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 essential quantitative calculations in chemistry, including the determination of relative formula mass and percentage composition. It also focuses on the law of conservation of mass, empirical and molecular formula calculations, and the use of the mole concept to determine masses and concentrations in chemical reactions.

Calculations involving masses, 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

Electrolytic processes involve the use of direct current to decompose electrolytes, which are ionic compounds in a molten state or dissolved in water. This topic covers the movement of ions to electrodes, the formation of products at the cathode and anode, and the use of half equations to describe oxidation and reduction.

Electrolytic processes, Acids

Extracting metals and equilibria

This topic covers the extraction of metals from their ores based on their position in the reactivity series, including the use of carbon and electrolysis. It also explores alternative biological extraction methods, the environmental and economic benefits of recycling, and the application of life-cycle assessments to products.

Obtaining and using metals, Reversible reactions and equilibria

Separate chemistry 1

This topic covers the specific properties of transition metals, including their high melting points, densities, and ability to form coloured compounds. It also explores the practical applications of alloys, the chemical process of corrosion, and methods for preventing the rusting of iron.

Transition metals, alloys and corrosion, Dynamic equilibria, Quantitative analysis +1 more

Groups in the periodic table

This topic covers the properties and trends of Group 1 (alkali metals) in the periodic table. Students learn about their physical properties, such as softness and low melting points, and their chemical reactivity with water, which increases down the group due to electronic configuration.

Group 1, Group 7, 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 covers the nature of crude oil as a finite resource and its separation into useful fractions via fractional distillation. It also explores the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels, the environmental impact of pollutants like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, and the process of cracking to produce smaller, more useful alkenes.

Fuels, Earth and atmospheric science

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, Alcohols and carboxylic acids, Qualitative analysis: tests for ions +2 more