Chemistry: reactions and bonding

Senior High 5 questions

What chemistry: reactions and bonding means

You learn how acids, bases, the mole and bonding work in simple chemical situations. This helps you understand laboratory tests, formulae and why substances behave differently in reactions.

What you will practise

Identify acids and bases from their reactions and test results
Use pH values to tell neutral, acidic and alkaline solutions apart
Work with the mole when counting particles and comparing masses
Recognise ionic and other common chemical bonds in compounds

Before you start

You should already be comfortable with simple chemical symbols, common elements and reading basic formulas. It also helps to know how to use a calculator for simple arithmetic.

Not confident yet? Work through Cell biology first.

Worked example

One question from this skill's own question bank, shown with its full working.

Question

The pH of a neutral solution is:

Answer: 7

Working: A neutral solution such as pure water has a pH of 7.

Common mistakes to avoid

Mixing up acids and bases; check litmus changes before answering.
Forgetting that neutral solutions have a pH of 7, not 0.
Thinking sodium chloride has covalent bonding; sodium and chlorine form ions.
Confusing mole calculations with mass only; always link moles, mass and formula.

Curriculum and exam alignment

Ghana GES SHS syllabusWASSCE

This topic normally appears within SHS chemistry when learners study acids, bases, mole concepts and bonding before deeper reaction work. It supports revision for WASSCE by strengthening the ideas behind test questions, equations and simple chemical reasoning.

Curriculum notes are a general guide to where this work normally sits. Always check the syllabus your school or examination body is currently using.