Chemistry

Course summary

Physical Chemistry: atomic structure; amount of substance; bonding, energetics and Thermodynamics; kinetics and rate equations; equilibria; Le Chatelier's principle; Kc and Kp , Oxidation; reduction and redox equations; electrode potentials and electrochemical cells; acids and bases. Inorganic Chemistry: periodicity, Group 2; Group 7; properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides; transition metals, reactions of ions in aqueous solution. Organic Chemistry: introduction to organic chemistry; alkanes; alcohols; halogenoalkanes; alkenes; optical isomerism; aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives; aromatic chemistry; amines; polymers, Amino acids; proteins and DNA; organic synthesis; organic analysis; nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; chromatography. Throughout the course, pupils will engage in many practical activities, develop necessary skills and will be awarded, on satisfactory completion of the 12 practical activities required by the exam board, a separately reported pass for their practical endorsement.