Chemistry

Course summary

1st Year In the first year candidates are given a solid grounding in foundation chemistry. Students are introduced to the three main branches of the subject: physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry. In physical chemistry, students are introduced to atomic structure and bonding, the kinetics and energetics of chemical reactions and the features of reversible and redox reactions. In organic chemistry, students are introduced to the structure of organic molecules and organic analysis. In inorganic chemistry, students take a detailed look at the trends in period 3, group 2 and group 7 of the periodic table. 2nd Year In the second year, the specification develops the concepts of physical chemistry introduced in year one. Students study acids and bases, thermodynamics, rate equations, equilibrium expressions, and electrochemical cells. In inorganic chemistry, students look at the properties of period 3 elements and their oxides, transition metals and reactions of ions in aqueous solution. In organic chemistry, students go into the mechanisms of organic reactions, organic analysis and aromatic chemistry.