Key ideas

Unit 1 Introducing chemistry

• How chemistry is related to our lives
• Laboratory safety rules and hazard warning labels
• Common apparatus in the laboratory

Unit 2 The atmosphere

• Classification of matter — element, mixture and
compound
• Separating oxygen and nitrogen from the air
• Physical and chemical properties of a substance

Unit 3 The ocean

• Composition of sea water
• Methods of obtaining common salt from sea water
• Methods of obtaining pure water from sea water
• Showing what species common salt contains
• Useful materials obtained from sodium chloride
• The particle theory of matter
• Physical and chemical changes

Unit 4 Rocks and minerals

• Metals in the Earth’s crust
• Methods for extracting metals from their ores
• Chemical reactions of calcium carbonate
• Formation of chalk, limestone and marble
 Topic 1 Planet Earth

Unit
1 Introducing chemistry

1.1 What is chemistry?

We cannot use iron ore directly (Fig. 1.1). However, we can extract
iron from iron ore by chemical methods. We can then make a lot
of useful products from iron. The process of changing iron ore into
iron is a topic of chemistry.

Chemistry is the science which deals with the composition,

structure, properties and reactions of substances. Chemists always ask
many questions about substances.

• What are substances made of? For example, what are sugar and
common salt made of? (Fig. 1.2)

• Why do different substances have different properties? For example,

why does water flow more easily than petroleum? (Fig. 1.3)
Fig. 1.1 An iron ore
• How do different substances react? For example, how does
magnesium react with dilute hydrochloric acid? (Fig. 1.4)

Fig. 1.2 What are sugar and Fig. 1.3 Water flows easily Fig. 1.4 Magnesium reacts with
common salt made of? dilute hydrochloric acid
vigorously

By applying the knowledge of chemistry, we can produce many

useful products, such as metals, fuels and artificial fertilizers from
natural raw materials.

iron ore petroleum fuel artificial fertilizer

2 raw material
 Unit 1 Introducing chemistry
8PSLTIFFU
A worksheet on this activity is
available for download from Jing
Kung Chemistry Website.

Suggest TWO useful products we can obtain from each of the following natural raw materials.
1 • Timber 3 • Oxygen
1 Plants • Food (for example, flour, oats, sugar, • Nitrogen any two
cooking oil) any two • Argon
2 Sea water • Clothes (for example, cotton, linen) 4 • Fuels
• Rubber • Chemicals (for example, plastic,
2 • Common salt (sodium chloride) pesticides, perfumes)
3 Air
• Magnesium any two
• Bromine
4 Petroleum

1.2 Why study chemistry?

Fig. 1.5 shows a person driving home. Would that be possible if there
were no fuel, metal, plastic, etc.?

Chemistry plays an essential role in our lives (Figs. 1.6a – f). You
can find results of chemistry everywhere.

1 Many household appliances are made of metals extracted from

ores by chemical methods.
Fig. 1.5 A person driving home
2 Many of our clothes are made from synthetic fibres produced by
chemical methods.

3 Pesticides and artificial fertilizers used to increase the yield of crops

are made by chemical methods.

4 The petroleum industry is an important branch of the chemical

industry which produces fuels for cars, ships and aeroplanes.

5 Food additives used to improve the taste and flavour of our food
are made by chemical methods.

6 Drugs are chemical products. The use of drugs lowers the rate of
death from diseases.

synthetic fibre pesticide yield food additive

3
 Topic 1 Planet Earth

(a) Making household appliances (b) Making clothes (c) Using pesticides and artificial
fertilizers to increase the
yield of crops

(e) Improving the taste and flavour

(d) Producing fuels
of food
(f) Making drugs

Fig. 1.6 Chemistry is related to us in many ways

The study of chemistry also helps us learn how to conserve our

7JEFP environment, such as how to reduce the global warming problem.
Greenhouse effect We also learn how to handle household chemicals, such as bleaches,
safely.

