Chemistry

Formulae, equations and hazards

This topic covers the fundamental skills required for chemical communication and safety in the laboratory. It focuses on the correct use of chemical formulae, the construction of balanced word and ionic equations, and the interpretation of hazard symbols to ensure safe working practices.

Key concepts in chemistry

This topic covers the classification of substances into ionic, simple molecular (covalent), giant covalent, and metallic structures. It explains how the specific bonding and structure of these substances determine their physical properties, such as melting points, boiling points, solubility, and electrical conductivity.

Types of substance, Covalent bonding, Ionic bonding +3 more

States of matter and mixtures

This topic covers the three states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) and the physical changes that occur between them. It also explores the distinction between pure substances and mixtures, alongside experimental techniques for separating mixtures such as distillation, filtration, and chromatography.

States of matter, Methods of separating and purifying substances

Chemical changes

This topic covers the fundamental properties of acids and alkalis, including their behavior in solution and the pH scale. It details neutralisation reactions, the preparation of soluble and insoluble salts, and the use of indicators to identify pH levels.

Acids, Electrolytic processes

Extracting metals and equilibria

This topic explores reversible reactions, where products can react to reform reactants, and the concept of dynamic equilibrium. It specifically examines the Haber process as an industrial application, focusing on how reaction conditions like temperature, pressure, and catalysts influence the position of equilibrium and the rate of attainment.

Reversible reactions and equilibria, Obtaining and using metals

Separate chemistry 1

This topic covers the principles of chemical cells, which generate voltage until reactants are depleted, and hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells. It focuses on the chemical reactions within these cells, specifically the production of water as the only product in fuel cells, and requires an evaluation of their strengths and weaknesses.

Chemical cells and fuel cells, Quantitative analysis, Transition metals, alloys and corrosion +1 more

Groups in the periodic table

This topic covers the properties and trends of Group 7 elements, known as the halogens. It focuses on their physical states, chemical reactivity, and their ability to undergo displacement reactions, which are explained as redox processes involving electron transfer.

Group 7, Group 1, Group 0

Rates of reaction and energy changes

This topic explores the factors that influence the speed of chemical reactions and the energy changes that accompany them. Students investigate how conditions such as temperature, concentration, pressure, and surface area affect reaction rates, and learn to interpret reaction profiles and calculate energy changes using bond energies.

Rates of reaction, Heat energy changes in chemical reactions

Fuels and Earth science

This topic explores the evolution of the Earth's atmosphere from its early volcanic origins to its current composition. It covers the role of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane in climate change, the impact of human activity, and the chemical processes involved in atmospheric pollution.

Earth and atmospheric science, Fuels

Separate chemistry 2

This topic covers the chemistry of hydrocarbons, focusing on alkanes and alkenes. It includes the structural representation of these molecules, the concept of saturation versus unsaturation, and key chemical reactions such as combustion and the use of bromine water to distinguish between these homologous series.

Hydrocarbons, Bulk and surface properties of matter including nanoparticles, Alcohols and carboxylic acids +2 more