YInMn blue
Colour is an important aspect of chemistry and integrates well with the Group 6 subject Visual Arts. In the 1980s ‘Colour Chemistry’ used to be one of the Options on the now defunct SL Applied Chemistry...
An IB Chemistry question I cannot answer
There has been considerable controversy in the UK recently about the SAT tests in English given to all 10-11 year olds. This was compounded when the tests were leaked before they were due to be taken...
Time Zone Zero (TZ0)
Astute observers will have noticed that the IB Chemistry Diploma exams were labelled TZ0 this year. From the very first IB Diploma exams back in the early 1970's until 2007 there was always just one set...
Significant digits in context
A teacher has asked about a possible problem following an IB question that appeared on a past paper where a volume of 500 cm3 is quoted. The question asked by the teacher is; “Does a volume of 500 cm3...
Index of Hydrogen Deficiency (IHD)
The Index of Hydrogen Deficiency applies to organic compounds and is part of sub-topic 11.3 Spectroscopic identification of organic compounds in the IB programme. Most books and websites that deal with...
Strike a light
Those who have been teaching IB Chemistry for some years now may remember the cover of the first edition of my Study Guide published by OUP. It showed a burning match. Recently the American Chemical...
New frequently asked questions
© IBO The IB has published a new version of Frequently Asked Questions. This is dated January 2016 and can be downloaded from the OCC. Although it may be too late to alter your students' work as most...
Uploading the IA eCoursework
It will soon be time for teachers to submit their predicted grades and IA marks to the IB. They will then be told which students' investigations need to be uploaded for moderation. There has been considerable...
Elements of Chemistry
Imagine teaching or studying chemistry knowing nothing about the periodic table, sub-atomic particles, ionic dissociation, equilibrium, etc. and where the formula for water is H.O. I’ve just been given...
New elements
The discovery of elements with atomic numbers 113,115,117 and 118 has now been confirmed officially by the Joint Working Party for the Discovery of New Elements (JWP) of IUPAC (International Union of...