Introductory questions

Designed as a first step towards the Olympiad, these introductory questions are ideal for students who may be interested in taking part in the competition, but feel less confident or familiar with the topics that tend to come up. The questions feature less advanced content, but encourage students to apply their knowledge in new contexts, honing their problem-solving skills and rewarding perseverance and curiosity – just like a real Olympiad paper.

Topics covered include:

• The composition of air
• Reactions of magnesium with oxygen and nitrogen
• Bromine and its isotopes
• The transformation of propanone into ethyl ethanoate

How to use the resources

1. Attempt to answer the questions

Try to answer as many parts of the introductory questions as you can. Focus on one question at a time, and remember:

• If you get stuck, go to step 2 and check the explainer.
• When you have finished a question, go to step 3 and check your answers.

2. Read through the explainer

Refer to the explainer and read up to the part of the question where you got stuck, or until you identify a problem in your working.

• If you have not finished the question, but the way forward is now clear, return to step 1 and try to answer the remaining parts.

3. Check your answers

Use the mark scheme to check your answers.

• If some or all of your answers are incorrect, go to step 2 and check your working.