A Level Chemistry

Kings Ely sixth form

Academic

A Level Chemistry

Chemistry gives us not only survival but also a quality of life through the materials it provides.

 

Chemistry will be at the forefront of scientific developments in the coming years, quietly predicting and shaping the future.

Chemistry is a very highly regarded A level by employers and Universities and enjoys the status of a “facilitating” subject. This means that study at this level is a requirement for many courses such as Biological Sciences, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Pharmacy, Biochemistry and of course Chemistry.

An A Level Chemist will be furnished with the knowledge and skills to comprehend the implications of environmental policies and the underlying building blocks that define this world, and transfer their superior analytical and problem skills to the work environment.

Prerequisite

 

Minimum GCSE grade 7 for Double Award Science/Chemistry.

As 20% of the course has mathematical content, grade 7 or equivalent at GCSE Maths.
Topic Overview

 

The course is divided up into the traditional areas of Physical, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry. The topics in these areas in the course are:

Physical

Atomic structure, Amount of substance, Bonding, Energetics, Kinetics, Chemistry equilibria Le Chatelier’s principle, Thermodynamics (ΔH, ΔS and ΔG), Rate equations, Equilibrium constants (Kc and Kp) for homogeneous systems, Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells.

Inorganic

Periodicity, Group 2 the alkaline earth metals, Group 7(17) the halogens, Period 3 elements and their oxides, Transition metals, Reactions of ions in aqueous solution.

Organic

Alkanes, Halogenoalkanes, Alkenes, Alcohols, Organic analysis. Optical isomerism, Aldehydes and ketones, Carboxylic acids and derivatives, Aromatic chemistry, Amines, Polymers, Amino acids, Proteins and DNA, Organic synthesis, NMR spectroscopy, Chromatography.
Assessments

 

20% of the total A Level marks require the use of Level 2 (Higher tier GCSE) mathematical skills.

There will be no internal assessment that leads to marks that contribute towards the AS or A Level grades. Practical work will be assessed in the written papers.

15% of the total A Level marks will be for practical knowledge and understanding of the scientific method.

We have excellent equipment at King’s Ely in the department for carrying out all the required practical and investigative work so that students will be confident in this area.

Paper 1: 

  • Inorganic Chemistry, with relevant Physical Chemistry and relevant practical skills
  • Written exam: 2 hours - 105 marks - 35% of A Level
  • 105 marks: a mixture of short and long answer questions

 

Paper2: 

  • Organic Chemistry, with relevant Physical Chemistry and relevant practical skills
  • Written exam: 2 hours - 105 marks - 35% of A Level
  • 105 marks: a mixture of short and long answer questions

Paper3: 

  • All practical skills. All content
  • Written exam: 2 hours - 90 marks -30% of A Level
  • 40 marks: questions on practical techniques and data analysis
  • 20 marks: testing across the specification
  • 30 marks: multiple choice questions

 

Meet the HEAD OF CHEMISTRY 

Dr Helen Ost 

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EMAIL HELEN OST

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