Chemistry

Course summary

Students must have a broad interest in different areas of Chemistry and a strong work ethic is essential. Students should also have a good grasp of mathematics as the course involves a considerable amount of basic maths and manipulation of equations. Physical Chemistry including atomic structure, amount of substance, bonding, energetics, kinetics, chemical equilibrium, Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc, thermodynamics, rate equations, equilibrium constant (Kp) for homogeneous systems, electrode potentials and electrochemical cells. Inorganic Chemistry including periodicity, Group 2 the alkaline earth metals, Group 7(17) the halogens, properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides, transition metals, reactions of ions in aqueous solution. Organic Chemistry including 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, NMR spectroscopy, chromatography.