Ions REVISION

This short revision lesson (@10-15 minutes) supports students to understand and explain why ions have a charge. The lesson has been primarily designed for use with those students taking the AQA Combined Science FT in the lead up to mock and GCSE examinations, but is also suitable for students taking the HT, or separate chemistry.

In my experience, the meaning of an ion is poorly understood, and they are often mistaken for isotopes, so the lesson begins with a reminder of the difference. Students will be challenged to explain that the equal number of protons and electrons in atoms leads to their neutral charge, and this leads into the reminder that ions do not have equal numbers. Students will be able to explain why some ions are positively charged and others negatively charged, and understanding checks will allow them to check that they can identify and write the symbol for specific ions. The key points associated with the topic have also been displayed on a resource which can be kept with the understanding checks for use in the final days and hours before the exam.

If you like the format of this short revision lesson, then there are many others uploaded, covering topics including pure metals vs alloys, mitosis vs meiosis and units.