What Will I learn?
- Atoms, compounds, molecules, equations
- Amount of substance
- Acid-base and redox reactions
- Electrons, bonding and structure
- The Periodic table and periodicity
- Group 2 and the halogens
- Qualitative analysis
- Enthalpy changes
- Basic concepts of carbon chemistry
- Hydrocarbons
- Alcohols and halogenoalkanes
- Reaction rates and equilibria
- pH and buffers
- Enthalpy, entropy and free energy
- Redox and electrode potentials
- Transition elements
- Aromatic compounds
- Carbonyl compounds
- Carboxylic acids and esters
- Nitrogen compounds
- Polymers
- Organic synthesis
- Analytical techniques (Infrared, mass spectroscopy, chromatography, NMR
How Am I Assessed?
| Unit Title | Description | Assessment/Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 – Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry | Section A – Multiple choice Section B – Structured questions covering theory and practical skills. Assesses content from modules 1, 2, 3, 5 | 2 hours 15 min written exam 37% |
| Paper 2 – Synthesis and analytical techniques | Structured questions and extended response questions, covering theory and practical skills. Assesses content from modules 1, 2, 4, 6 | 2 hours 15 min written exam 37% |
| Paper 3 – Unified chemistry | Structured questions and extended response questions, covering theory and practical skills. Assesses content from modules 1 to 6 | 1 hour 30 min written exam 26% |
| Practical endorsement for Chemistry | Candidates complete a minimum of 12 practical activities to demonstrate competence. Performance is then reported separately to the A Level grade | Non-exam Reported separately |
What Career Options Do I Have?
Chemists are very much involved in tackling the problems faced by modern society. On a given day, a
chemist may be studying the mechanism for the recombination of DNA, measuring the amount of
insecticide in drinking water, developing a biodegradable plastic, comparing the protein content of meats,
monitoring and controlling pollution, developing a new antibiotic or analysing a moon rock! In addition, a
Chemistry qualification is excellent preparation for careers in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine
or in the allied health professions