Chemistry

Course summary

The A-Level Chemistry course at Bancroft aims to develop a candidate's knowledge and understanding of Chemistry and foster analytical skills. It also hopefully enhances a candidate's enthusiasm for Chemistry and Science in general. Pupils who have enjoyed all aspects of GCSE Chemistry and those who like mathematical and conceptual challenges would find this course attractive. It is open to students who have studied GCSE Chemistry or Trilogy (double award) Science courses. Chemistry is a vibrant and exciting subject. It is involved in everything around us - from the making of new materials to understanding biological systems, from the fuels we use to the medicines which keep us healthy, and from the fabrics we wear to keeping the air we breathe healthy. It is often called the central science and has overlaps with Biology, Geography and Physics. The course splits chemistry into three components. 1. Physical Chemistry is the study of the main principles of chemistry. It incorporates the mole, energy, structure and bonding, equilibrium, rates of reaction, acids and bases. Many of these topics become more mathematical as the course proceeds. 2. Inorganic Chemistry is the study of the elements in the periodic table and their compounds. It includes a study of Groups 2 and 7 and the transition metals. 3. Organic Chemistry. This is the study of carbon-based chemistry from simple alkanes through to polymers, medicines and the molecules of life.