5.0 answering techniques 🤓

Question 1

[atomic structure] general structure for answering comparison of IE questions

Answer 1

1. write out electronic configuration of both atoms
2. identify which factor is responsible (effective nuclear charge due to nuclear charge and screening effect OR distance of electron from nucleus)
3. link to energy required to remove electron
4. hence link back to IE

Question 2

[chem bonding] general structure for answering physical property questions

Answer 2

1. identify type of structure
2. identify chemical bond/interactions
3. relate it to energy required and hence relate it to property

Question 3

[chem bonding] general structure for answering solubility questions

Answer 3

1. identify type of structure of solute
2. ion-dipole interactions (or hydrogen bonds between solute and water molecules) release sufficient energy to overcome strong ionic bonds for the detachment of ions from the ionic lattice for hydration to occur (or hydrogen bonds between solute molecules and between water molecules)
   OR
3. no strong interactions are formed between solute and solvent molecules, hence insufficient energy is released to overcome the strong hydrogen bonds between solute molecules