Chemistry

Chemistry

Chemistry helps us to understand the world in which we live and underpins a wide range of science-based degree courses and careers. Success with A level chemistry will prepare you for a future in eg chemistry, pharmacy, pharmacology, chemical engineering, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, veterinary science, medicine and dentistry. Studying AS and A level Chemistry provides the next step in understanding the interactions between materials. Most topic areas, such as atomic structure, bonding, the Periodic Table, energy, rates of reaction and organic chemistry, will be familiar from GCSE but are explored in greater detail.

There is an emphasis on practical experimentation throughout the course, resulting in an externally marked practical exam in April of Year 13.

Students are taught by two teachers and there is internal assessment of progress in different skill areas during the course. There are mock exams carried out at Christmas and Easter. Regular practice of examination questions is a feature of the course and end of unit tests with personalised feedback are used to provide targets for students. Homework is set on a weekly basis.

In the summer term, the A2 course will begin with the focus on rates of reactions and transition metals with the possibility of giving students a chance to carry out a range of practical activities. In the second year, a broader range of physical chemistry and wider applications of organic chemistry are studied in greater depth.

WHAT THE LEARNERS SAY:

“Chemistry is an exciting subject that opens doors to so many career pathways! Completing practice questions along the way makes me so confident when tackling exams.”

This specification is divided into a total of 5 units: 2 AS and 3 A Level units. The AS Level Chemistry (Year 12) course consists of:

Chemistry 1: The language of Chemistry, Structure of Matter and Simple reactions
This unit covers the following areas of study:

  • Formulae and equations
  • Basic ideas about atoms
  • Chemical calculations
  • Bonding
  • Solid structures
  • The Periodic Table
  • Simple equilibria and acid-base reactions
It is assessed through an 80 mark written examination, which accounts for 20% of A2 level, and 50% of AS.

Chemistry 2 – Energy, rate and Chemistry of Carbon Compounds
This unit covers the following areas of study:

  • Thermochemistry
  • Rates of reaction
  • The wider impact of chemistry
  • Organic compounds
  • Hydrocarbins
  • Halogenoalkanes
  • Alcohols and carboxylic acids
  • Instrumental analysis
It is assessed through an 80 mark written examination, which accounts for 20% of A2 level, and 50% of AS.

Both exams consist of a range of range of short answer, structured and extended response questions.

The A2 Level Chemistry (Year 13) course consists of two further examined units in a similar format to Year 12, and a practical examination, which will assess the practical skills developed over the duration of the course. It comprises two tasks which will be completed on set dates in the spring term of the second year of study (10% of A2 level). The experimental task is 30 marks (3 hours). You will be given a set of apparatus and examination paper containing a method to follow. You will then carry out the investigation, analyse and evaluate the data. This is followed by the Practical Analysis Task 30 marks (1 hour). You will be provided with experimental data to analyse.