Chemistry

A-Level Chemistry attempts to answer the big question 'what is the world made of' and it's 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.

Subject Content

3.1 Physical Chemistry

• 3.1.1 Atomic structure
• 3.1.2 Amount of substance
• 3.1.3 Bonding
• 3.1.4 Energetics
• 3.1.5 Kinetics
• 3.1.6 Chemical equilibria, Le Chaterlier's principle and Kc
• 3.1.7 Oxidation, reduction and redox equations
• 3.1.8 Thermodynamics
• 3.1.9 Rate equations
• 3.1.10 Equilibrium constant Kp for homogenous systems
• 3.1.11 Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells
• 3.1.12 Acids and bases

3.2 Inorganic Chemistry

• 3.2.1 Periodicity
• 3.2.2 Group 2, the alkaline earth metals
• 3.2.3 Group 7, the halogens
• 3.2.4 Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides
• 3.2.5 Transition metals
• 3.2.6 Reactions of ions in aqueous solution

3.3 Organic Chemistry

• 3.3.1 Introduction to organic chemistry
• 3.3.2 Alkanes
• 3.3.3 Halogenalkanes
• 3.3.4 Alkenes
• 3.3.5 Alcohols
• 3.3.6 Organic analysis
• 3.3.7 Optical isomerism
• 3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones
• 3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
• 3.3.10 Aromatic chemistry
• 3.3.11 Amines
• 3.3.12 Polymers
• 3.3.13 Amino acids, proteins and DNA
• 3.3.14 Organic synthesis
• 3.3.15 Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
• 3.3.16 Chromatography

Assessments

Chemistry, at A Level, builds on the knowledge and practical skills gained at KS4 as scholars embark upon a journey through the AQA A-level Biology 7405 course.

In A-level Chemistry, scholars work towards 100% terminal examinations, comprising of three papers.  

Paper 1 (35%)

• Relevant physical chemistry topics (sections 3.1.1 to 3.1.4, 3.1.6 to 3.1.8 and 3.1.10 to 3.1.12)
• Inorganic chemistry (section 3.2)
• Relevant practical skills
• 105 marks of short and long answers

Paper 2 (35%)

• Relevant physical chemistry topics (sections 3.1.2 to 3.1.6 and 3.1.9)
• Organic chemistry (section 3.3)
• Relevant practical skills
• 105 marks of short and long answers

Paper 3 (30%)

• Any content
• Any practical skills
• 40 makes of questions on practical techniques and data analysis
• 20 marks of questions testing across the specification
• 30 marks of multiple choice questions

Useful Links

Course Information

AQA A Level Chemistry 

Possible Degree Options

• Chemistry
• Biology
• Pre-clinical medicine
• Mathematics
• Pharmacology

Possible Career Options

• Analytical chemist
• Chemical engineer
• Pharmacologist
• Doctor
• Research scientist (physical sciences)
• Toxicologist
• Chartered certified accountant
• Environmental consultant
• Higher education lecturer
• Patent attorney
• Science writer
• Secondary school teacher