Energy needs and global warming

Our continued and increasing use of fossil fuels is causing many serious
environmental problems.
According to a report released by the United Nations, the world will face an average
temperature rise of around 3 °C this century, if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise
at their current pace.
A review issued by the UK government suggested that an average temperature rise
of 3 °C would translate into severe water shortages and lower crop yields around the
world. There is an urgent need for countries to adopt measures to limit their greenhouse
gas emissions. Emissions from a coal-fired
power station
(Source: JKP 03/2007)

conserve global warming bleach

4
 Unit 1 Introducing chemistry
8PSLTIFFU
A worksheet on this activity is
available for download from Jing
Kung Chemistry Website.

Scientific inventions may have both good and bad effects. Suggest a good and a bad effect for each
of the following discoveries.

1 Explosive 2 Insecticide 3 Aspirin

Good effect Bad effect
1 Explosive Used in building industry Used in wars
2 Insecticide Increase food protection Poison our food
3 Aspirin A good painkiller Side effects

1.3 Laboratory safety

3FGFSFODF
8FCTJUF When studying chemistry, we often carry out experiments in the
The Science Education Section of Education laboratory. If we are careless when working in the laboratory, accidents
Manpower Bureau (now the Education
Bureau) has developed a set of learning may occur and we may be injured. The following are the safety rules
and teaching resources on safety in science for work and behaviour in the laboratory.
laboratories:
http://cd1.edb.hkedcity.net/cd/science/
DON’Ts
laboratory/content_activities.html

1 Do not enter the laboratory unless a teacher is present.

2 Do not run or play in the laboratory.

3 Do not remove anything from the laboratory without your teacher’s

permission.

4 Do not touch chemicals with bare hands. Use a spatula to transfer

solid chemicals (Fig. 1.7a).

5 Do not leave experiments unattended.

6 Do not smell gases directly — wave the gas towards your nose as
shown in Fig. 1.7b.

Fig. 1.7a Use a spatula to transfer solid Fig. 1.7b The correct way to
chemicals smell a gas

explosive insecticide aspirin spatula

5
 Topic 1 Planet Earth

7 When you put a chemical into a test tube for heating, fill not
more than one third of the test tube with the chemical. Do not
look down at the test tube directly or point its mouth towards
anyone when holding it for heating (Fig. 1.7c).

1
3

Fig. 1.7c Do not point the mouth of the test tube

towards anyone when holding it for heating

8 Do not taste anything in the laboratory.

9 Do not eat or drink in the laboratory.

10 Do not put chemicals into the sink. Put them into appropriate
waste bottles.

11 Do not wear loose clothing, nor allow your hair or tie to dangle
when conducting experiments.

DOs

12 Always follow strictly the instructions given by your teacher.

13 Always read the label on a reagent bottle carefully to make sure

it contains the chemical you need. Put the bottle back to its
original position immediately after use.
AL 2005 Paper 1 Q8(b)
14 Wear safety glasses (Fig. 1.7d) and protective gloves whenever
Fig. 1.7d Wear safety glasses necessary.
whenever necessary
15 Always handle flammable chemicals with great care. Keep them
away from naked flames.

16 Always handle concentrated acids and alkalis with great care.

17 Report all accidents and breakages to your teacher. If a chemical

gets onto your skin or clothing, wash the affected area with plenty
of water.

test tube dangle reagent bottle safety glasses

6 acid alkali
 Checkpoint
1 a) • Should wear safety glasses when using a Bunsen burner. Unit 1 Introducing chemistry
• Should stopper the reagent bottles immediately after use.
• Should clean up any chemical spillage
immediately.
• Should not leave an experiment 18 Turn off the Bunsen burner when it is not in use.
(heating a liquid using a Bunsen
burner in this case) unattended. 19 Always wash your hands thoroughly after experiments.
• Should not eat in the laboratory.
b) • Should wear safety glasses when using a Bunsen burner.
• Should not point the mouth of the test tube towards anyone when heating.
• Should stopper the reagent bottle immediately after use.
• Alcohol is flammable. Should not put it near to a naked flame.

