Bonding and Structure | Edexcel A-Level Chemistry (9CH0)
Bonding and Structure
- 69 questions
- 4 subtopics
- Topics 2, 3 and 5, examined on all three papers
- Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3
Covers the three types of strong bonding, the shapes electron pair repulsion produces, electronegativity and the intermolecular forces that follow from it, and how the four structure types explain physical properties..
It covers ionic bonding, covalent bonding, dative bonding and the shapes of molecules, electronegativity, polarity and intermolecular forces and structure and properties.
Sample questions from Bonding and Structure
Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.
-
Ionic bonding
How are cations formed?
Show the answer
By an atom losing one or more electrons. -
Ionic bonding
What is an isoelectronic series?
Show the answer
A set of ions (or atoms) that all have the same number of electrons and the same electron configuration. -
Covalent bonding, dative bonding and the shapes of molecules
Which is stronger and shorter, a C-C single bond or a C=C double bond?
Show the answer
The C=C double bond is shorter and stronger. -
Covalent bonding, dative bonding and the shapes of molecules
State the shape and bond angle for four bonding pairs and no lone pairs (e.g. CH₄, NH₄⁺).
Show the answer
Tetrahedral, 109.5 degrees. -
Electronegativity, polarity and intermolecular forces
What increases the strength of London forces?
Show the answer
A greater number of electrons in the molecule (and more surface contact between molecules). -
Electronegativity, polarity and intermolecular forces
Why do simple alcohols dissolve in water?
Show the answer
They form hydrogen bonds with the water molecules. -
Structure and properties
What is graphene?
Show the answer
A single layer of graphite: one layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal sheet. -
Structure and properties
Why do simple molecular substances have low melting temperatures?
Show the answer
Only weak intermolecular forces between molecules need to be overcome; the strong covalent bonds are not broken.
The 4 subtopics
One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.
| Subtopic | What it covers | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Ionic bonding | Ionic bonding and how ionic charge and radius set its strength, how cations and anions form and are drawn in dot-and-cross diagrams, isoelectronic series and the trends in ionic radius across them and down a group, and the observations that show ions exist. | 11 |
| Covalent bonding, dative bonding and the shapes of molecules | Recall questions on the shared pair, dative covalent bonding, and using electron pair repulsion to predict shapes and bond angles. | 18 |
| Electronegativity, polarity and intermolecular forces | Recall questions on electronegativity and bond polarity, on why a polar bond need not give a polar molecule, and on London forces, permanent dipole forces and hydrogen bonding. | 26 |
| Structure and properties | Recall questions on giant ionic, giant covalent, metallic and simple molecular structures, and on predicting melting temperature, solubility and conductivity from each. | 14 |
How the guide is worked
Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.
-
Step 1 · Closed book
Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.
-
Step 2 · Open book
Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.
-
Step 3 · Closed book again
Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.
Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.
Nearby topics
Edexcel A-Level Chemistry Active Recall Guide
Every topic, not just this one. 1,534 questions with their answers.