Chemistry

Course summary

In a change from previous years, to complete the full A Level in Chemistry students must complete all six modules and be assessed on all six at the end of two years of study – i.e. in Year 13. The A Level is no longer formed of ‘AS’ plus ‘A2’. However, students can choose to study Chemistry for just one year (modules 1-4) and complete the relevant exams to attain an AS Level in Chemistry. Year 12 Physical Chemistry The content of this module includes atomic structure, amount of substance, bonding, energetics, kinetics, chemical equilibrium and Le Chatelier’s principle. Inorganic Chemistry This module includes the study of: periodicity, group 2 alkaline earth metals and group 7 halogens. Organic Chemistry In this module, students learn about: introduction to organic chemistry, alkanes, halogen alkanes, alkenes, alcohols and organic analysis. Year 13 Content Physical Chemistry The content of this module includes thermodynamics, rate equations, the equilibrium constant, electrode potentials and electrochemistry. Inorganic Chemistry This module includes the study of: properties of period 3 elements and their oxides, transition metals and reactions of ions in aqueous solutions. Organic Chemistry In this module, students learn about: optical isomerism, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, aromatic chemistry, amines, polymers, amino acids, proteins and DNA, organic synthesis, NMR spectroscopy and chromatography.