Chemistry (KS5 - Post 16)

Edexcel's GCE in Chemistry (new specification) comprises six units and contains an Advanced Subsidiary subset of three units. This subset forms the first half of the GCE course and may be awarded as a discrete A/S qualification, or contribute 50% of a student's Advanced GCE marks. The full Advanced GCE qualification is awarded on the basis of the three AS units plus three further A2 units.

Teachers

• Mr R. Ayre
• Mrs R. Fink
• Miss S Pollen
• Miss S Strass

Years 12-13 (A/S & A2 levels)

Diagram of the main concepts studied in A/S and A2 level Chemistry

Year 12 (A/S)

Unit 1 - The Core Principles of Chemistry

• Formulae, equations and amounts of substance
• Energetics
• Atomic structure and the periodic table
• Bonding
• Introductory organic chemistry - alkanes and alkenes.

  Contexts: Biological systems, Climate change, Pollution, Fuels.

Unit 2 - Application of Core Principles of Chemistry

• Shapes of molecules and ions
• Intermediate bonding and bond polarity
• Intermolecular forces
• Redox
• The periodic table - groups 2 and 7
• Kinetics
• Chemical equilibria
• Organic chemistry - alcohols and halogenoalkanes
• Mechanisms
• Mass spectra and IR
• Green chemistry.

  Contexts: Climate change, Sustainability, Food processing, Pharmaceutical industry, Nanotechnology, Informatics, New uses of chemicals.

Unit 3: Chemistry Laboratory Skills I

Chemistry laboratory skills are internally assessed through a general practical competence assessment, and three set assessed practical tasks consisting of qualitative observation, quantitative measurement and preparation.

Year 13 (A2)

Unit 4 - General Principles of Chemistry I - Rates, Equilibria and Further Organic Chemistry

• How fast? - rates
• How far? - entropy
• Equilibria
• Application of rates and equilibrium
• Acid/base equilibria
• Further organic chemistry - chirality, carbonyl compounds, carboxylic acids and their derivatives
• Spectroscopy and chromatography.

  Contexts: Biological systems, Food, Yields and atom economy, Manufacturing, Quality control.

Unit 5 - General Principles of Chemistry II - Transition Metals and Organic Nitrogen Chemistry

• Redox and the chemistry of the transition metals
• Organic chemistry - arenes, nitrogen compounds and synthesis.

  Contexts: Fuel cells, Catalysts, Pharmaceutical industry, New applications.

Unit 6: Chemistry Laboratory Skills II

These are examined internally through a general practical competence assessment and three set practical tasks consisting of qualitative observation, quantitative measurement and preparation. There is a choice of completing the quantitative measurement and preparation either as separate assessed practical tasks, or together in one multi-stage practical assessment. No advance planning is required.

Links