AQA A-Level Chemistry
Explore your course, one topic at a time.
The AQA A-Level Chemistry specification covers 33 topics and 79 subtopics with 1050 learning objectives (7405). Use the topic browser below to explore subtopics, exam tips, common mistakes, and key terminology for each area of the course.
- 33 topics · 79 subtopics
- 9 study pages
- 1050 learning objectives
Explore your topics
33 topics · 79 subtopics
Physical chemistry11 topics · 36 subtopics
Atomic structure
Fundamental particlesThe atom has been rebuilt every time an experiment refused to fit the old picture.9 objectives · 1 study page- Mass number and isotopesThe atomic number Z is the number of protons in the nucleus, and it alone fixes which element you have; change it and you have a different element.21 objectives
- Electron configurationElectrons fill sub-shells in order of increasing energy: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p.9 objectives
Amount of substance
Relative atomic mass and relative molecular massRelative atomic mass is a ratio, so it has no units.6 objectives- The mole and the Avogadro constantA mole is a counted amount: it contains as many particles as the Avogadro constant, 6.022 × 10²³ mol⁻¹.6 objectives
- The ideal gas equationThe ideal gas equation is pV = nRT, and it only works when every quantity is in base SI units.6 objectives
- Empirical and molecular formulaThe empirical formula gives the ratio of atoms, reduced as far as it will go, so ethanoic acid and glucose both reduce to CH₂O even though their molecules…12 objectives
- Balanced equations and associated calculationsA full equation shows every substance taking part, with correct formulae and, where required, state symbols.9 objectives
Bonding
Ionic bondingIonic bonding forms when electrons transfer from a metal to a non-metal, leaving oppositely charged ions.9 objectives- Nature of covalent and dative covalent bondsA single covalent bond is one pair of electrons shared between two atoms.12 objectives
- Metallic bondingIn a metal each atom releases its outer-shell electrons into the structure, leaving a regular lattice of positive ions in a sea of delocalised electrons…3 objectives
- Bonding and physical propertiesFour structures cover every solid on this course.6 objectives
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Inorganic chemistry6 topics · 10 subtopics
Periodicity
ClassificationThe Periodic Table is built in order of increasing proton number, and each element's position follows from its electron configuration.3 objectives- Physical properties of Period 3 elementsAcross Na to Ar the nuclear charge rises by one proton per element while the outer electrons all enter the same third shell, so shielding hardly changes.6 objectives
- Group 2, the alkaline earth metalsDown Group 2 from Mg to Ba each element adds a complete electron shell, so atomic radius increases.9 objectives · 1 study page
Group 7(17), the halogens
Trends in propertiesTwo trends that run in opposite directions.21 objectives- Uses of chlorine and chlorate(I)Chlorine dissolves in water and reacts with it: Cl₂ + H₂O ⇌ HClO + HCl, or ionically Cl₂ + H₂O ⇌ 2H⁺ + Cl⁻ + ClO⁻.18 objectives
- Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides (A-level only)Sodium reacts vigorously with cold water: 2Na + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂.3 objectives · 1 study page
Transition metals (A-level only)
General properties of transition metals (A-level only)A transition metal is a d-block element that forms at least one stable ion with a partially filled d sub-level, and that single definition does all the work.15 objectives- Substitution reactions (A-level only)Haem is an octahedral iron(II) complex.15 objectives
- Shapes of complex ions (A-level only)Ligand size decides the shape.9 objectives
- Formation of coloured ions (A-level only)Each combination of metal, oxidation state, ligand and co-ordination number gives a different d orbital splitting and therefore a different colour, making…18 objectives
- Variable oxidation states (A-level only)The 4s and 3d sub-levels lie close in energy, so once 4s electrons are removed, 3d electrons can be lost without a large jump in ionisation energy.9 objectives
- Catalysts (A-level only)A catalyst provides an alternative route with a lower activation energy and is chemically unchanged at the end of the reaction.21 objectives
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Organic chemistry16 topics · 33 subtopics
Introduction to organic chemistry
NomenclatureSix ways of writing the same molecule, each showing different information.9 objectives- Reaction mechanismsA mechanism details how a reaction happens: which bonds break, which form, and where electrons go.15 objectives
- IsomerismStructural isomers have the same molecular formula but their atoms are joined in a different order.15 objectives
Alkanes
Fractional distillation of crude oilTwo words, each doing work.6 objectives- Modification of alkanes by crackingFractional distillation delivers more long chain alkane than anyone wants and less petrol than everyone wants, so the long chains are broken up.9 objectives
- Combustion of alkanesBurning an alkane is strongly exothermic because the bonds made in the products, C=O in carbon dioxide and O–H in water, are stronger overall than the C–C…15 objectives
- Chlorination of alkanesMethane and chlorine do not react in the dark, but in ultraviolet light they react readily: CH₄ + Cl₂ → CH₃Cl + HCl.6 objectives
Halogenoalkanes
Nucleophilic substitutionHalogens are more electronegative than carbon, so the shared pair in a carbon–halogen bond is pulled towards the halogen.6 objectives- EliminationHydroxide ion can behave in two ways towards 2-bromopropane, and both happen at the same time.15 objectives · 1 study page
- Ozone depletionOzone, O₃, forms naturally high in the atmosphere: ultraviolet light splits O₂ into oxygen atoms, and each atom joins another O₂ molecule to give O₃.18 objectives
Alkenes
Structure, bonding and reactivityAlkenes contain only carbon and hydrogen, so they are hydrocarbons, and they contain at least one carbon–carbon double bond, so they are unsaturated.6 objectives- Addition reactions of alkenesWhen a reagent such as hydrogen bromide adds to an unsymmetrical alkene, two products are possible because H⁺ can attach to either double-bond carbon.6 objectives
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About this course
About AQA A-Level Chemistry
AQA A-Level Chemistry is a rigorous, linear two-year course that builds on your GCSE knowledge to explore the material world in much greater depth. The specification is divided into three core branches: physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and organic chemistry. You will develop a strong theoretical understanding of how atoms interact, why chemical reactions occur, and how to predict and control chemical change. Alongside the theory, you will engage in practical work that hones your investigation and analysis skills, preparing you for university-level science or careers in chemistry, medicine, engineering, and beyond.
