GCSEs

As requested, here are my top tips on GCSEs.
Some of it is things you will have heard before, but its really just what I found best from first hand experience.

1. Don't worry about them. The hardest thing to do, but the best: when you come out the other end, you will be thinking 'why did I even feel stressed!?'
2. Sleep. Early nights, especially before exams.
3. Treat yourself. Woo! For revising and during the exam period: I got through a lot of flavoured popcorn doing this blog.
4. Revise.
5. Practise. Do every past paper you can find.
6. Teach someone else; the best way to learn is to explain to other people.
7. Don't be stupid  (go to hospital/do drugs before your exam.)
8. Bring all the right equipment to the exam- you just feel so prepared and in control.
9. Start revising really early to lighten the load and get things in you long term memory.
10. Deep breathing, kept me calm, focused and stress free ;)

Woo!

Another one down, every point in the spec should now be covered!

Good luck to all exam takers!

1.30 recall the charges of common ions in this specification

K +
Na +
Li +
H +

Mg 2+
Ca 2+

Al 3+

Cl-
Br-
I-
F-
OH-

NO3-

SO4 2-

CO3 2-

5.31 describe important uses of sodium hydroxide, including the manufacture of bleach, paper and soap; and of chlorine, including sterilising water supplies and in the manufacture of bleach and hydrochloric acid.

Sodium Hydroxide: Bleach; paper; soap

Chlorine: sterilising water; bleach; hydrochloric acid

5.30 write ionic half-equations for the reactions at the electrodes in the diaphragm cell

2 Cl- > Cl2 + 2e-
2 H+ + 2e- > H2

Really useful video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUvnwUdtwqo

5.29 describe the manufacture of sodium hydroxide and chlorine by the electrolysis of concentrated sodium chloride solution (brine) in a diaphragm cell

Brine is NaCl solution.
In electrolysis, chlorine is created at the anode, hydrogen is created at the cathode, sodium hydroxide is left in the solution.

2NaCl + 2H2O > 2NaOH + H2 + Cl2

This happens in a diaphragm cell.

5.28 describe the use of sulfuric acid in the manufacture of detergents, fertilisers and paints

Detergents: used to 'sulphonate' products (apperently.)
Fertilisers: reacted to make phosphates soluble to plants: reacted to make ammonia easier to handle.
Paints: reacted with titanium ore to make a main pigment in paint.

http://bscstriplescience.wikispaces.com/file/view/C3_4_12+Why+is+sulphuric+acid+important.pdf