The Course

In A-Level Chemistry you will be looking at the properties and behaviour of elements and compounds in various ways. There are 6 units to the A Level which cover organic, inorganic and physical elements of chemistry. Theoretical and practical elements are both taught and assessed. As the course develops you will be using principles, theories and practical skills to find out and understand more about chemistry and chemicals. Reference is frequently made to the “real world” and how chemistry fits in. Chemistry looks at the use of chemicals and energy, creating new substances and employing the fundamentals of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry.

The A Level begins with you looking at the properties and behaviour of elements and compounds in various ways: Theory, practical, numerical analysis, bulk properties, molecular properties, bonding patterns, spectroscopy, polymers, energetics. As the course develops you will be using principles, theories and practical skills to find out and understand more about chemistry and chemicals. Reference is frequently made to the “real world” and how chemistry fits in. At the conclusion of A2 virtually 100% of students pass and go on to University.

A1 Units:

• CHEM 1 – Atomic structure, isotopes, electronic arrangement, mass spectrometry, moles as an amount of substance, idea gas equation, formulae and balanced equations, bonding (ionic, covalent and metallic), polarity, intermolecular forces, shapes of molecules, periodicity, basic organic chemistry (nomenclature, isomerism, alkanes).
• CHEM 2 – Energetics, enthalpy change, Hess’ Law, kinetics, collision theory, Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, equilibria, redox reactions, redox state and equations, Group 2 and 7, extraction of metals, haloalkanes, alkenes, alcohols, use of analysis (mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy).
• CHEM 3 – Investigative and practical skills assessment.

A2 Units:

• CHEM 4 – Kinetics, rate equations, equilibria, Kc, acids and bases, pH, Kw, Ka, buffer solutions, further aliphatic organic chemistry (carbonyls, carboxylic acids, esters), aromatic chemistry, amines, amino acids and proteins, polymers (addition and condensation), disposal of polymers, organic synthesis, further analysis including chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance.
• CHEM 5 – Thermodynamics, free energy and entropy, further periodicity, redox equilibria, electrochemistry, transition metal chemistry, inorganic aqueous chemistry.
• CHEM 6 – Further Investigative and practical skills assessment.

Why study Chemistry?
If you’re intrigued by experiments and like to see how the world works, then chemistry is a great subject to pursue. Chemistry is very much an experimental science, dealing with the properties of chemicals and energy. The main aims of chemists are to make new substances, study their properties and then devise novel uses for them. To do this, chemists employ the fundamentals of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry.