WACE Chemistry · Unit 4
WACE Chemistry Unit 4: Organic Chemistry — Flashcards & Quiz
WACE Chemistry ATAR Unit 4 Organic Chemistry covers the structure, naming, properties and reactions of carbon compounds from the SCSA Chemistry syllabus. These 20 free flashcards and 20 true/false quiz questions cover functional groups (alkenes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amines and amides), IUPAC nomenclature up to eight carbons, chain, position and cis-trans isomerism, addition reactions of alkenes, combustion and oxidation of alcohols with acidified MnO₄⁻ or Cr₂O₇²⁻, acid-base reactions of carboxylic acids, esterification and other condensation reactions, boiling point and solubility explained by intermolecular forces, empirical and molecular formulae, addition and condensation polymers, and α-amino acids, zwitterions, peptide bonds and the primary, secondary and tertiary structure of proteins. Aligned to the SCSA Chemistry ATAR Year 12 syllabus.
Inside the Revizi WACE Chemistry deck
Across the whole subject there are 1,713 flashcards spanning 25 topics, including 70 formula cards.
Describes how the cards in this deck are pitched — not a measure of how hard the subject is.
Key Terms
- Functional Group
- An atom, group of atoms or bond within a molecule that is responsible for its characteristic chemical properties, such as the hydroxyl group in alcohols or the carboxyl group in carboxylic acids.
- IUPAC Nomenclature
- The systematic naming convention for organic compounds based on the longest carbon chain containing the functional group, the positions of substituents and the functional group suffix.
- Structural Isomerism
- The existence of two or more compounds with the same molecular formula but different arrangements of atoms, including chain and position isomers.
- Addition Polymerisation
- A process where unsaturated monomers (alkenes) join together without loss of atoms, forming a long-chain polymer such as polyethene or polytetrafluoroethene.
- Condensation Polymerisation
- A process where monomers with two functional groups join together with the elimination of a small molecule (typically water), forming polyesters and polyamides.
- Homologous Series
- A family of organic compounds with the same functional group, similar chemical properties and a general formula, in which successive members differ by CH₂.
Sample Flashcards
Q1: What is a functional group and why is it important?
A functional group is an atom or group of atoms that determines the chemical properties of a compound. Molecules with the same functional group undergo similar reactions, allowing classification into homologous series.
Q2: Describe alkanes: structure, bonding, reactivity.
Saturated hydrocarbons, CₙH₂ₙ₊₂, with only C–C and C–H single bonds. Relatively unreactive; they form the hydrocarbon skeleton on which functional groups are found. All alkanes undergo combustion. They do not decolourise bromine water.
Q3: Describe alkenes and their typical reactions.
Unsaturated, CₙH₂ₙ, contain C=C. More reactive than alkanes. Reactions: addition (H₂, HX, X₂, H₂O), polymerisation. Test: decolourises bromine water.
Q4: Classify alcohols and describe their key reactions.
Contain −OH. Primary (1°), secondary (2°), tertiary (3°). Reactions: complete combustion (all alcohols), oxidation with acidified MnO₄⁻ or Cr₂O₇²⁻ (1° → aldehyde → carboxylic acid; 2° → ketone; 3° resists), and esterification with carboxylic acids.
Q5: Compare aldehydes and ketones, and explain how an oxidation reaction can distinguish them.
Both contain the carbonyl group (C=O). In aldehydes the carbonyl is at the end of the chain (−CHO); in ketones it is within the chain, bonded to two carbon atoms. Aldehydes are easily oxidised to carboxylic acids by acidified Cr₂O₇²⁻ (orange → green) or MnO₄⁻ (purple → colourless); ketones are not oxidised by these reagents, so there is no colour change.
Q6: Describe carboxylic acids.
Contain −COOH. Weak acids. Reactions: neutralisation, esterification, carbonate test (CO₂ fizz). High bp from H-bonding.
Q7: How are esters formed?
Condensation: RCOOH + R'OH ⇌ RCOOR' + H₂O (H⁺ catalyst). Sweet/fruity smells. Hydrolysed by acid or base (saponification).
Q8: Describe amines.
N bonded to C groups. Primary: R−NH₂. Brønsted-Lowry bases (N lone pair accepts H⁺). Form salts with acids.
Sample Quiz Questions
Q1: A functional group determines the chemical properties of an organic compound.
Answer: TRUE
The functional group is the reactive part of the molecule.
