Chemistry

A Level Chemistry is divided into three areas:

• Physical Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry

You will study all aspects in both years of the course.

Physical Chemistry:

Topics studied in the first year:

• Atomic structure
• Amount of substance
• Bonding
• Energetics
• Kinetics
• Chemical equilibria and Kc
• Chemical equilibria
• Redox

Topics studied in the second year:

• Thermodynamics
• Rate equations
• Equilibrium constant Kp
• Electrode potentials
• Acids and bases

Inorganic Chemistry:

Topics studied in the first year:

• Periodicity
• Group II and Group VII elements

Topics studied in the second year:

• Period 3 elements and oxides
• Transition metals
• Aqueous ions

Organic Chemistry

Topics studied in the first year:

• Introduction to organic chemistry
• Alkanes
• Alkenes
• Haloalkanes
• Alcohols
• Organic analysis
• Optical isomerism
• Aldehydes and ketones

Topics studied in the second year:

• Optical isomerism
• Aldehydes and ketones
• Carboxylic acids and their derivatives
• Aromatic Chemistry
• Amines
• Polymers
• Amino acids and proteins
• Organic synthesis
• NMR
• Chromatography

You will sit three written exams in total and each lasts two hours

• Papers 1 and 2 include a mixture of short and long answer questions based on specific topics listed in the curriculum and any relevant practical skills. Each are worth 35 % of the A – Level
• Paper 3 is a synoptic paper and is worth 30% of the A – Level. It will include practical based questions, short and long answer questions and multiple-choice questions

During the course, you will also carry out required practical’s which will have a range of competencies linked to them that will be assessed within lessons. If you plan to study a science – based course at University, you will need to meet all of the competencies.

Chemistry A – Level is a very valuable subject and can lead to variety of higher education options. Some are listed below:

• Medicine/Dentistry/Veterinary Science
• Pharmacy
• Chemists (many types!)
• Finance
• Engineering