Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.
Understanding
- I can name the attractions and repulsions between two approaching atoms and say which dominates at long and at short distance. (Guide: “Why a bond has a length”; Practice Q7)
- I can explain why the zero of potential energy is set at infinite separation and why a bonded pair has negative potential energy. (Guide: Figure 1; Practice Q4(d))
- I can state that forming a bond releases energy and breaking a bond absorbs it. (Guide: “Reading a potential energy graph”; Practice Q1, Q7)
- I can explain how the size of an atom’s core affects bond length and bond energy. (Guide: Factor 1; Practice Q2)
- I can explain why higher bond order gives shorter, stronger bonds. (Guide: Factor 2 and Figure 2; Practice Q5)
Skills
- I can read the equilibrium bond length and the bond energy from a potential energy curve. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q1)
- I can plot a potential energy curve from data with labelled axes, units and a sensible scale. (Practice Q4)
- I can sketch and compare two potential energy curves on the same axes. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q5(c))
- I can convert a molar bond energy into the energy for one bond using Avogadro’s number. (Guide: Worked example 1)
- I can calculate q₁q₂ / r² from ion charges and radii and use it to rank ionic attractions. (Guide: Worked example 3; Practice Q3, Q6)
Reasoning
- I can decide whether charge or size has the larger effect when comparing two ion pairs. (Practice Q6(c))
- I can correct the claims that bond breaking releases energy and that atoms are most stable when the nuclei are as close as possible. (Practice Q7)
All ticked? Move on to Topic 2.3, Structure of Ionic Solids, or return to the course roadmap.