Electron Configuration
Shell and orbital configuration fluency for periodicity, ion formation, and bonding predictions.
This route helps when you keep missing the same type of question across different topics. Use it to combine lesson notes with linked practice and tools in one place.
Notes and Hubs in This Route
- Why alloys have different properties
Identify alloys from composition and particle diagrams, explain how different-sized particles hinder layer movement, and distinguish hardness from other material properties.
- Relative atomic, molecular and formula mass
Ar and Mr (formula mass): understand the carbon-12 comparison and calculate relative masses accurately using subscripts and brackets.
- Atomic structure and particle counts
Describe the nucleus and electron shells, compare subatomic particles, and count protons, neutrons and electrons in atoms and single-atom ions.
- Comparing covalent structures
Compare small molecules, poly(ethene) chains and giant covalent networks. Use bonds, forces and mobile charge carriers to explain their properties.
- Covalent bonding and electron diagrams
Count shared and lone electron pairs, draw dot-and-cross diagrams, and deduce single, double and triple covalent bonds.
- Elements and isotopes
Read nuclide notation, distinguish isotopes by proton and neutron counts, and explain why shared electron arrangements give very similar chemistry.
- Ionic bonding: forming ions and balancing charges
Form ions by electron loss and gain, show sodium chloride and magnesium chloride with dot-and-cross diagrams, and balance charges to write formulas.
- Ionic structures and properties
Use the giant lattice and ion mobility to explain high melting temperatures and the electrical conductivity of solid, molten and dissolved ionic compounds.
- Giant covalent structures: diamond, graphite and silica
Explain the hardness, conductivity and heat resistance of diamond, graphite and silicon dioxide using their giant covalent structures.
- Metallic bonding and metal properties
Use positive metal ions and delocalised electrons to explain electrical and thermal conduction, melting behaviour, malleability and ductility.
- Metals and Non-Metals
Compare metals and non-metals, link outer electrons to ion formation, and apply the metallic-to-non-metallic trend across a period.
- Molecular structures and properties
Distinguish bonds within molecules from attractions between molecules, and use structure to explain melting, boiling and electrical behaviour.
- Reading the Periodic Table
Learn how proton number and electron configuration determine Periodic Table position, common ion charges, group similarities and metallic character.
- What is matter?
Matter: made of atoms, molecules or ions, and the particle-model properties of solids, liquids and gases (shape, volume, compressibility).
- Atomic Orbitals: Energies and Shapes (A Level)
Describe the number, relative energies, and shapes of s, p and d orbitals (n=1–3) plus 4s and 4p, and use them to support electron configuration answers.
- Atomic Structure (A Level)
A Level atomic structure notes: nuclides and ions, orbitals and electron configurations, and first/successive ionisation energies (trends, anomalies, data).
- Bond Energy, Bond Length and Bond Polarity (A Level)
Define bond energy and bond length, and compare covalent bond reactivity using bond energy, bond length, and bond polarity.
- Chemical Bonding (A Level)
A Level chemical bonding notes: ionic/covalent/dative bonding, VSEPR shapes, sigma and pi bonds, intermolecular forces, and structure–property links.
- Dative Bonding and Common Examples (A Level)
Describe coordinate (dative covalent) bonding in ammonium ions and aluminium chloride dimers with the correct electron-pair origin.
- Deducing Unknown Elements from Data (A Level)
Answer ‘unknown element’ questions by combining trends, oxidation states, simple reactions, and physical-property clues.
- First Ionisation Energy Trends (A Level)
Define first ionisation energy and explain periodic trends using nuclear charge, shielding, and distance from the nucleus.
- Group 17 Chemistry Trends (A Level)
Explain Group 17 trends from chlorine to iodine: volatility, oxidising strength from E° values, displacement reactions, and hydrogen-halide thermal stability.
- Group 2 Chemistry Trends (A Level)
Explain Group 2 trends from Mg to Ba: electronic structure, atomic properties, reducing strength from E° values, and carbonate thermal stability.
- Group 1 Elements: The Alkali Metals
Learn Group 1 alkali-metal properties, melting-point and reactivity trends, water-reaction observations, balanced equations and exam explanations.
- Group 17 Elements: The Halogens
Learn Group 17 halogen colours and states, the reactivity trend, displacement predictions, balanced ionic equations and precise observations.
- Intermolecular Forces and Properties (A Level)
Compare London forces, permanent dipole–dipole, and hydrogen bonding, and explain how IMF strength affects boiling point, solubility, and viscosity.
- Ionic and Covalent Bonding Models (A Level)
Describe ionic, covalent and metallic bonding as electrostatic attractions, and draw the syllabus dot-and-cross examples.
- Molecular Shapes and Bond Angles (VSEPR) (A Level)
Use VSEPR to predict 3D shapes and bond angles, including lone pair effects and common molecules like NH3, H2O, CO2, and SF6.
- Noble Gases (Group 18)
Learn why Group 18 noble gases are monatomic and very unreactive, and link helium, neon and argon to their syllabus uses.
- Orbitals and Electron Configuration (A Level)
Use orbitals (s/p/d) to write electron configurations for atoms and ions, including the 4s-before-3d removal rule for transition-metal cations.
- The Periodic Table (A Level)
A Level periodicity notes: physical trends, Period 3 oxides, hydroxides and chlorides, Group 2 and 17 redox trends, and data-based deductions.
- Periodic Trends (Radius, IE, EN) (A Level)
Explain trends in atomic radius, ionic radius, ionisation energy, and electronegativity using nuclear charge, shielding, and electron shells.
- Sigma and Pi Bonds (Orbital Overlap) (A Level)
Describe covalent bonding through head-on and sideways overlap of s and p orbitals, giving sigma and pi bonds.
- Solids: Structure and Physical Properties (A Level)
Describe the five specified solid lattices, link bonding to physical properties, and deduce structure from property data.
- Subatomic Particles, Isotopes, Ions (A Level)
Use proton/neutron/electron facts to interpret nuclide symbols, explain isotopes and ions, and predict deflection of beams in electric fields.
- Successive Ionisation Energies (A Level)
Interpret successive ionisation energy data to deduce valence electrons and group, and explain large jumps using shell changes.
- The Periodic Table
Periodic Table hub covering groups, periods, Group 1 and 17 trends, noble gases, transition elements and the reactivity series.
- Transition Elements
Learn the typical K324 / 6092 properties of transition elements: high melting points and densities, variable oxidation states, coloured compounds and catalysts.
- The Particulate Nature of Matter
Chemistry Matter hub: particle model, atoms/electron configuration, and bonding (ionic, covalent, metallic, giant covalent). Practise the topic with its check.
- Chemiluminescence Explained: Why Some Reactions Glow
Chemiluminescence is light produced directly by a chemical reaction. Learn how glow sticks work, why colours change, and where the technique is used.
- Bioluminescence: How Living Things Make Light
Bioluminescence is chemistry inside living organisms. Learn the luciferin–luciferase reaction and why so many ocean species glow.
- The Chemistry of Fireworks: Colour, Light, and Bangs
Fireworks are controlled combustion. Learn how oxidisers, fuels, and metal salts create colour, light, and sound.