Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry · Section 2
Inorganic Chemistry
Groups 1 and 7, gases in the atmosphere, the reactivity series, metals, acids, salts and chemical tests.
What this section covers
This section focuses on patterns and reactions in inorganic chemistry. Students revise groups in the periodic table, the atmosphere, metals, acids, salts and the tests used to identify substances.
- Compare reactions and trends in Group 1, Group 7 and gases in the air.
- Use the reactivity series to explain metal extraction and displacement.
- Describe acids, salt preparation and chemical tests for ions and gases.
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1
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Group 1: The Alkali Metals
Spec 2.1-2.4C
The properties, reactions and trends of the Group 1 alkali metals.
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2
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Group 7: The Halogens & Displacement
Spec 2.5-2.8C
The properties and trends of the Group 7 halogens, and displacement reactions.
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3
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Air Composition, Combustion in Oxygen and Carbonate Decomposition
Spec 2.9-2.12
Covers recall the main gases in dry air, Describe three elements burning in oxygen and Explain the thermal decomposition of copper carbonate.
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4
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Gases in the Atmosphere
Spec 2.9-2.13
The gases in the atmosphere, the combustion of elements, and carbon dioxide.
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5
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Percentage of Oxygen in Air
Spec 2.14
The experiment used to find the percentage of oxygen in air.
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6
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The Reactivity Series & Displacement
Spec 2.15-2.17
The reactivity series and how it predicts displacement reactions.
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7
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The Reactivity Series, Metal Oxides and Redox Agents
Spec 2.16-2.20
Covers recall the required reactivity sequence, Predict metal and metal-oxide displacement and Identify oxidising and reducing agents.
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8
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Rusting & Redox
Spec 2.18-2.20
How rusting happens, how to prevent it, and oxidation and reduction (redox).
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9
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Reactions of Metals with Acids
Spec 2.21
Covers apply the metal-acid rule to the correct acids, Test safely for hydrogen and Compare magnesium, zinc and iron using a fair method.
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10
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Extraction of Metals
Spec 2.22C-2.24C
How metals are extracted from their ores, linked to the reactivity series.
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11
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Low-Carbon, High-Carbon and Stainless Steel (Paper 2)
Spec 2.25C
Covers compare three steel types, Link composition to properties and Select a steel for a stated use.
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12
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Uses of Metals & Alloys
Spec 2.25C-2.27C
The uses of common metals and why alloys are often more useful than pure metals.
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13
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Indicators, Strong Acids and Strong Alkalis
Spec 2.28-2.29
Covers recall required indicator colours, Interpret universal-indicator pH and Distinguish strong and weak pH bands.
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14
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Acids, Alkalis, Indicators & the pH Scale
Spec 2.28-2.32
Acids and alkalis, indicators, and the pH scale.
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15
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Acid-Alkali Titrations
Spec 2.33C
How to carry out an acid-alkali titration accurately.
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16
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Solubility Rules of Ionic Compounds
Spec 2.34
The solubility rules for common ionic compounds in water.
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17
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Acids & Bases & Reactions of Acids
Spec 2.35-2.38
How acids react with bases, metals and carbonates to make salts.
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18
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Preparing Soluble Salts
Spec 2.39-2.42
How to prepare a soluble salt from an acid and an insoluble base.
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19
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Salt Preparation: Titration & Insoluble Salts
Spec 2.40C-2.43C
Making salts by titration and preparing insoluble salts by precipitation.
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20
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Preparing Pure, Dry Soluble and Insoluble Salts (Paper 2)
Spec 2.42-2.43C
Covers finish a soluble-salt preparation correctly, Prepare lead sulfate by precipitation and Explain washing and drying.
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21
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Tests for Gases & Flame Tests
Spec 2.44-2.46
The chemical tests for common gases and the flame tests for metal ions.
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22
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Tests for Ions and Water
Spec 2.47-2.50
Covers identify common cations using sodium hydroxide, Use the correct acid before sulfate and halide tests and Test for carbonate ions and water.
Frequently asked questions
What is the reactivity series?
A list of metals in order of how reactive they are. A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive one from its compound.
How do you prepare a soluble salt?
React an acid with an excess of an insoluble base, filter off the excess, then crystallise the salt from the solution.
What is the test for hydrogen gas?
Hydrogen gives a squeaky pop with a lit splint. Oxygen relights a glowing splint, and carbon dioxide turns limewater milky.
How do you test for metal ions?
Flame tests identify many metal ions by their flame colour, and precipitation tests with sodium hydroxide identify others.
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