Chemistry
- LEVEL
- ASSESSOR
- ASSESSMENT
- ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- AT LEAST 5 GCSES GRADED 4-9 INCLUDING
including Chemistry
What is Chemistry?
Chemistry is a fascinating science rooted in the structure and behaviour of atoms, the composition and properties of compounds, the reactions between substances with their accompanying energy exchanges, and the laws that unite these phenomena into a comprehensive system.
Sometimes referred to as the ‘central science’, chemistry helps to connect physical sciences, like maths and physics, with applied sciences, such as biology, medicine and engineering.
Why study Chemistry?
We may not think about it, but we all experience chemical reactions continously, whether it be breathing or baking a cake, driving a car or listening to music on a battery-powered mobile device. The materials used by engineers and technologists are made by chemical reactions. Chemistry impacts on all facets of our lives. An understanding of chemistry is necessary to all other sciences from astronomgy to zoology.
HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS
ChemistryCourse Content
Through a combination of theory and practical experimentation, students will learn the fundamental principles of physical, inorganic and organic chemistry.Â
Physical Chemistry
- Atomic structure
- Amount of substance
- Bonding
- Energetics
- Kinetics
- Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc
- Oxidation, reduction and redox equations
- Thermodynamics
- Rate equations
- Equilibrium constant Kp for homogeneous systems
- Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells
- Acids and bases
- Periodicity
- Group 2, the alkaline earth metals
- Group 7(17), the halogens
- Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides (A-level only)
- Transition metals (A-level only)
- Reactions of ions in aqueous solution (A-level only)
Organic Chemistry
- Introduction to organic chemistry
- Alkanes
- Halogenoalkanes
- Alkenes
- Alcohols
- Organic analysis
- Optical isomerism
- Aldehydes and ketones
- Carboxylic acids and derivatives
- Aromatic chemistry
- Amines
- Polymers
- Amino acids, proteins and DNA
- Organic synthesis
- Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
- Chromatography
| PAPER 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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CONTENT |
Inorganic chemistry, plus relevant physical chemistry topics and practical skills |
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WEIGHT |
35% (105 Marks) |
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LENGTH |
2 Hours |
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Paper 1 comprises of a mixture of short and long answer questions.Â
| PAPER 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
CONTENT |
Organic chemistry, plus relevant physical chemistry topics and practical skills |
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WEIGHT |
35% (105 Marks) |
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LENGTH |
2 Hours |
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Paper 2 comprises of a mixture of short and long answer questions.Â
| PAPER 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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CONTENT |
Any content and any practical skill from the course |
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WEIGHT |
30% (90 Marks) |
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LENGTH |
2 Hours |
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Paper 3 comprises of the following question types:
- Questions on practical techniques and data analysis (40 marks)
- Testing across the specification (20 marks)
- Multiple choice questions (30 marks)
Dr M Tickner
SUBJECT LEADER FOR SCIENCES
Chemistry is such a fantastic course choice for so many students, and for so many prospective career pathways.
If you wish to discuss anything at all about A Level Chemistry, please do not hesitate to send me a message.
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