Chemistry

What will I study In Year 10?

• Introduction to GCSE - the study of separation techniques, states of matter, arrangement and movement of particles and purity. This is a recap of work from Years 7 to 9.

• Atomic Structure & Bonding - the study of what atoms are and how they bond together. This topic looks at  subatomic particles, isotopes and how atoms gain, lose or share electrons to form ionic and covalent bonds. 

• Enthalpy and Rate of Reaction - this first looks at the energy changes in chemical reactions and what makes them exothermic or endothermic. You will then use collision theory to explore the factors that affect the rate of a chemical reaction, and use practical work to measure and determine how temperature, concentration, surface area and catalysts alter rate.

• Calculations - you will learn how we can use experimental data to determine chemical formulae and calculations to predict reacting masses, amount of products made and reactants used. Triple award studies this in more detail.

• Acids, Alkalis & Salts - you will learn how salts can be prepared using a variety of reactants. You will undertake a variety of experiments to look at the reactions of acids with metals, metal oxides, metal carbonates and alkalis to prepare different salts. 

• Group Chemistry - you will learn how the elements of Groups 1, 2 and 7 react with each other and water and air. You will record observations, write and balanced chemical equations.

What will I study in Year 11?

• Tests for Ions & Gases - the study of how we can identify which ions are present in compounds. Using a variety of chemical tests, such as flame tests, tests for anions and cations as well as chemical and physical tests for water.

• Organic Chemistry - the study of different organic compounds. You will first look at the different types of organic compounds, alkanes and alkenes, and learn about isomerism, testing for saturation and combustion reactions, as well as looking at the fractional distillation of crude oil and how polymers are made. Triple Award candidates will also look at alcohols, carboxylic acids and esters. 

• Gases and Combustion - the study of gases in air, air pollution and how to reduce air pollution. This includes catalytic converters and Sulfur contamination of fuels as well as writing equations to show the production of acidic gases.

• Metals & Electrolysis - Triple Award only - combines the study of alloys, electrolysis and metal extraction. By considering metallic bonding, you will explain the properties of metals and alloys, before looking at how electrolysis and displacement reactions are used to extract them from their ores.

How will I be assessed?

IGCSE Chemistry is assessed by means of: one 2-hour examination paper (common to the Dual Award) and one 1-hour paper, both of which allow the use of calculators. 

There is only one tier of entry. 

The examination is the International GCSE (IGCSE) in Chemistry.

The examination board is Pearson Edexcel and the specification number is 4CH1. You can see the full specification here.