national 5 chemistry assignment

National 5 Chemistry Resources

Materials for the study of N5 SQA Chemistry courses.

N5 Self-Evaluation

Sqa past papers - n5, sqa past papers - int 2, sqa past papers - standard grade (credit), sqa past papers - standard grade (general), n5 exercises.

Teaching Resources

Featured resources.

• All Past Papers - By Years

• Work In Progress
• Chemistry Video Library

• New S3 Chemistry Course
• Equation Writing Videos

• New National 5 Course
• Hydrogels Assignment
• Bioethanol Assignment
• Bonding Structures

• MYP4 Science Topics

• CfE New Higher Chemistry
• Revised Higher Chemistry
• All Higher Past Papers
• FlashCard Revision App

• CfE Advanced Higher Chemistry
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• Original Advanced Higher Chemistry
• Advanced Higher Videos - Practical & Unit 1
• Advanced Higher - Past Papers
• New Advanced Higher Lessons

• AP Chemistry Log In
• AP Chemistry App
• Unit 1 - Atomic Structure
• Unit 2 - Molecular & Ionic
• Unit 3 - Intermolecular
• Unit 4 - Reactions
• Unit 5 - Kinetics
• Unit 6 - Thermochemistry
• Unit 7 - Equilibrium
• Unit 8 - Acids & Bases
• Unit 9 - Thermodynamics

• N5 App Lessons
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• FlashCard Revision App 1

Regular Users

Demo Version of AP Chemistry App

It is now possible to open a Demo version of my AP Chemistry Quiz & Cards App. You need to be using an iPhone or iPad iOS 14.0 or above. If on a Desktop,simply point the camera of your device at the AppClip code to start. If browsing on your phone, press and hold on the Code and you will be given option to Open Demo. The Demo version is limited to 10 Mb, so restricted to only one Lesson of Notes, 5 Cards and about 10 MC Questions. It automatically deletes from your device after a period of inactivity. There will be the option to download full version of the App offered.

N5 Chemistry

This page will be where I will post any materials I've created for, or used in, the teaching of my National 5 class. Links within the Blog will generally be to 'Preview Galleries' which will allow you to view written resources to see if you are interested. Downloadable versions, along with other resources and links will appear in the sidebar.

N5 Chemistry Final Update

Having retired from KHS in 2018 and on the point of completing ny final teaching job in July 2021, there seemed no point in retaining the old Blog entries. I will leave these resources 'mothballed' for the forseeable future and will try and remove any 'dead' links.

N5 Chemistry Update 1

These are the Notes we are using in KHS to prepare our S4 pupils for Higher next year after a 'wasted' '1 period a week' S3 experience. We are treating this as a 100% N5 class. Next year, we will probably attempt to cater for N4 pupils.

New App Launched Jan 2022

Download From App Store

• N5KeyAreas (pdf)
• KeyAreas_A5Booklet(pdf)
• N5KeyAreas (xlsx)
• N5 Data Book
• Nat 5 Chemistry Grid
• Nat 5 Sciences Grid
• N5 PPQ's Unit 1
• N5 PPQ's Unit 2
• N5 PPQ's Unit 3

Unit 1 - Changes & Structure

• 2017 Topic 1 Notes
• 2017 Topic 1 Notes Completed
• 2017 Topic 1 Answers
• Mass Spectrometer
• 2017 Topic 2 Notes
• 2017 Topic 2 Notes Completed
• Unit 1.3 Notes (pdf)
• Unit 1.3 Notes Completed (pdf)
• Structure & Bonding Videos
• Formula Notes Book1 (pdf)
• Formula Notes Book 2 (pdf)
• Calculations Book 1 (pdf)
• Calc. Book 1 A5 Booklet (pdf)
• Calculations Book 2
• Unit 1.4 Notes (pdf)
• Unit 1.4 Notes Completed
• Unit 1.4 Outcome 1 (pdf)
• Outcome 1 Mark Scheme (pdf)
• Outcome 1 PupilPlan (doc)
• ChemistryRAP(pdf)
• Unit 1 Key Areas (pdf)
• Unit 1(Plus) Key Areas (pdf)

