H2 Chemistry Notes: CORE IDEA 1, Topic 1 - Atomic Structure

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10 Feb 2025, 00:00 Z

Q: What does H2 Chemistry Notes: CORE IDEA 1, Topic 1 - Atomic Structure cover?
A: Review quantum numbers, electron configurations, ionisation trends, and spectroscopy evidence for the Core Idea 1 Atomic Structure topic in the 2026 H2 Chemistry syllabus.

Atomic structure underpins every other area of H2 Chemistry. You need to know how quantum numbers define electron positions, how orbitals fill, and how evidence from spectroscopy backs the quantum model. These notes focus on the ideas that repeatedly appear in structured and data-based questions.

Status: SEAB H2 Chemistry (9729, first exam 2026) syllabus last checked 2025-11-29 (PDF last modified 2024-07-17). Core Idea 1: Atomic Structure content and assessment emphasis remain unchanged; Paper 1 still runs 30 MCQs in 1 hour (15 % of grade).

1 Quantum Numbers at a Glance

Symbol	Name	Typical values	What it tells you
$n$	Principal quantum number	$1, 2, 3, ...$

H2 Chemistry Notes: CORE IDEA 1, Topic 1 - Atomic Structure

1 Quantum Numbers at a Glance

Key reminders

2 Electron Configurations

3 Ionisation Energy Trends

3.1 Successive ionisation energies

3.2 Factors affecting first ionisation energy

3.3 Evidence from photoelectron spectroscopy (PES)

4 Worked Example

5 Exam Skills Check

6 Misconceptions to Fix

7 Quick Practice Prompts

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