1 Study the following diagrams. Write down all aspects you consider UNSAFE in the laboratory.

a) b)

CE 2004 Paper 2 Q35

AL 1999 Paper 1 Q8(a)(ii)
2 Metal X reacts with water vigorously. Suppose a piece of X is on fire, suggest a method to put
out the fire. • Using sand to cover the burning metal X any one
• Spraying powder from a powder extinguisher onto the burning metal X

1.4 Hazard warning labels

Fig. 1.8 shows some common hazard warning labels. They are used
CE 2005 Paper 2 Q18
for labelling dangerous chemicals (Fig. 1.9).

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Fig. 1.8 Some common hazard warning labels Fig. 1.9 Hazard warning labels on
bottles of chemicals

Bunsen burner hazard warning label explosive

flammable toxic carcinogenic oxidizing corrosive 7
harmful irritant
 Topic 1 Planet Earth

3FGFSFODF
8FCTJUF Besides chemicals in the laboratory, some household products

Visit the following website to learn more such as bathroom cleanser, drain cleanser and chlorine bleach are
about the hazardous nature of chemicals
around the house: hazardous too (Fig. 1.10).
http://www.epa.gov/kidshometour/tour.htm

Fig. 1.10 Hazard warning labels shown on the bottle of a bathroom cleanser

Fig. 1.11 shows a toilet. Some of the items in the toilet are
hazardous. Can you identify them? Do you know how to handle
them safely?
window or glass cleanser

baby oil

insect sprays

air
freshener

chlorine bleach

toilet
cleanser

N1 Refer to page T3. Fig. 1.11 Can you identify the hazardous items in this toilet? N1

8
 Unit 1 Introducing chemistry

1.5 Common apparatus in the

laboratory
You will use many different pieces of apparatus when doing experiments.
It is necessary to learn their names. Figs. 1.12 – 1.21 show some
common apparatus you will use in the laboratory.

a c
a
c b
b b

Fig. 1.12 (a) Test tube Fig. 1.14 (a) Round-bottomed flask
(b) Test tube rack (b) Flat-bottomed flask
(c) Test tube holder

Fig. 1.13 (a) Beaker

(b) Wash bottle
(c) Glass rod a

b
a c a
d c

b
b

Fig. 1.15 (a) Stand and clamp Fig. 1.17 (a) Wire gauze
(b) Filter funnel (b) Tripod
(c) Measuring cylinder (c) Bunsen burner
c
(d) Reagent bottle (d) Fireproof mat
(e) Dropper
Fig. 1.16 (a) Weighing bottle
(b) Electronic balance
(c) Spatula

apparatus beaker filter funnel measuring cylinder

dropper weighing bottle wire gauze tripod 9
fireproof mat
 Topic 1 Planet Earth

a c

Fig. 1.18 (a) Pipe-clay triangle Fig. 1.19 Mortar and pestle
(b) Evaporating dish
(c) Crucible with lid
(d) Tongs

Fig. 1.20 Safety glasses Fig. 1.21 Triple beam balance

Microscale experiments are experiments carried out on a reduced

scale using small amounts of chemicals and simple apparatus.
N2 Refer to page T4. Fig. 1.22 shows some microscale apparatus you may use. N2
CE 2002 Paper 1 Q9(c)(iii)

6-well
reaction plate

plastic pipette 9-well

reaction strip

Fig. 1.22 Microscale apparatus

pipe-clay triangle evaporating dish crucible tongs

10 mortar and pestle
 Unit 1 Introducing chemistry

Complete the following activity to prepare yourself to work in

the school laboratory.

1.1
Introduction to practical work.
8PSLTIFFU
A worksheet on this activity is
available for download from Jing
Kung Chemistry Website.

A teacher plans to carry out two tasks as listed in the table below. Study the risk involved in each
case and suggest the safety precautions the teacher should take.

Choose your answers from the following list. You may choose more than one answer for each
task.