Unit 2 - Nature's Chemistry

• Nature's Chemistry Media
• S3 Topic Notes (pdf)
• S3 Topic - Completed (pdf)
• S3 Topic Videos etc
• Alkane Isomers
• Unit 2.5 Notes (pdf)
• Unit 2.5 Completed (pdf)
• Unit 2.6 Notes (pdf)
• Unit 2.6 Completed (pdf)

Unit 3 - Chemistry In Society

• Chemistry Society Media
• Unit 3.7 Notes (pdf)
• Unit 3.7 Completed (pdf)
• Unit 3.8 Notes (pdf)
• Unit 3.8 Completed (pdf)

I'm posting the Assessments that I'm using but password protected. Any teacher wishing to view the tests should e-mail me, ideally using a verifiable school e-mail address.

• N5 Unit1 Topic1 Test (pdf)
• 2017 N5 Topic1 Test (pdf)
• N5 Unit1 Topic2 Test (pdf)
• N5 Unit1 Topic3 Test (pdf)
• N5_Unit1_Topic4_Test.pdf

To be Decided

National 5 Chemistry (Course Code: C813 75)

Scqf level 5 (24 scqf credit points).

Why study Chemistry?

Chemistry is vital to everyday life and allows us to understand and shape the world in which we live. You will learn about the applications of chemistry in everyday contexts such as medicine, energy and industry, as well as its impact on the environment and sustainability. You will learn how to think creatively and independently, and analyse and solve problems.

Career Pathways

To see what career areas this subject could lead to and the routes to get there, download and view these career pathways:

• Animals, Land and Environment
• Engineering
• Health and Medicine
• Manufacturing Industries

Science and Maths

• Uniformed and Security Services

What do I need to get in?

Entry is at the discretion of the school or college but you would normally have achieved one of the following:

• National 4 Biology
• National 4 Chemistry
• National 4 Environmental Science
• National 4 Physics
• National 4 Science

What will I study?

You will learn about how we use the Earth’s resources, the chemistry of everyday products and environmental analysis. You will find out how chemistry affects our environment and our everyday lives. This will help you to make your own decisions on contemporary issues where scientific knowledge is constantly developing.

The course comprises  three areas of study.

Chemical changes and structure

You will learn about:

• rates of reaction
• atomic structure and bonding related to properties of materials
• formulae and reacting quantities
• acids and bases.

Nature’s chemistry

• the homologous series
• everyday consumer products
• energy from fuels.

Chemistry in society

• nuclear chemistry
• chemical analysis.

How will I be assessed?

The course assessment consists of two components totalling 120 marks :

• Component 1: question paper – worth 100 marks 
• Component 2: assignment – worth 20 marks.

For the assignment component, you will be asked to investigate a relevant topic in Chemistry, focusing on its application and its impact on society/the environment, and produce a report on your findings.

Both the assignment and question components will be set and externally marked by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

The grade awarded is based on the total marks achieved across all course assessment components.

The course assessment is graded A-D.  

Study Materials

• SQA Past Papers Chemistry National 5
• SQA Specimen Paper Chemistry National 5
• SQA Understanding Standards Chemistry
• BBC Bitesize National 5 Chemistry

What can I go on to next?

If you complete the course successfully, it may lead to:

• Higher Chemistry
• Higher Environmental Science

Further study, training or employment in:

• Science and Mathematics

Which jobs are related to this subject?

• Chemistry - Related Careers

Where can my parents find out more?

Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.

They can also read the information leaflet(s):

Nationals in a Nutshell - Chemistry (National 5)

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Chemistry – National 5

Photo by C Lloyd at SSERC (Public Domain)

Welcome to the National 5 chemistry page.

We have made a start uploading resources for experimental work that could help to support teaching of the course.

