Friday, 18 January 2013

C1g Smells

You need to be able to
  • Describe and explain the formation and properties of esters in synthetic perfumes
  • Explain how esters can be used as solvents (or why water won't remove nail polish)
  • Explain the need to test cosmetics, and opinions surrounding testing on animals
  1. Esters notes from BBC Bitesize
  2. Soluble and insoluble materials BBC clip
  3. Cosmetics testing notes

Thursday, 17 January 2013

C1h Paints and Pigments

You need to be able to:
  • Describe the ingredients in and explain the structure of paints (colloids)
  • Explain how oil pains and how emulsion paints dry
  • Describe and explain the uses of thermochromatic and phosphorescent pigments
  1. Paints and pigments notes from Bitesize
  2. Paints video...

  3. And another...

  4. Watching paint dry animation and notes

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

C2a The Structure of the Earth

You need to be able to:
  • Describe the properties of the layers of the Earth and the problems in studying it
  • Describe the development and the theory of plate tectonics
  • Describe the action of volcanoes
  1. Lots of visualisations - scroll down to "chapter 8 plate tectonics"
  2. Wegener's Theory - notes from BBC Bitesize
  3. Interactive map of active volcanoes
  4. Information and videos on volcano types
  5. Composite vs shield volcano video
  6. Lots of notes...doc b's Earth Science Notes
  7. Types of eruption




Tuesday, 15 January 2013

C2b Construction Materials

You need to be able to:
  • Explain the formation, properties and uses of marble, granite and limestone
  • Construct a balanced symbol equation for the decomposition of limestone
  • Compare and contrast the manufacture and properties of cement, concrete and reinforced concrete
  1. Lots of notes and web links on rock types and rock cycle
  2. Copper carbonate + heat -> Copper oxide + Carbon dioxideThermal decomposition of limestone notes from the BBC
  3. Notes from Doc Brown
  4. Class clips on concrete from the BBC

Monday, 14 January 2013

C2c Metals and Alloys

You need to be able to:
  • Explain the extraction and purification of copper using balanced symbol equations and half equations
  • Evaluate the use of metals and/or alloys for a particular use (e.g. amalgam, brass, solder, bronze, steel)
  • Explain how smart alloys can be used
  1. Notes on electrolysis from BBC Bitesize

  2. Another chemistry blog with notes on electrolysis
  3. Alloys notes from BBC Bitesize

Sunday, 13 January 2013

C2d Making Cars

You need to be able to:
  • Explain rusting using balanced symbol equations, and descriptions of ideal conditions
  • Evaluate the use of aluminium, steel and other materials in the manufacture of cars
  • Explain the advantages and disadvantages of recycling materials used to make cars



  1. Iron vs Aluminium notes from BBC Bitesize

Saturday, 12 January 2013

C2e Manufacturing Chemicals: Making Ammonia

You need to be able to:
  • Describe how ammonia is made in the Haber Process utilising balanced symbol equations
  • Explain the conditions used in the Haber process in relation to the reversible reaction and to economic considerations
  • Explain why producing ammonia is important

  1. Make sure you can interpret graphs....
  2. Why ammonia is important....