BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Applied Science
Additional Guidance
Unit 5 – Section A – Properties and uses of substances
Essential Content Additional Guidance
A1 Relating properties to uses and production of Learners should:
substances
Understand the chemical properties of substances:
o amphoteric character of alumina know that alumina is aluminium oxide
know the formula (Al2O3)
understand the term amphoteric (the ability to act as an acid or as a base),
and in comparison to acids and bases
understand the chemical properties of alumina (ie amphoteric nature)
be able to construct and balance equations to show acid-base nature of
aluminium oxide
o basic character of metal oxides and hydroxides be able to write balanced chemical and ionic equations for the reaction of
metal oxides or metal hydroxides with acids to include:
o group 1, 2 and period 4 transition metal oxides and hydroxides
o with common inorganic acids (hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric
acid)
understand how equations show basic behaviour
o ease of electrolysis understand the terms electrolysis, electrolyte, cathode and anode
know the conditions (molten or in solution) under which electrolysis takes
place and associated energy requirements
know that electrolysis conditions will be more demanding as the reactivity of
1
, the metal increases
know that it is an energetically more feasible option than reduction of a metal
oxide
be able to predict products of electrolysis under given conditions
be able to write half equations for reduction and oxidation
Understand the uses of substances:
o Ca(OH)2 in acidic effluent treatment understand how calcium hydroxide neutralises acid
be able to write balanced chemical and ionic equations for the reaction
o transition metals, transition metal oxides and transition metal understand the term transition metal (an element which can form one or more
complexes as catalysts ions with an incomplete d subshell)
o vanadium (V) oxide as catalyst in the contact process, iron as understand the key physical and chemical characteristics
a catalyst in the Haber process o incomplete d subshell
o coloured compounds
o variable oxidation states
o catalysis
o complex ion formation
understand the term complex ion (central metal atom or ion surrounded by
ligands and bonded with dative covalent bonds)
understand associated characteristics of complex ions including:
o ligands (molecules or ions with lone pairs of electrons that can be
donated to form a dative covalent bond)
o dative covalent (co-ordinate) bond
be able to draw structural formulae of complex ions
know the term catalyst (substance which speeds up a reaction and is
unchanged at the end of the reaction)
understand how catalysts function in terms of:
o effect on energy requirements and activation energy
2
Additional Guidance
Unit 5 – Section A – Properties and uses of substances
Essential Content Additional Guidance
A1 Relating properties to uses and production of Learners should:
substances
Understand the chemical properties of substances:
o amphoteric character of alumina know that alumina is aluminium oxide
know the formula (Al2O3)
understand the term amphoteric (the ability to act as an acid or as a base),
and in comparison to acids and bases
understand the chemical properties of alumina (ie amphoteric nature)
be able to construct and balance equations to show acid-base nature of
aluminium oxide
o basic character of metal oxides and hydroxides be able to write balanced chemical and ionic equations for the reaction of
metal oxides or metal hydroxides with acids to include:
o group 1, 2 and period 4 transition metal oxides and hydroxides
o with common inorganic acids (hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric
acid)
understand how equations show basic behaviour
o ease of electrolysis understand the terms electrolysis, electrolyte, cathode and anode
know the conditions (molten or in solution) under which electrolysis takes
place and associated energy requirements
know that electrolysis conditions will be more demanding as the reactivity of
1
, the metal increases
know that it is an energetically more feasible option than reduction of a metal
oxide
be able to predict products of electrolysis under given conditions
be able to write half equations for reduction and oxidation
Understand the uses of substances:
o Ca(OH)2 in acidic effluent treatment understand how calcium hydroxide neutralises acid
be able to write balanced chemical and ionic equations for the reaction
o transition metals, transition metal oxides and transition metal understand the term transition metal (an element which can form one or more
complexes as catalysts ions with an incomplete d subshell)
o vanadium (V) oxide as catalyst in the contact process, iron as understand the key physical and chemical characteristics
a catalyst in the Haber process o incomplete d subshell
o coloured compounds
o variable oxidation states
o catalysis
o complex ion formation
understand the term complex ion (central metal atom or ion surrounded by
ligands and bonded with dative covalent bonds)
understand associated characteristics of complex ions including:
o ligands (molecules or ions with lone pairs of electrons that can be
donated to form a dative covalent bond)
o dative covalent (co-ordinate) bond
be able to draw structural formulae of complex ions
know the term catalyst (substance which speeds up a reaction and is
unchanged at the end of the reaction)
understand how catalysts function in terms of:
o effect on energy requirements and activation energy
2