Q2: Alkanes are unsaturated hydrocarbons.
Answer: FALSE
Alkanes are SATURATED (single bonds only).
Q3: Bromine water tests for C=C double bonds.
Answer: TRUE
Bromine water decolourises via addition across C=C.
Q4: Tertiary alcohols are easily oxidised by K₂Cr₂O₇.
Answer: FALSE
Tertiary alcohols RESIST oxidation.
Q5: A compound with the empirical formula CH₂O and a molar mass of 60 g mol⁻¹ has the molecular formula C₃H₆O₃.
Answer: FALSE
The empirical formula mass of CH₂O is 30 g mol⁻¹. 60 ÷ 30 = 2, so the molecular formula is C₂H₄O₂ (e.g. ethanoic acid).
Why It Matters
Organic chemistry introduces you to the vast world of carbon-based compounds that form the basis of pharmaceuticals, plastics, fuels and biological molecules such as proteins. In WACE Chemistry you need to name compounds systematically, identify functional groups, predict the products of addition, oxidation, acid-base and condensation reactions, and explain physical properties using intermolecular forces. It is easiest when you build a strong mental framework for classifying compounds and their characteristic reactions. Because organic chemistry involves pattern recognition across homologous series, understanding the underlying logic is more effective than memorising individual reactions. The same ideas underpin Chemical synthesis later in Unit 4, where you combine reactions into sequences such as ethene → ethanol → ethyl ethanoate.
Key Concepts
Functional Groups and Nomenclature
IUPAC naming follows systematic rules based on the longest carbon chain (up to eight carbons) containing the functional group. Master the naming of alkenes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amines and amides, and recognise functional groups in condensed and full structural formulae.
Organic Reactions and Pathways
Key reactions include addition reactions of alkenes, combustion and oxidation of alcohols, acid-base reactions of carboxylic acids, and condensation reactions such as esterification. Learn which functional groups undergo which reactions, the observations for each, and how these reactions can identify the functional group present.
Isomerism
Isomers have the same molecular formula but different structures. Study chain and position structural isomerism and cis-trans isomerism around C=C, and explain how different isomers have different physical properties, such as boiling point, because of differences in intermolecular forces.
Polymers and Macromolecules
Addition polymers form from unsaturated monomers, while condensation polymers release small molecules during formation. Study examples like polyethylene, PVC, nylon, and polyesters. Understand the relationship between monomer structure and polymer properties, and consider environmental implications of synthetic polymer use.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Numbering the carbon chain from the wrong end when applying IUPAC nomenclature — number from the end that gives the functional group, then substituents, the lowest locants.
- Confusing addition and condensation reactions — addition reactions occur across the C=C of alkenes with no by-product, while condensation reactions join two molecules with the loss of a small molecule such as water.
- Drawing polymer structures without showing the continuation bonds at each end of the repeating unit — include the brackets, subscript n and extending bonds to show the chain continues.
- Treating all isomers as having identical physical properties — different structural arrangements (especially branching) change boiling points and solubility through changes in intermolecular forces.
Study Tips
- Build a functional group reference chart with name, structure, suffix/prefix, and characteristic reactions — this single page will be your most valuable revision tool.
- Use flashcards with spaced repetition to drill IUPAC naming in both directions: name to structure and structure to name.
- Practise drawing reaction pathway diagrams that connect functional groups through specific reactions, including the reagents and observations for each step.
- Work through naming exercises with branched chains (parent chains up to eight carbons) and each of the eight functional groups.
- When studying polymers, always draw the monomer next to a section of the polymer chain to reinforce the structural relationship between them.
- Before your exam, work through the practice questions in this set at least twice using spaced repetition. Testing yourself repeatedly is the most effective revision strategy for long-term retention.
Related Topics
Exam Prep & Study Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this topic cover?
Functional groups, IUPAC naming, isomerism, the characteristic reactions of alkenes, alcohols and carboxylic acids, esterification, physical properties and intermolecular forces, empirical and molecular formulae, addition and condensation polymers, and α-amino acids and protein structure.
How many flashcards?
20 flashcards and 20 quiz questions aligned to SCSA.
SCSA aligned?
Yes. The cards follow the Properties and structure of organic materials content of the SCSA Chemistry ATAR Year 12 syllabus, Unit 4.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · 20 sample flashcards · 20 sample quiz questions · Content aligned to the SCSA Curriculum