A LEVEL CHEMISTRY
Exam Board: AQA
Chemistry is the study of the substances that help to make our life more comfortable. Materials developed by chemists can be seen in the clothes we wear, the fuels that we burn in our homes and cars, fertilisers used in the production of our food and in the medicines we take. Chemists need also to study how and why substances react together and how they can change the properties of compounds so as to produce those characteristics that will be beneficial to humans.
Qualification 7405
The course develops those skills learnt at GCSE or its equivalent and develops students' interest and enjoyment of chemistry. It aims to produce an appreciation of the interlinking patterns that exist amongst the chemical elements so that predictions can be made about the likely structure and reactions of elements not previously studied. The course is a stepping stone to future study and many transferable skills are developed. There is a supportive atmosphere amongst chemistry students with the younger ones being encouraged by their older peers.
Content
Physical chemistry
3.1.1 Atomic structure 3.1.2 Amount of substance3.1.3 Bonding
3.1.4 Energetics 3.1.5 Kinetics 3.1.6 Chemical equilibria and Le Chatelier’s principle 3.1.7
Oxidation, reduction and redox equations 3.1.8 Thermodynamics 3.1.9 Rate equations 3.1.10 Equilibrium constant Kc for homogeneous systems 3.1.11 Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells 3.1.12 Acids and bases.
Inorganic chemistry
3.2.1 Periodicity 3.2.2 Group 2, the alkaline earth metals 3.2.3 Group 7(17), the halogens 3.2.4 Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides (A-level only) 3.2.5 Transition metals 3.2.6 Reactions of ions in aqueous solution.
Organic chemistry
3.3.1 Introduction to organic chemistry 3.3.2 Alkanes 3.3.3 Halogenoalkanes 3.3.4 Alkenes 3.3.5 Alcohols 3.3.6 Organic analysis 3.3.7 Optical isomerism 3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones 3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
3.3.10 Aromatic chemistry 3.3.11 Amines 3.3.12 Polymers 3.3.13 Amino acids, proteins and DNA 3.3.14 Organic synthesis 3.3.15 Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy 3.3.16 Chromatography.
Assessment: 3 written exam papers
Paper 1: 2hrs, 105 marks accounting for 35% of total. Physical chemistry topics (sections 3.1.1 to 3.1.4, 3.1.6 to 3.1.8 and 3.1.10 to 3.1.12). Inorganic chemistry (section 3.2). Relevant
Padworth College A Level Course Prospectus 2015-17
practical skills. Short questions and long answers.
Paper 2: 2hrs, 105 marks accounting for 35% of total. Physical chemistry topics (sections 3.1.2 to 3.1.6 and 3.1.9). Organic chemistry (section 3.3). Relevant practical skills. Short questions and long answers.
Paper 3: 2hrs, 90 marks accounting for 30% of total. Any content and any practical skills. Multiple choice and long answer.
Practical work
Practical work is at the heart of chemistry and is assessed in two different ways; in the written exams and the experiments carried out by the students. A Level grades are based on those examined. A separate endorsement of practical skills will be taken alongside the A Level.
Entry requirements
Requirements for taking the course are (I)GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or higher in chemistry, maths and English. Due to the mathematical content, the potential to do A Level maths is desirable.