Chemistry

SUBJECT overview

We follow the Edexcel syllabus in chemistry. In both AS and A2 the course is split into 3 units. Learners will sit their terminal examinations in June. Assessed practical make up the units studied in AS and A2 are as follows:

Unit 1: The Core Principles of Chemistry
Unit 2: Application of Core Principles of Chemistry
Unit 3: Chemistry Laboratory Skills I (10%)
Unit 4: General Principles of Chemistry I – Rates, Equilibria and Further Organic Chemistry
Unit 5: General Principles of Chemistry II – Transition Metals and Organic Nitrogen Chemistry
Unit 6: Chemistry Laboratory Skills II (10.0%)

unit overview - autumn term

A2 Chemistry
Skills	After carrying out the practical tasks in this topic, students will gain the following skills How to monitor the rate of reaction using the continuous monitoring method Be able to select the best technique for monitoring rate of reaction Be able to manipulate apparatus for gas collection methods.
Knowledge	Students will learn the following key points: The format of the rate equation How to derive a rate equation from experimental data. The significance of the rate equation in understanding kinetics and the rate determining step. The structure of Carbonyl compounds The use of Organic mechanisms in Carbonyl Chemistry and the discovery of the structure of Benzene as an example of evolution of scientific thought.
Rationale	This section builds on and develops earlier study of rate of reaction and organic from Year 12. Students have met aldehydes and ketones and some of the key terms. The topic builds upon their understanding and introduces them to mechanisms. Students will learn that increasing temperature is an effective way to increase rate of reaction. This has implications in the industry as well as introducing them to the idea of reaction rate versus yield. Students will discover the importance of the rate equation as a quantitative tool. Students will use their knowledge of organic analysis to evaluate different methods used in the pharmaceutical industry to get effective yield.

unit overview - spring term

A2 Chemistry
Skills	After carrying out the practical tasks in this topic, students will gain the following skills How to monitor neutralisation reactions using the pH probe The importance of buffer solutions Data logging as an IT technique in Chemistry.
Knowledge	Students will learn the following key points: The application of acid base equilibria in determining pH The significance of pH in Biochemical reactions such as enzyme activity The use of Kp to calculate equilibrium position of gaseous reactions. The reactions of carboxylic acids and esters
Rationale	This section builds upon the earlier organic work and introduces theory of acidity and bases. The acid base equilibria topic will allow students to calculate pH of buffer systems and interpret data from titration curves. This will be invaluable when working in the pharmaceutical industry or with biochemical reactions such as enzymes. The carboxylic acids and Esters topic has cross-links with the food industry in particular flavouring and perfume.

unit overview - summer term

A2 Chemistry
Skills	After carrying out the practical tasks in this topic, students will gain the following skills Interpret the reactions of inorganic ions in solution Be able to use redox titration to determine the endpoint without the use of an indicator
Knowledge	Students will learn the following key points: The reactions of transition metal complex ions in solution The properties of D block elements The variety of organic compounds that contain nitrogen The use of entropy data to determine spontaneity
Rationale	This section introduces D block chemistry as a relatively new topic. Students will learn about the variety of everyday scenarios that require transition metals such as pigment in paint and catalytic converters. Entropy and thermodynamics will help to explain why chemical reactions occur spontaneously. The nitrogen chemistry overlaps with organic structures such as DNA and Amino acids. The chemistry forms the basis for understanding the natural polymers that surround us and make up complex molecules such as protein synthesis.

knowledge Organiser

A knowledge organiser is an important document that lists the important facts that learners should know by the end of a unit of work. It is important that learners can recall these facts easily, so that when they are answering challenging questions in their assessments and GCSE and A-Level exams, they are not wasting precious time in exams focusing on remembering simple facts, but making complex arguments, and calculations.

We encourage all pupils to use them by doing the following:

Quiz themselves at home, using the read, write, cover, check method.
Practise spelling key vocabulary
Further researching people, events and processes most relevant to the unit.