O-Level Chemistry: Tips on Chemical Bonding

Tips for GCE O-Level Chemistry: CHEMICAL BONDING

Many students neglect this very fundamental yet important topic in Secondary 3 when they learn Chemistry from their school teachers. They never realised that mastery of this topic would have helped them to truly understand they key concepts in most follow up topics in Secondary 3 and 4 such as:

1) Acids & Bases
2) Preparation of Salts
3) Mole Calculations
4) Qualitative Analysis (Identification of Ions)
5) Periodic Table & Group Trends
6) Metals & Reactivity Series
7) Energy Changes
8) Redox & Electrolysis
9) Organic Chemistry

etc…. there are so many topics that requires students to have a strong foundation of Chemical Bondings that it will take a lot of typings for me to list them down one-by-one.

However, many do not realise the importance of this topic and take it very lightly. They would tell you that they are pretty good with this topic but whenever you analyse their exam papers, you will realise that they don’t really know the topic well. They often USE THE WRONG KEYWORDS or have a LACK OF KEYWORDS such that their teacher have no choice but to minus marks.

Some also do not understand the difference between “TYPES OF BONDING” and “TYPES OF STRUCTURES”

[Check out the Flow Chart above that i always use to remind my Chemistry students]

Do note that whenever the question ask for “PROPERTIES” of a substance, we are really asking you to link the physical properties of a substance to the “TYPES OF STRUCTURES” and NOT “Types of Bonds”. It is always a Common Mistake!

Example:
Explain why carbon dioxide is a gas at room temperature and pressure.

Many students would mention the following:

“The covalent bonds in the carbon dioxide molecule is weak and thus requires small amount of energy to overcome it.” which is WRONG! It only shows the examiner that you are weak in your concepts.

Suggested Answer:

“Weak intermolecular forces of attraction exists between the small covalent molecules of carbon dioxide. Small amount of energy is required to overcome it.” This is so much better, with the correct keywords all given to the examiner.

Many students are not aware that there are Two Types of Bonds/Forces when it comes to carbon dioxide which is a SIMPLE MOLECULAR STRUCTURE, which are:

1) Strong Covalent Bonds between the atoms WITHIN the small molecules

2) Weak Intermolecular Forces of Attraction BETWEEN the small molecules

Are you one of them? Time to be aware……

P.S. Feel free to “share” this post with anyone who might benefit from it.

Note:
For those that need help to sort out this essential topic quickly and confidently, i have good news for you.

I will be conducting a 1-Day Chemical Bonding Intensive Revision Workshop on Wednesday, 4th June during the School Holiday. I will be teaching a committed group of students to truly appreciate the Key Essential Concepts and the Keywords associated with it.

There’s also an early bird price for those who sign up now 🙂