A LEVEL CHEMISTRY
Why study Chemistry?
Chemistry is not all about blowing things up, although that is included. It is about how matter and energy, in and all around us, behave and interact with each other: from molecular changes in the eye responding to light that allows you to see to fabricating and testing compounds to produce lifesaving drugs. Learning about chemistry not only allows you to safely sort through your hazardous chemical cupboard but offers a powerful lens through which to discover how the world works. It will also offer you the opportunity to enter a field that is responsible for amazing advances in genetics, pharmacy, forensic science, renewable energy capture and storage, and innovative materials.
Career options are not limited to the medical and life sciences. There are endless pathways you could choose after studying chemistry such as concocting gastronomic delights like Michelin star chef Heston Blumenthal or creating ground-breaking new textiles for the fashion and medical industry, exploring the ecosystems that lie beneath the oceans, predicting climate change or restoring master artworks to their former glory.
What will you study?
Chemistry is a very popular subject at Bales and is often studied in conjunction with other sciences. The course we run has a huge breadth of topics from investigating the structure, properties and behaviour of atoms to debating pressing global issues such as bio-fuels, pharmaceuticals, climate change and space research.
This course covers nineteen topics relating to inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. In very simplistic terms inorganic chemistry examines the characteristics of the elements, except carbon, and their compounds; organic chemistry explores the chemical reactions in living organisms and what can be derived from them, for example petrochemicals, shampoos, paper, drugs, synthetic fibres; and physical chemistry works at a molecular and atomic level and investigates how chemical reactions occur.
Within these three areas – inorganic, organic and physical chemistry – AS level students cover topics 1–10 and A level students cover all topics listed in the tables below. A level students will sit a third exam paper General and Practical Principles in Chemistry, also described in the table below.
There will also be a series of internally assessed core practicals throughout the course to help students develop and demonstrate their understanding and competence.
Year 12
Core Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
- Topic 1: Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
- Topic 2: Bonding and Structure
- Topic 3: Redox I
- Topic 4: Inorganic Chemistry and the Periodic Table
- Topic 5: Formulae, Equations and Amounts of Substance
Organic and Physical Chemistry
- Topic 2: Bonding and Structure
- Topic 5: Formulae, Equations and Amounts of Substance
- Topic 6: Organic Chemistry I
- Topic 7: Modern Analytical Techniques I
- Topic 8: Energetics I
- Topic 9: Kinetics I
- Topic 10: Equilibrium I
Year 13
Core Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
- Topic 1: Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
- Topic 2: Bonding and Structure
- Topic 3: Redox I
- Topic 4: Inorganic Chemistry and the Periodic Table
- Topic 5: Formulae, Equations and Amounts of Substance
- Topic 8: Energetics I
- Topic 10: Equilibrium I
- Topic 11: Equilibrium II
- Topic 12: Acid-base Equilibria
- Topic 13: Energetics II
- Topic 14: Redox II
- Topic 15: Transition Metals
Organic and Physical Chemistry
- Topic 2: Bonding and Structure
- Topic 3: Redox I
- Topic 5: Formulae, Equations and Amounts of Substance
- Topic 6: Organic Chemistry I
- Topic 7: Modern Analytical Techniques I
- Topic 9: Kinetics I
- Topic 16: Kinetics II
- Topic 17: Organic Chemistry II
- Topic 18: Organic Chemistry III
- Topic 19: Modern Analytical Techniques II
How will you study?
Our class sizes are kept small so that everyone can keep pace and receive the attention needed to reach their full potential. We provide plenty of opportunity for students to put theory into practice – give or take atom smashing – to deepen their understanding of Chemistry and prepare them for their final examination and hopefully a career in the field.
Practical work is central to chemistry. Learning how to be a confident and competent chemist is not only vital for passing the final exam and getting a job but also to avoid poisoning anyone, blowing up the lab or setting yourself on fire. Therefore students are offered plenty of opportunities to put their theoretical knowledge into practice.
There are a least 16 core practicals that students must plan and conduct to investigate things such as how certain elements react with water, heating nitrates or carbonates; how flame colours of s-block elements such as potassium, magnesium and sodium differ; how to prepare iodine from seaweed; how to extract limonene from orange peel; how to set up electrochemical cells; and how to use chromatography (separating components) to identify metals in a ‘silver’ coin or amino acids in a protein. From these practicals students will learn to accurately collect data, analyse and interpret their findings, extrapolate ideas and identify areas for further enquiry.
During these practicals students will also need to think about ethical issues such as sustainability of resources (deciding how much ‘rare’ material to use in an experiment), safe waste disposal (finding a better place than down the sink to pour toxic compounds) and safety in the lab (avoiding accidental fumigation).
Students will be examined on all aspects of the practicals they have conducted, as described above, and also asked to apply what they have learned to other practical scenarios. This includes analysing outcomes, drawing valid conclusions and considering methods and data.
Students will also be asked to talk about how new discoveries, theories or methodologies may be validated (or not) by the scientific community and how they may go on to affect decision making and policy for society.
Potential degree courses
Chemistry remains one of the most vigorous and demanding of A levels especially suited to those students also studying other sciences such as Maths, Physics and Biology. It is an essential choice for those wishing to pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and related subjects.
Specification details – Edexcel 9CH0