A-Level Chemistry syllabus overview in HTML format
This topic in A-Level inorganic chemistry focuses on how the properties of Period 3 elements change across the period, especially from metallic/basic behaviour to non-metallic/acidic behaviour. Students study reactions with water and oxygen, trends in oxide structure and bonding, melting points, and the acid-base character of the oxides.
| Area of study | What students need to know |
|---|---|
| Reactions with water | Study the reactions of Na and Mg with water. |
| Reactions with oxygen |
Understand trends in the reactions of Na, Mg, Al, Si, P and S with oxygen,
limited to the formation of Na2O, MgO, Al2O3,
SiO2, P4O10, SO2 and SO3.
|
| Melting point trends | Explain the trend in the melting points of the highest oxides in terms of structure and bonding. |
| Oxides with water |
Understand how the oxides react with water and the pH of the solutions formed, limited to
Na2O, MgO, Al2O3, SiO2, P4O10,
SO2 and SO3.
|
| Acids and anions formed | Know the structures of the acids and anions formed when P4O10, SO2 and SO3 react with water. |
| Equation writing and explanation | Be able to write equations and explain trends using bonding, structure and acid-base behaviour. |
Al2O3 is amphoteric.| Oxide | General character |
|---|---|
Na2O, MgO |
Basic oxides |
Al2O3 |
Amphoteric oxide |
SiO2 |
Essentially unreactive with water in this context |
P4O10, SO2, SO3 |
Acidic oxides |
AQA states this topic explicitly as Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides. Edexcel and Eduqas cover much of the same chemistry through broader periodicity and inorganic trends rather than always naming it as a separate standalone section.