Introducing chemical reactions

Chemistry (Combined Science) · GCSE · OCR · OCR GCSE Combined Science A (Gateway Science) — Chemistry — Foundation (J250) · Specification point · C3.1 · Chemical reactions

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Learning Objectives

C3.1 Introducing chemical reactions

Summary A chemical equation represents, in symbolic terms, the overall change in a chemical reaction. New materials are formed through chemical reactions but mass will be conserved. This can be explained by a model involving the rearrangement of atoms. Avogadro gave us a system of measuring the amount of a substance in moles. Underlying knowledge and understanding Learners should be familiar with chemical symbols and formulae for elements and compounds. They should also be familiar with representing chemical reactions using formulae and equations. Learners will have knowledge of conservation of mass, changes of state and chemical reactions. Common misconceptions Although learners may have met the conservation of mass they still tend to refer to chemical reactions as losing mass. They understand that mass is conserved but not the number or species of atoms. They may think that the original substance vanishes ‘completely and forever’ in a chemical reaction.

Reference	Mathematical learning outcomes	Maths skills
$CM3.1i$	$arithmetic computation and ratio when determining empirical formulae, balancing equations$	$M1a, M1c$

Learning outcomes	To include	Maths	Working scientifically
$C3.1a use chemical symbols to write the formulae of elements and simple covalent and ionic compounds$		$M1a, M1c$	$WS1.4a$
$C3.1b use the names and symbols of common elements and compounds and the principle of conservation of mass to write formulae and balanced chemical equations$		$M1a, M1c$	$WS1.4c$
$C3.1c use the names and symbols of common elements from a supplied Periodic Table to write formulae and balanced chemical equations where appropriate$	$the first 20 elements, Groups 1, 7, and 0 and other common elements included within the specification$
$C3.1d use the formula of common ions to deduce the formula of a compound$		$M1a, M1c$
$C3.1f describe the physical states of products and reactants using state symbols (s, l, g and aq)$
$C3.1g describe tests to identify selected gases$	$oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and chlorine$
$C3.1k recall and use the law of conservation of mass$			$WS1.4c$
$C3.1l explain any observed changes in mass in non- enclosed systems during a chemical reaction and explain them using the particle model$			$WS1.1b, WS1.4c$

Introducing chemical reactions (C3.1) | OCR GCSE Combined Science A (Gateway Science) — Chemistry — Foundation (J250) | KnowledgeSet