Course Features

A Level Chemistry offers the opportunity to understand how society makes decisions about science issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society. It is a facilitating subject that is well regarded by top universities and employers. Practical skills are developed throughout the course and are assessed as part of the written examination.

Course Structure

• Development of practical skills in chemistry

• Foundations in chemistry - atoms, compounds, molecules and equations, amount of substance, acid - base and redox reactions, electrons, bonding and structure.

• Periodic table and energy – the period table and periodicity, Group 2 and the halogens, qualitative analysis, enthalpy changes, reaction rates and equilibrium.

• Core organic chemistry - basic concepts, hydrocarbons, alcohols and haloalkanes, organic synthesis and analytical techniques.

• Physical chemistry and transition elements - reaction rates, quantitative equilibrium, pH and buffers, enthalpy, entropy and free energy, redox and electrode potentials, and transitions elements.

• Organic chemistry and analysis - aromatic compounds, carbonyl compounds, carboxylic acids and esters, nitrogen compounds, polymers, organic synthesis, chromatography and spectroscopy.

Assessment

2 Examinations: 2 hours 15 mins (37% each)

1 Examination: 1 hour 30 mins (26%)

Practical endorsement by teacher