Chapter 1 of Thanaweya Amma chemistry is the transition elements, followed by chemical analysis, equilibrium, electrochemistry and organic chemistry. This guide lays out the five chapters, shows how to approach chapter 1 questions and organic questions, then how to practise them on EXAMEV.
Chapter 1: Transition elements
- Position of the transition elements, their divisions and four series, electronic configuration and oxidation states.
- General properties of the first transition series and the catalytic activity of transition metals.
- Iron: abundance and ores, extraction (preparation, roasting, reduction) and steelmaking.
- Alloys, physical and chemical properties of iron, and iron oxides.
A worked example from chapter 1
Percentage of iron in iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3, with Fe = 56 and O = 16: molar mass = 2 × 56 + 3 × 16 = 160 g/mol, so the percentage is 112 ÷ 160 × 100 = 70%.
The other chapters in brief
- Chapter 2: Chemical analysis, including anion tests and titration calculations. Example: 20 mL of 0.1 M HCl neutralises 25 mL of NaOH in a 1:1 ratio, so the alkali is 0.1 × 20 ÷ 25 = 0.08 M.
- Chapter 3: Chemical equilibrium, including Le Chatelier's principle, the equilibrium constant, Ostwald's law, pH and the solubility product. Example: 0.01 M HCl has pH = 2.
- Chapter 4: Electrochemistry, including galvanic cells, batteries, corrosion and Faraday's laws.
- Chapter 5: Organic chemistry, the largest part of the bank: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, benzene, alcohols, phenols, carboxylic acids and esters.
Organic chemistry questions: how to solve them
- General formulas: alkanes CnH2n+2, alkenes CnH2n. The alkane C5H12 has three isomers (pentane, 2-methylbutane, 2,2-dimethylpropane).
- Adding a hydrogen halide to an unsymmetrical alkene follows Markovnikov's rule: HBr with propene gives 2-bromopropane.
- In IUPAC naming choose the longest chain, number from the end nearest a branch, then list branches alphabetically.
In organic questions draw the structural formula first, then write the equation. Most errors come from choosing the wrong chain when naming or forgetting Markovnikov's rule.
How EXAMEV helps
The EXAMEV Thanaweya Amma chemistry bank has 2,885 questions: 408 on transition elements, 329 on chemical analysis, 288 on equilibrium, 477 on electrochemistry and 1,584 on organic chemistry, spread over 236 lessons. Types include multiple choice, true/false, calculations, matching and ordering, each with an explanation. Start with a 25-question practice set, then a timed exam of 25 questions in 45 minutes, then the full 50-question exam in 100 minutes.