Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) Flashcards
491 free flashcards covering every syllabus topic of Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) — 116 key definitions, 200 core concepts, and 2 examiner-flagged study tips across 44 topics. Each card uses a built-in spaced-repetition algorithm to schedule your reviews automatically.
Why flashcards work for IGCSE Chemistry
Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 demands fluency with definitions (ion, isotope, mole), formula manipulation (mass = moles × molar mass), and group-property predictions across the periodic table.
Chemistry mark schemes are unforgiving about precision: a definition of "isotope" missing the word "neutrons" loses the mark. Flashcards drill these high-yield definitions and let you check yourself before sitting Paper 2 multiple-choice or Paper 4 structured questions.
Top mark-loser this 0620 deck targets: forgetting state symbols (s), (l), (g), (aq) in chemical equations — a common 1-mark loss across all extended-tier candidates.
How spaced repetition keeps this deck out of your blind spots
Every card uses an SM-2 spaced-repetition schedule (the same algorithm Anki uses). After flipping a card you rate your recall — and the algorithm reschedules each card individually, so your study time concentrates on what you actually struggle with rather than what you already know. After about three successful Easy reviews and a 21-day-or-longer interval, a card is tagged mastered. Progress lives in your browser only — no account, no signup, no data sent anywhere.
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Unit 1: States of matter
Kinetic particle theory, diffusion, and the transitions between solid, liquid, and gas states. Foundational vocabulary that appears in nearly every paper — diffusion, evaporation, sublimation, deposition. Examiners want precise particle-model language ("particles in a liquid vibrate and slide past each other"), not loose paraphrases ("particles wiggle around"), and 1-mark losses here are very common.
Unit 2: Atoms, elements and compounds
Atomic structure (protons, neutrons, electrons), isotopes, the periodic-table foundations, and ionic, covalent, and metallic bonding. Drawing dot-and-cross diagrams for ionic and simple covalent compounds is heavily tested — examiners want outer-shell-only electrons clearly distinguished by dot vs cross, plus square brackets around ions with charge labelled. Missing the brackets on an ion typically costs the mark.
Unit 3: Stoichiometry
The mole concept, balancing equations, percentage yield, percentage purity, and titration calculations. This is the arithmetic spine of IGCSE Chemistry — at least 8-12 marks on every Paper 4. The classic 6-mark calculation chains mass → moles → moles of product → mass of product → percentage yield, with one mark per step; partial credit is generous if you show each substitution clearly.
Unit 4: Electrochemistry
Electrolysis of molten and aqueous solutions, electrode half-equations, and the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell. Predicting products at each electrode is the hot spot — examiners want the ionic half-equation (e.g. 2H⁺ + 2e⁻ → H₂) and the correct product even when concentrated solutions change which ion is discharged. Forgetting that concentrated chloride gives Cl₂ instead of O₂ at the anode is a recurring 2-mark loser.
Unit 5: Chemical energetics
Exothermic vs endothermic reactions, energy-level diagrams, and bond-energy calculations. Bond-energy questions follow a tight pattern — sum the bonds broken (reactants, endothermic, positive) minus the bonds formed (products, exothermic, negative) — and the sign convention costs candidates marks every session. Energy-level diagrams need clearly labelled axes, activation energy, and ΔH.
Unit 6: Chemical reactions
Physical vs chemical change, rates of reaction, reversible reactions, dynamic equilibrium, redox, and oxidation states. Rate-of-reaction graphs are heavily tested — examiners ask candidates to compare gradients and explain the effect of temperature, concentration, surface area, and catalysts using collision-theory language ("more frequent collisions with sufficient energy"). Equilibrium questions apply Le Chatelier's principle; predicting the shift requires precise wording about the change in conditions.
Unit 7: Acids, bases and salts
Properties of acids and bases, indicators, pH scale, neutralisation, and the preparation of soluble and insoluble salts. The two preparation routes — titration for soluble salts of alkali metals, precipitation for insoluble salts — are textbook 6-mark Paper 4 questions; examiners want full step-by-step methods including filtering and evaporating to crystallise. Naming salts and writing formulae loses marks if state symbols are missing.
Unit 8: The Periodic Table
Trends in Group I (alkali metals), Group VII (halogens), across Period 3, the transition elements, and noble gases. Group I and VII trends are reliably worth 4-6 marks per Paper 4 — explanations need both observation ("more vigorous reaction with water") and reasoning ("outer electron is further from the nucleus, so more easily lost"). Vague phrases like "more reactive" without mechanism do not earn the mark.
Unit 9: Metals
Reactivity series, displacement reactions, extraction of iron from haematite in the blast furnace, extraction of aluminium by electrolysis, alloys, and corrosion of iron. The blast-furnace question is a perennial — examiners want all three reduction equations (C + O₂, C + CO₂, Fe₂O₃ + CO) plus the role of limestone in removing SiO₂ as slag. Confusing extraction methods between iron and aluminium is a frequent 4-mark loss.
Unit 10: Chemistry of the environment
Pollution, the carbon cycle, water treatment, the composition of air (78% N₂, 21% O₂), and the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse-gas questions need both identification (CO₂, CH₄, H₂O vapour) and the mechanism (absorbs infrared radiation, re-emits, traps heat in the lower atmosphere). "Warms the Earth" without mechanism is a common 1-mark loser.
Unit 11: Organic chemistry
Alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, and addition vs condensation polymers. A favourite source of Paper 4 6-mark questions — typical asks include "describe the test for an alkene" (bromine water decolourises from orange/brown to colourless) or drawing the repeating unit of a polymer from a given monomer. Drawing the polymer repeating unit with square brackets and "n" outside is heavily marked.
Unit 12: Experimental techniques and chemical analysis
Pure substances vs mixtures, paper chromatography (including Rf calculations), identification of ions and gases, and other qualitative analysis techniques. Ion tests are pure recall — flame tests for cations (lithium red, sodium yellow, potassium lilac, calcium orange-red, copper blue-green) and precipitation tests for anions need precise colour wording. Examiners deduct marks for "blue" when the mark scheme demands "blue-green".
Pair flashcards with notes and papers
Flashcards are a recall tool, not a complete study system. Use them alongside these free resources for IGCSE 0620.
Past papers
Question papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports for 0620 sessions.
Revision notes
Topic-by-topic explanations mapped to the 0620 syllabus — read after flashcard recall fails.
Practice quizzes
MCQ practice from past papers, organised by topic. Test recall in exam format.
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Other Cambridge IGCSE flashcard decks
Browse flashcards for the other IGCSE subjects we cover. Each deck is built to the same Cambridge syllabus structure.