Chemistry

A Level Chemistry (AQA)

Aims

This specification encourages students to:

• Develop their interest and enthusiasm for chemistry, including developing an interest in further study and careers associated with chemistry
• Develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to each other
• Develop and demonstrate a deep appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of scientific methods
• Develop competence and confidence in a variety of practical, mathematics and problem-solving skills
• Understand how society makes decisions and scientific issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society
• Use theories, models and ideas to develop scientific explanations
• Use knowledge and understanding to pose scientific questions, define scientific problems, present scientific arguments and scientific ideas
• Use appropriate methodology, including information and communication technology (ICT), to answer scientific questions and solve scientific problems
• Carry out experimental and investigative activities, including appropriate risk management, in a range of contexts
• Analyse and interpret data to provide evidence, recognising correlations and causal relationships
• Know that scientific knowledge and understanding develops over time
• Communication information and ideas in appropriate ways using appropriate terminology
• Consider applications and implications of science and evaluate their associated benefits and risks
• Consider ethical issues in the treatment of humans, other organisms and the environment
• Evaluate the role of the scientific community in validating new knowledge and ensuring integrity
• Evaluate the ways in which society uses science to inform decision making.

Content

1. Physical chemistry
   • Atomic structure
   • Amount of substance
   • Bonding
   • Energetics
   • Kinetics
   • Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle
   • Oxidation, reduction and redox equations
   • Thermodynamics
   • Rate equations
   • Equilibrium constant for homogeneous systems
   • Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells
   • Acids and basis
2. Inorganic chemistry
   • Periodicity
   • Group 2, the alkaline earth metals
   • Group 7(17), the halogens
   • Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides
   • Transition metals
   • Reactions of ions in aqueous solution
3. Organic chemistry
   • Introduction to organic chemistry
   • Alkanes
   • Halogenoalkanes
   • Alkenes
   • Alcohols
   • Organic analysis
   • Optical

Assessment