Download Chemistry - Gildredge House

Chemistry
(New specification 7405)
AIMS OF THE COURSE
The course is designed to provide students with essential knowledge and
understanding of different areas of Chemistry and how they relate to
each other. Students gain essential practical skills as well as a deep
knowledge and understanding of scientific methods and competence in a
variety of mathematical and problem solving skills.
The course is designed and assessed against the following three key
areas: Understanding current scientific ideas, processes and techniques
used in chemistry. Competence in applying scientific techniques when
handling qualitative and quantitative data. The ability to analyse,
interpret and evaluate scientific evidence to make qualified judgements
and reach sound and valid conclusions.
Examination board: AQA
Why study Chemistry?
Chemistry is considered
one
of
the
most
prestigious A Levels. It is a
key gateway subject for
engineering,
pharmacy
and medicine. Careers in
chemistry and related
science
can
often
contribute to the success
of
society
and
the
economy.
STRUCTURE
Unit 1 Physical Chemistry (3.1)
Students start by focussing on the chemical properties of elements and
their atomic structure as well as theories of bonding. These are
extensively covered before moving on to study more specific ideas on
reaction kinetics, reaction equilibria, Redox reactions, acids and bases
and many other applications of the fundamental concepts of chemistry.
Content:

Atomic structure

Amount of substance

Bonding

Energetics and Kinetics

Chemical equilibria and Thermodynamics

Oxidation and reduction

Rate equations and equilibrium

Electrode potentials and electrochemistry

Acids and bases
Unit 2 Inorganic Chemistry
In this unit students extend their knowledge of chemical properties to
include trends within period 3 of the periodic table, the specific
properties of group 2 and group 7 elements and those of the transition
metals before examining the action of catalysts, the theory behind
oxidation states and the shapes of complex ions.
Content:

Periodicity

Group 2 metals

Group 7 elements

The properties of period 3 elements

Transitions metals

The reactions of ions in aqueous solutions
Chemistry is a subject
respected and desired by
universities.
The Russell Group of
universities
name
Chemistry among its list of
‘facilitating subjects’, a
subject considered to give
students the most options.
Chemistry
Unit 3 Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry is the study of the compounds of carbon. These
structurally diverse compounds vary from fuels to DNA and the molecules
of life and also include the vast array of synthetic materials created by
chemists such as drugs, medicines and plastics.
Students will learn the International Union of Pure and Applied
Chemistry (IUPAC) naming system as well as the various ways to
represent the structure and formula of organic molecules. Reaction
mechanisms are also studied, which enable organic reactions to be
explained in a step-by-step process.
Content:

Basic organic chemistry

Alkanes, Haloalkanes, Alkenes and Alcohols

Organic analysis and isomerism

Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic acids

Aromatic chemistry and Amines

Polymers, amino acids and DNA

Organic synthesis, NMR and Chromatography
How does Chemistry fit
into my other studies?
Other
subjects
that
complement the study of
Chemistry include:
PRACTICAL WORK
Practical assessments have been divided into those assessed in written
exams and those directly assessed whilst students are carrying out
experiments. A Level grades will be based only on marks from written
exams (overall, about 15% of the marks for the A Level).
A separate endorsement of practical skills will be taken alongside the A
Level. This will be assessed by teachers over a minimum of 12 required
practical experiments and will appear on all students’ certificates as a
separately reported result, alongside the overall grade for the A Level.
There will be no separate assessment of practical skills for AS
qualifications.
ASSESSMENT
A LEVEL EXAMINATION
1
Paper
Weighting
Length of
examination
Marks
Physical Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Relevant practical skills
2
3
Physical Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Relevant practical skills
Any content
Any practical skills.
35%
35%
30%
2 hours
2 hours
2 hours
105
105
90
The AS qualification is assessed in the same format but the content of each unit
is reduced as follows:
Physical Chemistry; 7 out of 12 topics, Inorganic Chemistry; 3 out of 6 topics.
Organic Chemistry; 6 out of 16 topics (see AQA website page here for details).
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
Contact
our
Teacher
i/c
[email protected]
Chemistry,
Where can Chemistry
take me?
Chemists often work in the
pharmaceutical
industry
developing new drugs and
therapies to cure diseases.
Chemical engineering is
allied to the oil and fuels
industry and can be a
lucrative
career.
Chemistry is also a key
component in Pharmacy,
Forensic
science
and
medicine.
Mr
N
Edmunds:
Russell Group ‘Informed Choices’ can be downloaded here or by pasting
the following link in your web browser: http://www.russellgroup.org/
InformedChoices-latest.pdf
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Biology
Physics
Mathematics
Pharmacology
Food science
Design technology