Chemistry

Assessment

In Year 12, you are introduced to concepts of mole calculations and quantitative experiments, atomic structure, chemical bonding and the Periodic table, with emphasis on the elements and compounds of Groups 2 and 7. You study organic chemistry via hydrocarbons, alcohols and derivatives, including modern analytical techniques used to identify them, such as mass spectrometry, chromatography and spectroscopy. On the physical side of the course, you look at energetics, reaction rates and green chemistry. In Year 13, you concentrate on core organic chemistry with one of your teachers, studying aromatic molecules, carbonyl compounds, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, and nitrogen compounds to polymers. This aims to provide you with a deeper knowledge of organic chemistry, and an understanding of how it shapes the natural world, whilst providing many important products. In parallel, you study physical and inorganic chemistry, which enables you to develop a quantitative and more in-depth approach. You explore the more advanced aspects of chemical equilibria, combined with a study of acids, bases and buffers, as well as lattice energies, electrode potentials and the transition elements.