The resources are accessed from the section pages which you can get to from the links below.

Alternatively you can use the search facility or you can find a list of all the resources  here .

Chemical Change and Structure

Nature's chemistry, chemistry in society, int 1&2 ppas.

The key areas covered in this section are:

a. rates of reaction

Colourless orange or blue (Demo) – a demo version of the Briggs-rauscher reaction as used in the antioxidants workshop .

Cool experiment (Demo) – endothermic reaction between barium hydroxide and ammonium thiocyanate.

Light sticks (Demo) – Effect of temperature on luminosity of glow-sticks (this can also be done as a class experiment)

Pyrophoric Iron – nanoparticles of iron are generated and when poured from a height they spontaneously catch fire in the air leading to a shower of tiny sparks.

Rhubarb, Rhubarb – Using rhubarb to decolourise permanganate in order to follow the rate of reaction, looking at concentration and surface area (and possibly temperature)

Antioxidants   – This is a range of investigations based around the Briggs-Rauscher oscillating reaction to look at antioxidant levels in fruits and teas (though the method can be adapted for any source of antioxidants).

Bleaching Blue Food Dye – Reaction to determine rate constant and order of reaction from the bleaching of blue food colouring by domestic bleach. (Workshop is aimed at Advance Higher but without the mathematics it can easily be adapted to this level).

Thiosulphate acid reaction – microscale  – A small scale version of the classic investigation into rates of reaction. Use of small scale and a neutralising bath reduces the production of toxic SO2

An autocatalytic reaction – A few drops of acid initiate a reaction which proceeds down a measuring cylinder changing colour as it goes – catalysed by its own products.

Catalyst at Work – A demonstration of a temporary activated complex of cobalt as it acts as a catalyst.

b. atomic structure and bonding related to properties of materials 

(i) Periodic Table and atoms

(ii)Covalent bonding

Microscale Hoffman voltameter – Using a microscale Hoffman voltameter, made using syringes, to electrolyse water and then ignite bubbles of mixtures of hydrogen and oxygen. 

Microscale Conductivity – Using a DIY conductivity meter to investigates conductivity of solutions. 

(iii) Ionic bonding

Aluminium – Iodine reaction – (d) Solid iodine and aluminium powders are mixed and a few drops of hot water added. This initiates a reaction to form aluminium iodide, producing clouds of purple iodine vapour in the process. 

Microscale Electrolysis of lead bromide – A microscale version of the classic experiment to show that a molten ionic solid will conduct electricity. The small scale means it can be done in the open lab. 

Microscale Iron-sulphur –   A small-scale reaction of iron and sulphur followed by investigation of the sulphide. The small scale approach means it does not need to be carried out in a fume cupboard.

Sodium burning in Chlorine and Oxygen – Guidance on a demonstration of how (relatively) hard it can be to set fire to sodium, followed by its vigorous reaction with chlorine.

c. formulae and reaction quantities 

(i) Chemical formulae

Formula of magnesium oxide – microscale  – a small scale version of this classic reaction to determine the formula of magnesium oxide.

Water in a hydrated salt – microscale  – a small-scale experiment to determine the stoichiometric amount of water in some hydrated salts.

 (ii) Calculations involving the mole and balanced equations

(iii) percentage composition

d. acids and bases

Dry ice in indicator solution – Dry ice is dropped into a flask of universal indicator. Clouds of dense ‘smoke’ come off and the indicator changes colour. 

Colourful flowers (Demo) – Make paper ‘flowers’ soaked in different buffer solutions. Then spray indicator on and you get different colour flowers.

(ii) neutralisation reactions

Rainbow reaction   – Form a rainbow of colours to illustrate the pH scale with HCl and sodium carbonate in a measuring cylinder or a test tube.

Indicators – microscale  – A look at pH and indicators and how to make universal indicator

Neutralisation Circles – A simple, colourful  experiment to show how pH varies across a gradient between acid and alkali.

