Course

EXAMS

Trinity Academy uses the AQA exam board for A-level Chemistry.  

A-level Chemistry lasts two years, with exams at the end of the second year.   There is no coursework on this course. However, your performance during practicals will be assessed. There are three exams at the end of the two years for A-level, all of which are two hours long. At least 15% of the marks for A-level Chemistry are based on what you learned in your practicals.

Paper 1: Physical and Inorganic Chemistry

Paper 2: Physical and Organic Chemistry

Paper 3: Synoptic Paper, including 30 multiple choice questions

FIRST YEAR TOPICS

Physical chemistry: Atomic structure, Amount of substance, Bonding, Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical equilibria, Redox reactions

Inorganic chemistry: Periodicity, Group 2 (alkaline earth metals), Group 7/17 (halogens)

Organic chemistry: Introduction to organic chemistry, Alkanes, Halogenoalkanes, Alkenes, Alcohols, Organic analysis

SECOND YEAR TOPICS

Physical chemistry: Thermodynamics, Rate equations, Equilibrium constant Kp, Electrochemistry, Acids and bases

Inorganic chemistry: Properties of Period 3 elements, Transition metals, Reactions of ions in aqueous solution

Organic chemistry: Optical isomerism, Carbonyl compounds, Aromatic chemistry, Amines, Polymers, Amino acids, proteins and DNA, Organic synthesis, NMR spectroscopy, Chromatography

PREPARATION

To prepare for the course, please make sure that you have a lever-arch folder for Chemistry, set up with dividers and lined paper. Your teachers will give you lots of booklets/sheets, so an exercise book, or pad of paper will be insufficient. You won't need to bring your full folder to school everyday, but you will be expected to have current and recent work with you, and organised.

You will need a set of stationery and a scientific calculator. This calculator is recommended by the Maths department.

You must also purchase yourself an A Level Chemistry textbook. New examples are ~£50, but second-hand copies are usually around ~£20. Use Google to find these through eBay/Vinted/Gumtree/Marketplace etc.

If you have any financial issues with this then please email bschober@trinityacademybristol.org. You will need your textbook for your first lesson.