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*Revision Materials and Past Papers* 2.1.1 Atomic structure and isotopes 2.1.2 Compounds, formulae and equations 2.1.3 Amount of substance 2.1.4 Acids 2.1.5 Redox 2.2.1 Electron structure 2.2.2 Bonding and structure 3.1.1 Periodicity 3.1.2 Group 2 3.1.3 The halogens 3.1.4 Qualitative analysis 3.2.1 Enthalpy 3.2.2 Reaction Rates 3.2.3 Chemical equilibrium 4.1 Basic concepts and hydrocarbons 4.1.2 Alkanes 4.1.3 Alkenes 4.2.1 Alcohols 4.2.2 Haloalkanes 4.2.3 Organic synthesis 4.2.4 Analytical techniques 5.1.1 How fast? 5.1.2 How far? 5.1.3 Acids, bases and buffers 5.2.1 Lattice enthalpy 5.2.2 Enthalpy and entropy 5.2.3 Redox and electrode potentials 5.3.1 Transition elements 5.3.2 Qualitative analysis 6.1.1 Aromatic compounds 6.1.2 Carbonyl compounds 6.1.3 Carboxylic acids and esters 6.2.1 Amines 6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality 6.2.3 Polyesters and polyamides 6.2.4 Carbon–carbon bond formation 6.2.5 Organic synthesis 6.3.1 Chromatography and qualitative analysis 6.3.2 Spectroscopy Required Practicals

Required Practicals

1 Moles determination 2 Acid–base titration 3 Enthalpy determination 4 Qualitative analysis of ions 5 Synthesis of an organic liquid 6 Synthesis of an organic solid 7 Qualitative analysis of organic functional groups 8 Electrochemical cells 9 Rates of reaction – continuous monitoring method 10 Rates of reaction – initial rates method 11 pH measurement 12 Research skills

Core Practical 12: Research Skills

Aim: To develop investigative approaches for scientific questions, apply online and offline research methods, and correctly cite sources of information in chemistry.

Background

Unlike experimental laboratory work, this core practical focuses on research methods.

You must be able to come up with a clear scientific question, search for information effectively, critically evaluate the reliability of sources, and correctly reference the information used.

These skills are vital in modern chemistry, where much learning and investigation relies on secondary sources as well as primary experimental data.

Worked Example

Worked Example: Dissolution of Iron Tablets

Research question: “How long does it take iron tablets to break down in the stomach?”
Online research (NHS, ScienceAlert, PubMed): Reports vary between 20–30 minutes for standard tablets, but up to an hour depending on formulation and posture.
Offline research (pharmacology textbooks): Confirms dissolution in acidic gastric conditions within ~30 minutes for non-coated tablets.
Conclusion: Most iron tablets dissolve in gastric acid within 30 minutes, but absorption occurs later in the duodenum. Sources cited: NHS (2023), Smith et al. (2019).

Evaluation and Sources of Error

Improvements