Chemistry
Introduction
Studying chemistry at A-Level gives an understanding of how matter interacts and the role that elements play in making up our world and beyond. Studying chemistry at a-level also helps students see the relevance of science beyond the laboratory and develop their analytical, evaluative and synoptic skills. A further appreciation of how science works is also developed to help students make informed decision on issued such as climate change.
A successful student in chemistry has to be competent in many skills including practical, mathematics conceptualising ideas. It is therefore a highly regarded A level by both Universities and employers.
Edexcel
Please click here for the specification and past papers, teaching materials, and vocabulary lists etc, supplied by Edexcel.
Subject Content
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AS and first year of A-level |
Second year of A-level |
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Atomic structure and the periodic table |
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Organic chemistry introduction, alkane, alkenes and alcohols |
Organic chemistry including chirality, carbonyl compounds and carboxylic acids |
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Bonding and structure |
Organic chemistry including arenes, nitrogen containing compounds and synthesis |
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Redox chemistry and oxidation numbers |
Redox chemistry and electrochemistry |
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Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table |
Transition metals |
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Equilibria introduction |
Equilibria quantification |
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Formulae, equations and amount of substance |
Acid-base Equilibria |
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Modern analytical techniques including mass spec and IR |
Modern analytic techniques including further mass spec, NMR and chromatography |
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Energetics including Hess’ law |
Energetics including lattice energy and entropy |
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Kinetics including rates of reactions |
Kinetics including order of reactions |
Exam structure
AS and A level Chemistry will be linear qualifications; assessments for each qualification will now take place at the end of each course. AS will be a stand-alone qualification, meaning it will not form part of students’ A level grades. However, the content of the AS is included in the A level content, to allow the two qualifications to be co-taught. There will be no coursework elements in AS and A level Chemistry. Instead, students will be required to complete a number of core practicals (8 in Y12 and 8 in Y13) which cover specific skills and techniques. Practical skills will now be assessed in two ways: investigative skills, and knowledge and understanding of some core practicals will be assessed in AS and A level exams and contribute to students’ overall grades. Teacher assessment of students’ competency when completing practical work will count towards the separate Practical Endorsement at A level (this does not contribute to the overall grade but does need to be passed).
Click here to view a summary of the exams.