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IB Chemistry›Chemistry SL
Revision Notes

IB Chemistry SL

Clear, student-friendly revision notes for IB Chemistry Standard Level — from the particle model and atomic structure through to reaction mechanisms and organic chemistry, each written with worked examples and exam pointers for Papers 1 and 2.

Chemistry SL · Revision Notes

Table of Contents

The full course is now live — all 126 notes across the eight topics. Click any topic to expand and view the notes inside.

1

Models of the Particulate Nature of Matter

The particle model, atomic structure, the mole and the behaviour of gases.

20 notes▾

Introduction to the Particulate Nature of Matter

4 notes▾
Elements, Compounds and Mixtures→ Separating Mixtures→ Changes of State→ Average Kinetic Energy→

The Nuclear Atom Model

3 notes▾
The Nuclear Atom Model→ Protons, Neutrons and Electrons→ Isotopes→

Electronic Configurations

4 notes▾
The Electromagnetic Spectrum→ Atomic Emission Spectra→ Energy Levels, Sublevels and Orbitals→ Writing Electron Configurations→

Counting Particles by Mass — The Mole

5 notes▾
The Mole→ Molar Mass→ Empirical Formulae→ Concentration of Solutions→ Avogadro’s Law→

The Behaviour of Ideal Gases

4 notes▾
Ideal Gases→ Molar Gas Volume→ The Ideal Gas Equation→ Real Gas Behaviour→
2

Models of Bonding & Structure

How ionic, covalent and metallic bonding shape the properties of materials.

21 notes▾

Ionic Bonding

3 notes▾
Forming Ions→ Binary Ionic Compounds→ Ionic Lattice Structures→

Covalent Bonding

11 notes▾
The Covalent Bond→ Lewis (Electron Dot) Formulas→ Double and Triple Bonds→ Coordinate (Dative) Bonds→ Molecular Shapes→ Bond Polarity→ Molecular Polarity→ Giant Covalent Structures→ Intermolecular Forces→ Properties of Covalent Substances→ Chromatography→

Metallic Bonding

2 notes▾
Metallic Properties and Uses→ s-Block and p-Block Elements→

From Bonding Models to Materials

5 notes▾
Comparing Bonding Models→ Bonding and Physical Properties→ Alloys and Their Properties→ Polymers→ Addition Polymerisation→
3

Classification of Matter

Organising the elements through the periodic table and organic compounds by functional group.

12 notes▾

Classifying the Elements: The Periodic Table

7 notes▾
Structure of the Periodic Table→ Electron Configuration and Periodicity→ Trends Across the Periodic Table→ Group 1 Metals Reacting with Water→ Group 17 Elements and Halide Ions→ Metallic and Non-Metallic Oxides→ Oxidation States→

Classifying Organic Compounds by Functional Group

5 notes▾
Formulas of Organic Compounds→ Functional Groups→ Homologous Series→ IUPAC Naming→ Structural Isomerism→
4

What Drives Chemical Reactions?

Enthalpy changes, energy cycles and the energy we get from fuels.

14 notes▾

Measuring Enthalpy Change

5 notes▾
The Difference Between Heat and Temperature→ Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions→ Energy Profile Diagrams→ Standard Enthalpy Changes→ Calorimetry→

Energy Cycles

3 notes▾
Bond Enthalpy Calculations→ Hess’s Law→ Applying Hess’s Law→

Energy from Fuels and Combustion

6 notes▾
Combustion Reactions→ Incomplete Combustion→ Carbon Dioxide from Burning Fuels→ CO2 Levels and the Greenhouse Effect→ Biofuels→ Fuel Cells→
5

How Much, How Fast & How Far?

Reacting quantities, the rate of reactions and the position of equilibrium.

18 notes▾

How Much? Quantifying Chemical Change

7 notes▾
Balancing Chemical Equations→ Reacting Masses→ Avogadro’s Law and Molar Gas Volume→ Calculating Concentration→ Limiting and Excess Reactants→ Percentage Yield→ Atom Economy→

How Fast? The Rate of Reaction

7 notes▾
The Rate of Reaction→ Measuring Reaction Rates→ Collision Theory→ Factors Affecting Reaction Rate→ Activation Energy→ Energy Profiles With and Without Catalysts→ Maxwell-Boltzmann Distributions→

How Far? The Position of Equilibrium

4 notes▾
Features of Dynamic Equilibrium→ The Equilibrium Law→ The Equilibrium Constant, Kc→ Le Chatelier’s Principle→
6

What Are the Mechanisms of Chemical Change?

Proton transfer, electron transfer and the reactions of organic compounds.

24 notes▾

Proton Transfer

8 notes▾
Bronsted-Lowry Acids and Bases→ Conjugate Acid-Base Pairs→ Amphiprotic Species→ The pH Scale→ The Ionic Product of Water→ Strong and Weak Acids→ Neutralisation Reactions→ pH Titration Curves→

Electron Transfer

10 notes▾
Oxidation and Reduction→ Writing Half-Equations→ Relative Ease of Redox→ Acids with Reactive Metals→ Primary Cells→ Secondary Cells→ Electrolytic Cells→ Oxidation of Alcohols→ Reducing Carboxylic Acids, Aldehydes and Ketones→ Reducing Unsaturated Compounds→

Electron Sharing

3 notes▾
Free Radicals→ Homolytic Fission→ Halogenation of Alkanes→

Electron Pair Sharing

3 notes▾
Nucleophilic Substitution→ Heterolytic Fission→ Electrophilic Addition→
7

Tools

The practical, technological and mathematical skills that underpin chemistry.

9 notes▾

Tool 1 — Experimental Techniques

3 notes▾
Safety, Ethical and Environmental Considerations→ Measuring Variables→ Applying Practical Techniques→

Tool 2 — Technology

2 notes▾
Using Technology to Collect Data→ Using Technology to Process Data→

Tool 3 — Mathematics

4 notes▾
Applying General Mathematics→ Units, Symbols and Numerical Values→ Working with Uncertainties→ Graphing Skills→
8

The Inquiry Process

Exploring, designing, collecting data and evaluating across a chemistry investigation.

8 notes▾

Inquiry 1 — Exploring and Designing

3 notes▾
Exploring→ Designing Investigations→ Controlling Variables→

Inquiry 2 — Collecting and Processing Data

3 notes▾
Collecting Data→ Processing Data→ Interpreting Results→

Inquiry 3 — Concluding and Evaluating

2 notes▾
Drawing Conclusions→ Evaluating→

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