A Level

Chemistry

Chemistry is all around us. Understanding chemistry can help explain many questions about everyday life.
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A LEVEL
AQA
100% Exam
6+ in Two Sciences
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.

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Chemistry Exam Results

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PASS

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A* to C

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A* to B

HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS

The subject is completely fascinating. It is great to share thoughts, interpretations and opinions with the rest of the class, in sometimes lively and passionate debate.

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I absolutely love everything about our English Literature lessons.

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The subject is completely fascinating. It is great to share thoughts, interpretations and opinions with the rest of the class, in sometimes lively and passionate debate.

Name of Student

I absolutely love everything about our English Literature lessons.

Name of Student

The subject is completely fascinating. It is great to share thoughts, interpretations and opinions with the rest of the class, in sometimes lively and passionate debate.

Name of Student

Chemistry
Course Content

Through a combination of theory and practical experimentation, students will learn the fundamental principles of physical, inorganic and organic chemistry. 

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
 
Inorganic Chemistry
 
  • 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
CONTENT
Inorganic chemistry, plus relevant physical chemistry topics and practical skills
WEIGHT
35% (105 Marks)
LENGTH
2 Hours

Paper 1 comprises of a mixture of short and long answer questions. 

PAPER 2
CONTENT
Organic chemistry, plus relevant physical chemistry topics and practical skills
WEIGHT
35% (105 Marks)
LENGTH
2 Hours

Paper 2 comprises of a mixture of short and long answer questions. 

PAPER 3
CONTENT
Any content and any practical skill from the course
WEIGHT
30% (90 Marks)
LENGTH
2 Hours

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

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.

Send me a message

Start Your
Chemistry
Journey

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