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IB Chemistry›Chemistry SL
Revision Notes

IB Chemistry SL

Clear, student-friendly revision notes for IB Chemistry Standard Level — from atomic structure all the way to reaction mechanisms, each with worked examples and exam pointers for Papers 1 and 2.

Chemistry SL · Revision Notes

Table of Contents

Click any topic to expand and view all the notes inside.

1

Atoms, Elements & the Mole

Inside the atom — structure, electron arrangement, the mole concept and gas behaviour.

20 notes▾

Particles & States of Matter

4▾
Elements, Compounds & Mixtures→ Separating Mixtures→ Changing State→ Average Kinetic Energy→

Atomic Structure

3▾
The Nuclear Atom Model→ Subatomic Particles→ Isotopes→

Electron Arrangement

4▾
The EM Spectrum→ Emission Spectra→ Energy Levels & Orbitals→ Writing Electron Configurations→

The Mole & Counting Particles

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

Gas Behaviour

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

Chemical Bonding & Structure

How atoms join — ionic, covalent and metallic bonds, and the materials they build.

21 notes▾

Ionic Bonding

3▾
Forming Ions→ Binary Ionic Compounds→ Ionic Lattices→

Covalent Bonding

11▾
Covalent Bonds→ Lewis Structures→ Double & Triple Bonds→ Dative (Coordinate) Bonds→ Molecular Shapes→ Bond Polarity→ Molecular Polarity→ Giant Covalent Structures→ Intermolecular Forces→ Properties of Covalent Substances→ Chromatography→

Metallic Bonding

2▾
Properties & Uses of Metals→ s- & p-Block Elements→

Bonding & Materials

5▾
Bonding Models→ Bonding & Properties→ Alloys→ Polymers→ Addition Polymers→
3

Classifying the Elements & Compounds

Organising the elements on the periodic table and grouping organic molecules.

12 notes▾

The Periodic Table

7▾
The Periodic Table→ Configurations & the Periodic Table→ Periodic Trends→ Group 1 Reactions with Water→ Group 17 & Halide Displacement→ Metal & Non-Metal Oxides→ Oxidation States→

Organic Compounds & Functional Groups

5▾
Representing Organic Formulae→ Functional Groups→ Homologous Series→ IUPAC Naming→ Structural Isomers→
4

Energetics & Thermochemistry

The energy behind reactions — enthalpy, energy cycles and fuels.

14 notes▾

Measuring Enthalpy

5▾
Heat vs Temperature→ Exothermic & Endothermic Reactions→ Energy Profiles→ Standard Enthalpy Changes→ Calorimetry→

Energy Cycles

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

Fuels & Combustion

6▾
Combustion Reactions→ Incomplete Combustion→ CO₂ Produced by Burning Fuels→ CO₂ & the Greenhouse Effect→ Biofuels→ Fuel Cells→
5

Stoichiometry, Rates & Equilibrium

Reacting amounts, how fast reactions go and where they settle.

17 notes▾

Stoichiometry & Amounts

6▾
Reacting Mass Calculations→ Avogadro’s Law & Gas Volumes→ Concentration Calculations→ Limiting & Excess Reactants→ Percentage Yield→ Atom Economy→

Reaction Rates

7▾
Rate of Reaction→ Measuring Reaction Rates→ Collision Theory→ Factors Affecting Rate→ Activation Energy→ Catalysts & Energy Profiles→ Maxwell-Boltzmann Distributions→

Chemical Equilibrium

4▾
Dynamic Equilibrium→ The Equilibrium Law→ The Equilibrium Constant (Kc)→ Le Chatelier’s Principle→
6

Reaction Mechanisms & Acids/Redox

How bonds break and form — acids, redox and organic reaction pathways.

24 notes▾

Acids & Bases

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

Redox & Electrochemistry

10▾
Oxidation & Reduction→ Half Equations→ Reactivity & Redox Ease→ Acids with Reactive Metals→ Primary Cells→ Secondary Cells→ Electrolytic Cells→ Oxidising Alcohols→ Reducing Carbonyls & Acids→ Reducing Unsaturated Compounds→

Radical Reactions

3▾
Radicals→ Homolytic Fission→ Halogenation of Alkanes→

Nucleophilic & Electrophilic Reactions

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

Practical Skills Toolkit

The hands-on methods, tech and maths every chemistry experiment relies on.

9 notes▾

Skill Set 1: Experimental Technique

3▾
Safety, Ethics & the Environment→ Measuring Variables→ Applying Lab Techniques→

Skill Set 2: Using Technology

2▾
Using Tech to Collect Data→ Using Tech to Process Data→

Skill Set 3: Maths for Chemistry

4▾
Maths Skills for Chemistry→ Units, Symbols & Values→ Handling Uncertainties→ Graphing Skills→
8

The Scientific Inquiry Cycle

Working like a scientist, from first question to final evaluation.

8 notes▾

Stage 1: Explore & Design

3▾
Exploring a Problem→ Designing an Investigation→ Controlling Variables→

Stage 2: Collect & Process Data

3▾
Collecting Data→ Processing Data→ Interpreting Results→

Stage 3: Conclude & Evaluate

2▾
Drawing Conclusions→ Evaluating the Method→

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