1 Wear safety glasses. 2 Wear protective gloves.

3 Carry out the task inside a fume 4 Ensure good ventilation in the laboratory.
cupboard.

Task Risk involved Safety precautions

1 Studying the reaction between a toxic gas is • Wear safety glasses.

concentrated sulphuric acid and produced • Wear protective gloves.
• Carry out the task inside a
copper fume cupboard.

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2 Dissolving sodium hydroxide pellets a large amount • Wear safety glasses.

in water to prepare concentrated of heat is • Wear protective gloves.
• Ensure good ventilation in
sodium hydroxide solution produced the laboratory.

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fume cupboard ventilation

11
 Topic 1 Planet Earth

1 Chemistry is the science which deals with the composition, structure, properties and reactions
of substances.

2 It is essential to obey the laboratory safety rules when working in the laboratory.

3 Hazard warning labels are used for labelling dangerous chemicals.

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12
 Unit 1 Introducing chemistry

Note: The symbol indicates the level of difficulty of a question.

Part I Knowledge and understanding

1 Give SIX ways in which chemistry is related to our daily lives.
Refer to page T5.

2 List FIVE substances in your home. Decide which of them occur naturally and which are man-made.
Any five household substances

3 The following chemicals (A to D) are labelled with different hazard warning labels. Suggest the dangerous
nature of each chemical.

A B C D

A — toxic and B — harmful C — oxidizing D — corrosive

flammable
4 Name the following apparatus.

a) b) c)

Test tube Evaporating dish Beaker

d) e) f)

Spatula Wire gauze

g) h)

Filter funnel Measuring cylinder Stand and clamp

i) j)

Bunsen burner Safety glasses

13
 Topic 1 Planet Earth

Part II Multiple choice questions

5 Which of the following apparatus is used to transfer solid chemicals?

A Dropper
B Mortar and pestle
C Spatula
D Wire gauze

6 Consider the set-up below.

Which of the following combinations is correct?

X Y
A Rack fireproof mat
B Tripod wire gauze
C Rack wire gauze
D Tripod fireproof mat

7 Which of the following actions is INCORRECT when working in the laboratory?

A Wear safety glasses when using a Bunsen burner.

B Return excess materials to the reagent bottle containing it.
C Report all accidents to the teacher.
D Turn off the Bunsen burner when not using it.

8 Which of the following hazard warning labels should be displayed on a bottle of alcohol?

A B

Alcohol is flammable.

C D

14
 Unit 1 Introducing chemistry

9 The diagram below shows a bottle of toilet bowl cleanser.

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Which of the following hazard warning labels should be displayed on the bottle of cleanser?

A B

C D

Part III Structured questions

10 Study the following diagrams. Write down all aspects you consider UNSAFE in the laboratory.
Refer to next page.

(a) (b)

15
 Topic 1 Planet Earth

11 a) This hazard warning symbol is shown on a cylinder of chlorine gas.

Suggest ONE safety precaution that should be taken when working with chlorine in the laboratory.
Explain your answer. Chlorine gas is toxic. b) i)
Carry out any activity involving chlorine inside a fume cupboard.
b) Concentrated sulphuric acid is corrosive.

i) Draw a hazard warning label that should be displayed on a bottle of concentrated sulphuric
acid.

ii) Suggest TWO safety precautions that should be taken when working with concentrated sulphuric
acid in the laboratory.
• Wear safety glasses and protective gloves when working with the acid.
• Never add water to concentrated sulphuric acid.
any two
• If concentrated sulphuric acid is spilt on the skin or clothes, wash it off
immediately with plenty of water.

10 a) • Should wear safety glasses when using a Bunsen burner.

• Should not allow the long hair to dangle.
• Should stopper the reagent bottle immediately after use.
• Alcohol is flammable. Should not put it near to a naked flame.
• Should not place the test tubes too near to the edge of the table. The tubes may fall down.
b) • Should stopper the reagent bottle immediately after use.
• Should clean up any chemical spillage immediately.
• Should not smell a gas directly. Wave the gas towards the nose.
• Should not block the road in the laboratory.
• Should not leave a Bunsen flame unattended. Turn off the Bunsen burner when it is not in use.

16