Chemistry

Course summary

• Development of practical skills in Chemistry • Foundations in chemistry - atoms, compounds, molecules and equations, amount of substance, acid - base and redox reactions, electrons, bonding and structure. • Periodic table and energy – the period table and periodicity, Group 2 and the halogens, qualitative analysis, enthalpy changes, Reaction rates and equilibrium. • Core organic chemistry - basic concepts, hydrocarbons, alcohols and haloalkanes, organic synthesis, analytical techniques. • Physical chemistry and transition elements - reaction rates, quantitative equilibrium, pH and buffers, enthalpy, entropy and free energy, redox and electrode potentials, transitions elements. • Organic chemistry and analysis - aromatic compounds, carbonyl compounds, carboxylic acids and esters, nitrogen compounds, polymers, organic synthesis, chromatography and spectroscopy. A Level Chemistry offers the opportunity to understand how society makes decisions about science issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society. It is a facilitating subject that is well regarded by top universities and employers Practical skills are developed throughout the course and are assessed as part of the written examination.