The course has been designed to be co-taught with the standalone AS qualification, which covers the first half of the full A-Level content. This means you will study shared topics in Year 12 before branching into the more challenging A-Level material in Year 13. The specification places a clear emphasis on 'how science works'—not just learning facts but applying your understanding to unfamiliar contexts, designing experiments, and evaluating data. You will also learn to communicate complex scientific ideas effectively, both in written answers and through mathematical analysis.
One of the key strengths of AQA A-Level Chemistry is its integrated approach to practical work. Throughout the course, you will complete twelve required practical activities that are assessed by your teacher and lead to a separate ‘practical endorsement’. Unlike some other boards, the practical work itself is not directly examined in a timed assessment; instead, questions in your written papers will test your understanding of the techniques and the underlying theory. This structure allows you to focus on genuinely developing your practical competence without the high-stakes pressure of a practical exam.
Assessment Structure
AQA A-Level Chemistry is assessed through three written examination papers, all taken at the end of the two-year course. Paper 1 (2 hours, 105 marks, 35% of A-level) covers physical chemistry and inorganic chemistry, including relevant practical skills. Paper 2 (2 hours, 105 marks, 35% of A-level) covers physical chemistry and organic chemistry, along with relevant practical skills. Paper 3 (2 hours, 90 marks, 30% of A-level) is synoptic, meaning it can draw on any content from the entire specification, and it includes a 30-mark multiple-choice section. In addition, students must complete a separate practical endorsement, which is assessed internally by teachers and reported as a Pass or Not Classified alongside the A-level grade. There is no coursework component.
Why Choose AQA?
- AQA is one of the most widely taken exam boards in the UK, which means there is a huge range of high-quality resources available - from official textbooks to online revision platforms like MasteryMind. You’ll never be short of past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports to help you refine your exam technique and identify exactly what examiners are looking for.
- The practical endorsement system removes the stress of a timed practical exam. Instead, you simply need to demonstrate a set of key competencies across twelve required practicals during normal lessons. This allows you to take the time to truly master laboratory skills, and as long as you engage consistently, achieving a Pass is very manageable.
- AQA’s question style is often praised for being clear and consistent. While all exam boards cover the same core topics, AQA tends to set questions that feel logical and predictable once you’ve practised with past papers. This can make revising more straightforward because you learn the patterns of assessment and can apply them confidently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between AS and A-Level Chemistry with AQA?
How is the practical work assessed in AQA A-Level Chemistry?
Is AQA A-Level Chemistry harder than other exam boards like Edexcel or OCR?
What topics are covered in Paper 1, Paper 2, and Paper 3?
Can I take AQA A-Level Chemistry if I only did Combined Science at GCSE?
Assessment and exam guidance
Assessment Objectives
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures
Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures in a theoretical context, in a practical context, when handling qualitative data and when handling quantitative data
Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence, including in relation to issues, to make judgements and reach conclusions and to develop and refine practical design and procedures
Exam Structure
Paper 1: Physical and inorganic chemistry
2h
Duration
105
Marks
35%
Weighting
Paper 2: Physical and organic chemistry
2h
Duration
105
Marks
35%
Weighting
Paper 3: Synoptic chemistry and practical skills
2h
Duration
90
Marks
30%
Weighting
Tips and common mistakes
Common Exam Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exams
- •saying earlier models were simply wrong rather than superseded when new evidence appeared
- •crediting Rutherford with discovering the neutron instead of Chadwick
- •describing electrons as orbiting like planets in the current accepted model rather than occupying orbitals
- •giving a list of dates and names with no experimental evidence attached to any of them
- •quoting absolute masses in kilograms when the question asks for relative mass
- •writing the electron's relative mass as zero rather than 1/1840 or 0.0005
- •giving the neutron a small charge because the name sounds like it should be slightly negative
- •leaving the sign off the electron charge so it reads 1 rather than −1
Top Examiner Tips
Expert advice for exam success
- •Pair every model change with the evidence that forced it; a name on its own rarely scores.
- •If asked why a model changed, say what the old model predicted and what was actually observed.
- •Keep answers about the nucleus quantitative where you can: nearly all the mass, almost none of the volume.
- •Draw the three-by-three table (particle, relative charge, relative mass) from memory before you start the question.
- •If the question gives you masses in kilograms, divide by the proton mass to get back to the relative scale.
- •Use the electron's negligible mass explicitly when explaining why mass number counts only protons and neutrons.
- •Quote the two order-of-magnitude sizes when asked to compare the nucleus with the atom; a comparison scores better than an adjective.
- •Say electrostatic attraction, not just attraction, whenever you explain what holds electrons to the nucleus.
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