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Mathematical, structural convention and data skills

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3 topics · 11 learning objectives

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  1. Mathematical requirements

    1. M.1—Arithmetic, rounding, percentages, means and significant figures

      Perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; understand integers; estimate numerical expressions; round numbers correctly; give answers to appropriate significant figures; calculate percentages, convert fractions and percentages, and calculate arithmetic means.

    2. M.2—Unit conversions, standard form, logs and algebra

      Convert cm3, dm3 and m3; nm and m; Pa and kPa; seconds and minutes; mg, g, kg and tonne; Celsius and Kelvin; J and kJ. Use standard form, logarithms for pH, powers, roots and reciprocals; rearrange formulae; substitute quantities with consistent units; solve simple algebraic equations.

    3. M.3—Graphs, proportionality, gradients and intercepts

      Test direct proportionality by graph or constant ratio; choose variables and scales; plot linear graphs of y = mx + c; determine and interpret gradient and intercept; choose best-fit lines or curves; use plotted points marked as crosses or circled dots.

    4. M.4—Curves, models, logarithms and core chemical formulae

      Interpret tangent gradients as rates of change and areas under curves where physically meaningful; estimate orders of magnitude; set up simple algebraic models such as rate equations and identify limitations; use log x and ln x; calculate density, concentration and number of moles.

    5. M.5—Key quantities, symbols and units

      Use key quantities, symbols and units correctly, including mass, length, time, current, temperature, amount of substance, Avogadro constant, potential difference, charge, Faraday constant, half-life, Kw, R, Ar, Mr, E standard, enthalpy change and volume.

  2. Organic structure and mechanism conventions

    1. Reference—Structural, displayed and skeletal formula conventions

      Represent organic compounds using accepted structural, displayed, skeletal and partial-skeletal formula conventions; give enough detail for an unambiguous structure; use the preferred aromatic ring convention.

    2. Reference—Organic reaction mechanism conventions

      Draw organic reaction mechanisms using charges, dipoles, lone pairs of electrons and curly arrows to show electron movement and mechanism steps clearly.

  3. Data section reference

    1. Data reference—Important constants and standards

      Use supplied constants and standards including R, F, Avogadro constant, electronic charge, molar gas volume at s.t.p. and room conditions, Kw and specific heat capacity of water.

    2. Data reference—Ionisation energies, electronegativity and Periodic Table

      Use ionisation energy tables, Pauling electronegativity values and the Periodic Table to support explanations of trends, bonding, periodicity and chemical behaviour.

    3. Data reference—Bond energies

      Use exact and average bond energy tables to calculate or interpret enthalpy changes and compare bond strengths, remembering that average bond energies are approximations.

    4. Data reference—Infrared absorption frequencies

      Use characteristic infrared absorption frequency ranges to identify selected bonds and functional groups, especially in combination with other analytical evidence.