Conductivity – Activity using a (home made) conductivity flask to follow neutralisation reactions.

Conductivity – microscale  – a microscale investigation into the conductivity of solutions.

Titration – microscale  – a microscale version of a titration that does not require burettes. This particular experiment is investigating the acidity of vinegars.

Vinegar Cheats  – a larger scale investigation into the possible watering down of vinegar in the school canteen.

(iii) Neutralisation reactions can be used to prepare soluble salts

The key areas covered in this  section are:

a. homologous series

(i) systematic carbon chemistry

(ii) alkanes

Microscale Cracking – The small-scale cracking of paraffin oil to produce a mixture of smaller alkanes. 

(iii) cycloalkanes

(iv) alkenes

Dehydrating alcohols – A very similar reaction to the cracking one above but this time alcohols are dehydrated (using the same method) to give alkenes

b. everyday consumer products

(i) alcohols

Biodiesel:  A workshop based around the production and testing of Biodiesel (fatty acid ethy esters) from vegetable oil

Determination of alcohol content –  The method discribed, using density, is actually one used in the Alcohol exemplar for the Researching Chemistry section of the New Higher. Follow the link for details.

Ethanol Rocket  – Similar to the whoosh bottle. A 2l drinks bottle is propelled across a room along a wire. The method allows calculations to be done relating to the energy changes.

Whoosh bottle (Demo) – Ignition of alcohol vapour in a 15l water bottle to produce a spectacular ‘whoosh’.

Non-Burning £5 Note – A demonstration of temperature and burning. NB Do not try this with new polymer notes!

(ii) Carboxylic acids

Vinegar Cheats  – an investigation into the possible watering-down of vinegar in the school canteen.

Titration – microscale  – A microscale experiment, similar to the above, looking at the concentration of acid in different vinegars.

c. energy from fuels 

Dynamite soap (Demo) – Exploding hydrogen/oxygen bubbles generated by the elextrolysis of water.

Piezo rockets (Demo) – making and firing mini pipette rockets for hydrogen (or perhaps another flammable gas).

Biodiesel – A workshop based around the production and testing of Biodiesel (fatty acid ethy esters) from vegetable oil. Including energy values.

Non-Burning £5 Note – A demonstration of temperature and burning. NB Do not try this with a modern, polymer note!

When a Fossil Fuel is Burned – classic demonstration of the products of burning fossil fuels

(i) metallic bonding

(ii) Reactions of metals… with oxygen

Microscale Formula of magnesium oxide – Using a bottle-top crucible to carry out the oxidation of magnesium ribbon and re-weighing to determine the formula. 

Pyrophoric Iron – a demonstration where nanoparticles of iron are generated and when poured from a height they spontaneously catch fire in the air leading to a shower of tiny sparks.

Real reactivity of aluminium – a demonstration where mercury II chloride solution is used to remove the oxide coating from aluminium foil allowing it to react spontaneously with the air.

Sodium burning in Chlorine and Oxygen – Guidance on a demonstration of how (relatively) hard it can be to set fire to sodium, followed by it’s vigorous reaction with chlorine.

Salt and Battery – Use of fruit juices and different metal electrodes to investigate electrochemical cells.

… with water

Sodium (and other alkali metals) in water – Guidance on the safe way to carry out this classic chemistry demonstration.

… in the reactivity series.

Copper Etching – Activity using the displacement reaction between copper sulphate solution and zinc plate to etch a design. 

Northern Lights – Demonstration showing the reactivity of aluminium: with acid and displacement with copper II chloride. 

Thermit –  A spectacular displacement reaction that produces molten iron – this version can be done in the classroom.

(iii) redox

(iv) extraction of metals

Rocks to Riches – Extraction of copper from ‘ore’ by leaching and electrowinning and analysis of copper content.

Electrolysis of lead bromide –  A microscale version of the classic experiment to show that a molten ionic solid will conduct electricity. The small scale means it can be done in the open lab. 

