CAIE IGCSE Chemistry Summary Notes

These flashcards cover fundamental topics from the CAIE IGCSE Chemistry syllabus, including states of matter, chemical reactions, bonding types, and environmental chemistry.

What are the three states of matter?

Solid, Liquid, and Gas.

What is boiling?

A process where a liquid turns into a gas at a specific temperature called the boiling point.

What is evaporation?

The conversion of a liquid into a gas that occurs at any temperature below the boiling point, primarily at the surface.

What happens during condensation?

A gas converts into a liquid at the same temperature as the boiling point.

What is melting?

The process in which a solid turns into a liquid at a specific temperature called the melting point.

What does the term 'sublimation' refer to?

The transition of a solid directly into a gas or a gas directly into a solid.

What does a cooling curve represent?

It shows how the temperature of a substance changes over time as it cools.

What factors affect the rate of diffusion?

The state of matter (gases diffuse faster than liquids, which diffuse faster than solids) and the relative molecular mass of the particles.

What is metallic bonding?

The electrostatic attraction between positive metal ions and a 'sea' of delocalised electrons.

What is the difference between ionic compounds and covalent compounds in terms of conductivity?

Ionic compounds conduct electricity when molten or aqueous, while covalent compounds do not conduct electricity because they lack free-moving charged particles.

What characterizes isotopes?

Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

What is electron configuration?

The distribution of electrons in an atom's electron shells.

What are the indicators of a chemical reaction?

A change in color, temperature, gas production, or the formation of a precipitate.

What does Le Châtelier's principle state?

If conditions of equilibrium are changed, the position of the equilibrium shifts to oppose the change.

What is the Haber process?

A method for synthesizing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen under specific temperature and pressure conditions.

What does the term 'redox' mean?

A simultaneous oxidation and reduction reaction.

What are strong acids and weak acids?

Strong acids are completely dissociated in aqueous solution, while weak acids are partially dissociated.

What is the general formula for alkanes?

CₙH₂ₙ₊₂, where n is the number of carbon atoms.

What represents a complete combustion reaction?

A reaction where a hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.

What are the four main types of separation techniques?

Filtration, Crystallization, Distillation, and Chromatography.

What is the pH scale range for acids?

Acids have a pH between 1 (strong) and 6 (weak).

What are organic compounds characterized by?

The presence of carbon atoms.