CHEMISTRY A-LEVEL
Equivalent to 1 qualification
Awarding Body: AQA
Course Code: 7405
QAN: 601/5731/8
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OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE
A-Level Chemistry attempts to answer the big question ‘what is the world made of’ and it is the search for this answer that makes this subject so fascinating. From investigating how one substance can be changed drastically into another, to researching a new wonder drug to save millions of lives, the opportunities that chemistry provides are endless.
CONTENT AND ASSESSMENT
Paper 1 – 2 hour exam worth 35% of the final grade.
Physical Chemistry: Atomic structure, amount of substance, bonding, energetics, chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc, Oxidation, Reduction and Redox equations, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium constant Kp for homogenous systems, Electrode potentials and Electrochemical cells, Acids and bases.
Inorganic Chemistry: Periodicity, Group 2, Group 7, Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides, Transition metals, reactions of ions in aqueous solution.
Paper 2 – 2 hour exam worth 35% of the final grade.
Physical Chemistry: Amount of substance, Bonding, Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc, rate equations.
Organic Chemistry: Introduction to organic chemistry, 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, chromatography.
Paper 3 – 2 hour exam worth 30% of the final grade.
Any content from the 2-year course can be assessed from any unit and any practical.
There is no coursework on this A-Level. However, your performance during practicals will be assessed. At least 15% of the marks for A-Level Chemistry are based on required practicals.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
GCSE Chemistry at grade 6 or GCSE Combined Science at grade 6 (with grade 6 in the Chemistry unit exams) is required.