6 topics · 72 free flashcards
IB Chemistry flashcards
Free revision cards for students aged 16 to 19 taking the International Baccalaureate Diploma, sorted by topic, with a quick quiz on every page.
About IB Chemistry
IB Chemistry spans a wide range of concepts, from the behaviour of subatomic particles and the patterns of the periodic table to organic reaction mechanisms, chemical equilibrium, and energy changes in reactions. Students must be comfortable moving between qualitative reasoning and quantitative calculation, often within the same question. The course demands both precise factual recall and the ability to apply underlying principles to unfamiliar situations, which makes it one of the more demanding science options at this level.
Chemistry requires students to hold a large number of interconnected facts, definitions, and equations in memory while also understanding how they relate to one another. Flashcards support this through active recall, which forces the brain to retrieve information rather than passively re-read it, strengthening long-term retention. Spaced repetition ensures that difficult ideas such as equilibrium expressions or organic mechanisms are revisited just as they begin to fade, making study time far more efficient than simply rereading notes.
Flashcards by topic
12 cards · 3-question quiz
Stoichiometry and the mole
- · What is one mole of a substance?
- · What is Avogadro's constant and what is its value?
- · How do you calculate the number of moles from a given mass?
12 cards · 3-question quiz
Atomic structure
- · What is the atomic number of an element?
- · How is mass number defined and calculated?
- · What are isotopes?
12 cards · 3-question quiz
Periodicity and bonding
- · What happens to atomic radius across a period from left to right?
- · Why does atomic radius increase down a group?
- · Define first ionisation energy.
12 cards · 3-question quiz
Energetics
- · What is enthalpy change (delta H) and what sign indicates an exothermic reaction?
- · Define standard enthalpy change of formation.
- · Define standard enthalpy change of combustion.
12 cards · 3-question quiz
Kinetics and equilibrium
- · What is the definition of reaction rate?
- · State the basic requirements for a successful collision between reactant particles.
- · How does increasing temperature affect reaction rate, and why?
12 cards · 3-question quiz
Organic chemistry
- · What is a homologous series?
- · What is the general formula for alkanes?
- · What type of reaction do alkenes undergo with bromine water?
What you need to master
- Students must be able to perform mole calculations confidently, including working with limiting reagents, percentage yield, and solution concentrations.
- A thorough understanding of atomic structure, electron configuration, and periodic trends is essential for explaining bonding, reactivity, and physical properties.
- Students need to interpret and draw energy profiles, apply Hess's law, and use bond enthalpy data to calculate enthalpy changes.
- Kinetics and equilibrium require students to explain rate in terms of collision theory and to apply Le Chatelier's principle to predict the effect of changing conditions.
- In organic chemistry, students must recognise functional groups, name compounds systematically, and describe the mechanisms and conditions of key reaction types.
Make cards from your own notes
Your teacher's slides or your own notes cover exactly what your class needs. Paste them here and get a deck in seconds.
IB Chemistry revision questions
How do I remember all the organic chemistry reactions for IB Chemistry?
Organise reactions by functional group rather than trying to memorise them as a flat list. For each group, learn the reagents, conditions, and type of reaction together as a set. Drawing out reaction pathways and testing yourself by covering the conditions or products is far more effective than re-reading. Practising past questions on organic synthesis also forces you to recall reactions in context, which builds more durable memory.
Is IB Chemistry maths-heavy and do I need to be good at maths to do well?
A solid grasp of basic algebra and the ability to rearrange equations confidently is genuinely important, particularly for stoichiometry, energetics, and kinetics calculations. However, the mathematical demands are not as advanced as those in IB Physics or Mathematics. Students who struggle with calculation questions usually find that the issue is unfamiliarity with the method rather than the underlying maths, so practising worked examples repeatedly is the most effective remedy.
What is the best way to revise for IB Chemistry when there is so much content?
Start by mapping out every topic and honestly rating your confidence in each area so you can prioritise weaker sections. Use active recall methods such as flashcards and practice questions rather than passive re-reading. Work through past exam questions topic by topic before attempting full papers under timed conditions. Spreading revision across several weeks and returning to material regularly through spaced repetition is far more effective than cramming everything into the final few days.
How important are definitions in IB Chemistry and how should I learn them?
Definitions are genuinely important because exam questions frequently ask students to state or use them precisely. Vague or incomplete definitions lose marks even when the surrounding working is correct. Writing definitions out from memory and then checking them against your notes is a reliable method. Flashcards work particularly well here because you can test yourself on the exact wording of terms such as enthalpy of combustion, activation energy, or dynamic equilibrium until they become automatic.
Other courses
Written for general IB revision. Exam boards and schools differ, so check your own specification for exactly what you need to know. Lerno is not affiliated with any exam board.