Yr11/12 Chemistry Transition
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Essential Knowledge!
These are the topics that we consider essential for you to have mastered in preparation for you to be a brilliant A level chemist
Each week you should complete one topic starting with foundations in chemistry all the way to organic chemistry. We will be releasing new material frequently so keep checking back for the next topic!
Foundations in chemistry
Start with the nice and easy topic by watching these videos on atomic structure and electronic structure
Read this document for key ideas and to practice
More practice for atomic structure (ANS), relative atomic mass (ANS) or electron structure of ions (ANS)
Try these exam style questions (answers at the end of document)
Feeling ready? Try our quiz
Bonding
This document summarises key ideas including useful links and some practice questions
If you want a quick refresher, watch the videos for ionic bonding (part 1 and part 2) and for covalent bonding
Practice your ionic formulae (ANS), drawing covalent molecules (ANS) and ionic and covalent substances summary (ANS)
Try to apply your knowledge with these exam style questions (answers at the end of document)
Feeling ready? Try our quiz
Equations and reactions
Start with the summary document for key ideas and how GCSE content will be used at A level
You could use the following videos: redox reactions, exo-endothermic reactions, bond energy calculations, rates of reaction, equilibria
Here are some practice tasks for you to tackle; don't complete all and don't worry if some are quite challenging, we will go over key ideas again in September: balancing equations (ANS), energy changes (ANS), bond energy calculations (ANS), tricky redox reactions (ANS)
Apply your knowledge to exam style questions (answers at the end of the document)
Feeling ready? Try our quiz
Moles and calculations
Here is a summary with key ideas
Head over to FuseSchool to find videos on Avogadro's number, how to use moles in calculations including % yield and atom economy
Practice to improve your fluency and accuracy in mole calculations (ANS), empirical formulae (ANS), reacting mass calculations (ANS), concentration calculations (ANS), %yield (ANS) and atom economy (ANS)
Have a go at these exam style questions (answers again at the end of document)
Feeling ready? Try our quiz
Acids, bases, neutralisation
As always start with these summary notes
Watch these videos which summarise acids/bases/salts and how to carry out acid-base titrations; for help with calculations try this video
Challenge yourself to calculate concentrations without calculator (ANS), or with calculator (ANS); identify acids, bases and salts (ANS) and practice facts and equations (ANS); try these titration calculations (ANS) and some more (ANS)
Exam style questions to apply your knowledge are here (answers at the end of document)
Organic chemistry
Summary notes for organic chemistry
Here is a summary video of the organic chemistry module from GCSE or head over to PMT for more summary notes and flashcards
Start by practicing alkanes (ANS), alkenes (ANS) and alcohols (ANS). You can also fine tune your skills on addition polymers (ANS) or try this organic molecules card sort (ANS)
Ready to apply your knowledge, try these exam style questions (answers again at the end of the document)
Great chemistry websites to explore
SENECA learning - free online GCSE revision platform which tests your fluency in all key areas
BBC bitesize - all exam boards available , just choose your own or be brave and explore other exam boards
MME - practice material based on individual topics; as we know, practice makes perfect
Physics and maths tutor PMT - exam style questions and summary notes sorted by exam boards and topics ; find something tricky come here to practice
Crash course chemistry - short video clips to explain GCSE and A level concepts from atomic structure through to intermolecular forces and many more
Compoundchem - something quick and easy to see how chemistry applies to everyday things; great infographics based on fun facts and trivia
Royal Society of Chemistry - student resources including careers and scientific research; there is a wealth for you to explore, just search for something that interests you
TedTalks Chemistry - lots of short videos to expand your knowledge about chemistry and its applications
Great chemistry reading books
Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe by Theodore Gray
Periodic Tales: The Curious Lives of the Elements byHugh Aldersey-Williams
Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World by Mark Miodownik
The Science of Everyday Life: Why Teapots Dribble, Toast Burns and Light Bulbs Shine by Marty Jopson
Calculations in AS/A Level Chemistry by Jim Clark
Useful A level chemistry resources
A level chemistry specification - OCR A (and a shorter 'at a glance' version)
The CGP Head Start to A Level Chemistry book is free on Amazon Kindle edition
Data sheet for A level chemistry
OCR A level chemistry Mathematical skills handbook
OCR A level chemistry Practical skills handbook