY A H432

Specification points – Module 2

oxidation state = 2 potassium (vII) chlorate

oxidation state = +2 potassium chlorate(vIII) Cl Cl

When providing oxidation numbers for Most candidates need more practice at Draw large 'dots-and-cross' diagrams
elements, it is important to make sure the writing systematic names using oxidation so that dots and crosses can be clearly
sign is also included. numbers. distinguished.

4KClO3 KCl + 3KClO4 2– H H

OC O
δ+ δ+
= oxygen electron
O H O H
O
= carbon electron
Chlorine disproportionates = added electron
δ– δ+ δ– δ+

Emphasise disproportionation in terms of
an element rather than vague terms such
as ‘species’.
Make sure all electrons are accounted for in
Responses often omitted dipoles and lone
dot-and-cross diagrams. Added electrons
pairs when depicting hydrogen bonding.
should use a different symbol.

van der Waals’ forces intramolecular forces

induced dipole-dipole intermolecular forces
interactions

Note that uses of the term ‘van der Waals Avoid confusion between intermolecular
forces’ are not now acceptable and are bonds (between molecules) and
ignored. intramolecular bonds (within molecules).

A Level Chemistry A 5 © OCR 2022

A LEVEL CHEMISTRY A H432

Specification points – Module 3

oxidising power of halogen

The overall equation is shown bellow.
s block

d block
p block
F Cl Br I
reducing power of halide

The block of the periodic table that an Down the group, oxidising power of the Be aware that given enthalpy changes
element is in refers to the orbital in which halogens decreases but reducing power of relate to the molar quantities shown in the
its highest energy electron is found. the halide ions increases. equation provided.

The enthalpy change is bigger

Ea products Ea products
enthalpy
reactants ΔH enthalpy
reactants ΔH The enthalpy change is more exothermic
The enthalpy change is more negative
progress of reaction progress of reaction

Values for activation energy (Ea) are Arrows in enthalpy profile diagrams should When comparing the magnitude of
typically positive, so negative values can be be single headed to show the direction of negative values, ‘more negative’ or ‘less
ruled out as a possibility. the enthalpy change. negative’ should be used.

I2(s) 2I(g)
½I2(s) I(g)
Most candidates were unable to write a
correct equation for the standard enthalpy
change of atomisation of iodine.

A Level Chemistry A 6 © OCR 2022

A LEVEL CHEMISTRY A H432

Specification points – Module 4 (1)

molecular: C2H6 H H CH3 CH3 H3 C CH3 H H H H H

C C C C
structural: CH3CH3
display: H C C H
CH3 CH3 H3 C CH3
H C C C C C H
H H
H H H H
When asked to provide a formula, read the All structures should show correct When drawing organic compounds, make
question carefully and ensure you give the connectivity (the correct bonds to the sure that all the atoms have the correct
type of formula it asks for. correct atoms in the structure). number of bonds.

O
OH
carboxylic acid 2-methyl-butan-3-0l
alcohol
phenol
3-methyl-butan-2-0l

Unless a question asks for a particular type When naming the functional groups in a When naming organic compounds,
of formula to be drawn, skeletal formulae molecule, don’t just list various groups, as functional groups take priority for
are clearer and easier to draw. incorrect groups are marked first. numbering over alkyl chains.

H3C Br
Z isomer – – –
H
C C
CH3
OH OH OH
CIP rules for naming alkenes are based on Curly arrows start from a bond, charge, or
atomic numbers of substituents, not their lone pair. If they can’t be traced back to one
molecular or atomic masses. of these they’ll lose the mark.

A Level Chemistry A 7 © OCR 2022

A LEVEL CHEMISTRY A H432

Specification points – Module 4 (2)

H H H CH2 CH3 O O
C C 5
σ bonds: .......... C C C C H
H H H3 C H H3 C OOH H3 C O O

Draw displayed or structural formulae for

When totalling up sigma bonds in a Candidates should ensure that functional
cis/trans isomers. This helps when showing
molecule, remember double bonds are groups are clearly displayed when this is
the arrangement of groups around the C=C
made up of a sigma bond and a pi bond. specified.
group.

2 4 6 8
H
H H H H H
H H
H
1 3 5 7 H H H H H aromatic acyclic

Check organic formulae, as mistakes are To work out organic formulae adding An alicylic molecule is one with a carbon
easily made. Check the number of C atoms in H atoms to skeletal formulae is a good ring with single or double bonds which is
skeletal formulae. strategy. not aromatic.

A Level Chemistry A 8 © OCR 2022

A LEVEL CHEMISTRY A H432

Specification points – Module 5

p(CO)4 Kp =
[NH3]2
Kp =
p( NH3 )2 ΔH = +267 kJ mol–1
Kp = [N2]2 × [H2]3 p( N2 )2 × p( H2 )3 ΔS = +596 J K–1 mol–1
p(C)4 p(Fe3O4)4
E° = –3.04 V
Candidates should include only gaseous Make sure either positive or negative signs
Square brackets indicate a concentration
and aqueous species in the expression for a are shown for enthalpy values, entropy
and shouldn’t be used in K p expressions.
heterogenous equilibrium. values, and electrode potentials.

6 moles of gas 7 moles of gas 0.281

E = ........................ V
C3H8(g) + 5O2(g) 3CO2(g) + 4H2O(g) + 0.281 V
E = ........................

Reactions with more moles of gas in the When giving E values for electrochemical Learn reactions and reagents in the
products than the reactants will have a cells ensure that you put a + or – in front of transition elements section of the
positive entropy change. the value given as appropriate. specification.

A Level Chemistry A 9 © OCR 2022

A LEVEL CHEMISTRY A H432

Specification points – Module 6

O H H O H H H H
CH3CH2CH2CH2CH H C
H H
C OH + [O] H C
H
C
O
+ H2O
C C C C N C C N
H H H H CH3CH2CH2CH2CH+ H H H H

When asked to ‘draw a section’ of a protein Make sure that the positive charges on ions Describing a synthesis with equations along
or polymer, the end bonds of the structure produced during mass spectrometry are with words where possible is a good strategy
should be left open. shown clearly. to avoid writing lots of text.

O 2 H H3 H 2 O
1 C C C4 C C 1
HO H OH H OH

When analysing spectra organise answers

When analysing 1H NMR spectra, using
by discussing each spectrum in turn.
a diagram to identify the different H
Analysis is made easier if candidates label
environments is good practice.
the spectrum.

A Level Chemistry A 10 © OCR 2022

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