Chemistry
The optional Chemistry module: atomic structure, bonding, quantitative chemistry, reactions, organic chemistry and analysis.
Atomic structure
8 min read
Sub-atomic particles, atomic and mass number, electron configurations, isotopes and relative atomic mass.
The periodic table & group chemistry
9 min read
How the table is arranged, the link to electron configuration, and the trends in Groups 1, 17 and 18.
Bonding, structure & states
11 min read
Ionic, covalent and metallic bonding, how structure controls properties, and the three states of matter.
Reactions & equations
8 min read
Writing and balancing chemical equations, state symbols, ionic and half-equations, and reversible reactions.
Quantitative chemistry
11 min read
Moles, the mole calculations, empirical formulae, reacting masses, gas volumes, concentrations and yield.
Oxidation, reduction & redox
7 min read
Oxidation and reduction by oxygen and electrons, oxidation states, and identifying oxidising and reducing agents.
Acids, bases & salts
8 min read
Acids and bases, the reactions that make salts, strong vs weak, the pH scale and neutralisation.
Rates of reaction
8 min read
What changes a reaction rate, collision theory, activation energy and catalysts.
Energetics
8 min read
Exothermic and endothermic reactions, energy level diagrams, calorimetry and bond energies.
Electrolysis
8 min read
The electrolysis cell, what happens at each electrode, predicting products and writing half-equations.
Organic chemistry
12 min read
Hydrocarbons from crude oil, alkanes and alkenes, polymers, alcohols and carboxylic acids.
Metals
8 min read
The reactivity series, displacement, uses and alloys, extraction from ores and transition metals.
Separation & chemical tests
9 min read
Separation techniques and chromatography, plus the standard tests for gases, ions and water.
Air & water
6 min read
The composition of air, greenhouse gases and pollutants, and the treatment of drinking water.