(v) electrochemical cells

Microscale Electrode potentials – A small-scale, convenient method of investigation electrode potentials of metal pairs using overlapping strips of filter paper. 

b. plastics 

(i) Addition polymerisation

Gloopy and gooey (Demo) – two experiments: Gaviscon in copper sulphate and PVA/Borax, both cross-linking polymers cross-linking polymers

Plastic Fantastic – Synthesis and testing of an electrically conductive plastic – polypyrrole

Latex cross-linking  – Some simple reactions involving the cross-linking of latex solution to form rubber balls, rubber bands and foam rubber.

ii) Representation of the structure of monomers and polymers

c. fertilisers

(i) Commercial production of fertilisers

Ammonia fountain – Demonstration where a flask full of ammonia gas has a jet through a bung, the other end is submerged in water with aqn indicator. the introduction of a small amount of water lets some ammonia dissolve in it, reducing the pressure and producing a fountain as the water drawn into the flask.

(ii) Haber and Ostwald processes

d. Nuclear chemistry

(i) Radiation

(ii) Nuclear equations

(iii) Half-life

(iv) Use of radioactive isotopes

e. chemical analysis —learners are expected to be familiar with certain equipment and procedures.

(i) Common chemical apparatus

ii) General practical techniques

iii) Analytical methods

Instructions on how to use different apparatus and carry out various chemical procedures can be found here Chemistry Skills .

Some specific activities mentioned in the course can be found below.

Flame Colours – Some different methods of getting good colours for flame tests.

Water analysis   – a series of different experiments for the analysis of various ions in water.

Diffusing precipitates –  Some simple, drop-scale experiments looking at the formation of precipitates as ions diffuse.

Microscale Titration – A microscale version of a titration using a pasteur pipettes as a burette. The reaction can be followed either by counting the drops or by monitoring the change of mass on a balance. 

Vinegar Cheats – Using a simple titration (with pipettes) to find out which samples of vinager have been watered down. 

Vitamin C in Vegetables – Activity to determine the concentration of Vitamin C in fruit and vegetables by titration against DCPIP. 

Conductivity – Activity using a (home made) conductivity flask to follow neutralisation reactions.

Drop electrolysis – A series of micro-scale investigations into the electrolysis of different solutions.

(iv) Reporting experimental work

Here you will find all the old Prescribed Practical Activities (PPAs) for Intermediate 1 and 2. They have all been updated with new layouts and with brand new risk assessments for each one.

Intermediate 1

Int 1 PPA1-1 – Effect of Temperature Changes on Dissolving Speed

Int 1 PPA1-2 – Effect of Concentration Changes on Reaction Speed

Int 1 PPA1-3 – Testing the pH of Solutions

Int 1 PPA2-1 – Electrical Conductivity

Int 1 PPA2-2 – Reactions of Metals with Acid

Int 1 PPA2-3 – Factors which affect Lathering

Int 1 PPA3-1 – Solubility

Int 1 PPA3-2 – Burning Carbohydrates

Int 1 PPA3-3 – Testing for Starch and Sugars in Food

Intermediate 2

Int 2 PPA1-1 – Effect of Concentration on Reaction Rate

Int 2 PPA1-2 – Effect of Temperature on Reaction Rate

Int 2 PPA1-3 – Electrolysis

Int 2 PPA2-1 – Testing for Unsaturation

Int 2 PPA2-2 – Cracking

Int 2 PPA2-3 – Hydrolysis of Starch

Int 2 PPA3-1 – Preparation of a Salt

Int 2 PPA3-2 – Factors Affecting Voltage

Int 2 PPA3-3 – Reactions of Metals with Oxygen

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National 5 Chemistry

The National 5 Chemistry course enables learners to develop and apply knowledge and understanding of chemistry. Learners also develop an understanding of chemistry’s role in scientific issues and relevant applications of chemistry, including the impact these could make in society and the environment.

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