Edexcel IAL Chemistry Topic 8B Checklist
(2025–2026 Exams)
Topic 8: Redox Chemistry and Groups 1, 2 and 7
8B: The Elements of Groups 1 and 2
Understand reasons for the trend in ionisation energy
down Groups 1 and 2
Understand reasons for the trend in reactivity
of the elements down Group 1 (Li to K) and Group 2 (Mg to Ba)
Know the reactions of the elements of Group 1
(Li to K) and Group 2
(Mg to Ba) with oxygen
, chlorine
and water
Know the reactions of:
– Oxides of Group 1 and 2 elements with water and dilute acid
– Hydroxides of Group 1 and 2 elements with dilute acid
– Oxides of Group 1 and 2 elements with water and dilute acid
– Hydroxides of Group 1 and 2 elements with dilute acid
Know the trends in solubility
of the hydroxides and sulfates of Group 2 elements
Understand the reasons for the trends in thermal stability
of the nitrates and the carbonates of the elements in Groups 1 and 2 in terms of the size and charge of the cations involved
Understand the formation of characteristic flame colours
by Group 1 and 2 compounds in terms of electron transitions
(Students will be expected to know the flame colours for Group 1 and 2 compounds.)
(Students will be expected to know the flame colours for Group 1 and 2 compounds.)
Know experimental procedures to show:
– Patterns in the thermal decomposition of Group 1 and 2 nitrates and carbonates
(Students will be expected to know tests for carbon dioxide and oxygen; and to recognise nitrogen dioxide by its colour and acidic pH.)
– Flame colours in compounds of Group 1 and 2 elements
– Patterns in the thermal decomposition of Group 1 and 2 nitrates and carbonates
(Students will be expected to know tests for carbon dioxide and oxygen; and to recognise nitrogen dioxide by its colour and acidic pH.)
– Flame colours in compounds of Group 1 and 2 elements
Know reactions, including ionic equations where appropriate, for identifying:
– Carbonate ions , CO 3 2- , and hydrogencarbonate ions , HCO 3 - , using an aqueous acid to form carbon dioxide (and testing the gas with limewater)
– Sulfate ions , SO 4 2- , using acidified barium chloride solution
– Ammonium ions , NH 4 + , using sodium hydroxide solution and warming to form ammonia (and testing with litmus and HCl fumes)
– Carbonate ions , CO 3 2- , and hydrogencarbonate ions , HCO 3 - , using an aqueous acid to form carbon dioxide (and testing the gas with limewater)
– Sulfate ions , SO 4 2- , using acidified barium chloride solution
– Ammonium ions , NH 4 + , using sodium hydroxide solution and warming to form ammonia (and testing with litmus and HCl fumes)
Be able to calculate solution concentrations
, in mol dm -3
and g dm -3
, including simple acid-base titrations using the indicators methyl orange and phenolphthalein
CORE PRACTICAL 3
: Finding the concentration of a solution of hydrochloric acid.
Understand how to minimise the sources of measurement uncertainty in volumetric analysis and estimate the overall uncertainty in the calculated result
CORE PRACTICAL 4
: Preparation of a standard solution from a solid acid and use it to find the concentration of a solution of sodium hydroxide.
Further suggested practicals:
– Experiments to study the thermal decomposition of Group 1 and 2 nitrates and carbonates
– Flame tests on compounds of Group 1 and 2
– Simple acid-base titrations using the indicators methyl orange and phenolphthalein to calculate solution concentrations in g dm -3 and mol dm -3
– The solubility of calcium hydroxide by titration
– Determination of moles of water of crystallisation by titration
– Experiments to study the thermal decomposition of Group 1 and 2 nitrates and carbonates
– Flame tests on compounds of Group 1 and 2
– Simple acid-base titrations using the indicators methyl orange and phenolphthalein to calculate solution concentrations in g dm -3 and mol dm -3
– The solubility of calcium hydroxide by titration
– Determination of moles of water of crystallisation by titration
