Lessons · A/L Chemistry

Unit 1 · Atomic Structure

• Atomic theory and the subatomic particles
• Electromagnetic radiation and the hydrogen spectrum
• Quantum numbers, orbitals and electron configuration
• The periodic table and atomic and ionic radii
• Ionisation energy, electron gain energy and electronegativity

Unit 2 · Structure and Bonding

• Ionic bonding, lattices and metallic bonding
• Covalent bonds, Lewis structures and resonance
• Shapes of molecules and ions (VSEPR theory)
• Hybridisation, σ and π bonds and giant covalent structures
• Bond polarity and intermolecular forces

Unit 3 · Chemical Calculations

• Relative atomic mass, the mole and molar mass
• Percentage composition, empirical and molecular formulae
• Oxidation numbers, redox and naming inorganic compounds
• Balancing equations, redox equations and reacting quantities
• Concentration of solutions and titration calculations

Unit 4 · Gaseous State of Matter

• The gas laws and the ideal gas equation
• Dalton's law of partial pressures and mole fraction
• The kinetic molecular theory of gases
• The Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution of molecular speeds
• Real gases, the van der Waals equation and critical temperature

Unit 5 · Energetics

• System, surroundings and enthalpy change
• Standard enthalpy changes and calorimetry
• Hess's law and bond enthalpies
• Lattice enthalpy and the Born–Haber cycle
• Entropy, Gibbs energy and spontaneity

Unit 6 · Chemistry of s, p and d Block Elements

• s-block elements: Groups 1 and 2
• p-block: Groups 13 and 14 and the period 3 oxides and chlorides
• Group 15: nitrogen, phosphorus and their compounds
• Group 16: oxygen, sulfur and their compounds
• Groups 17 and 18: the halogens and the noble gases
• d-block: transition metals and complex ions
• Qualitative analysis of cations and anions

Unit 7 · Basic Concepts of Organic Chemistry

• Organic compounds, formulae and functional groups
• IUPAC nomenclature of organic compounds
• Isomerism: structural, geometric and optical
• Electronic effects: inductive effect and resonance
• Bond fission, reagents and types of organic reactions

Unit 8 · Hydrocarbons and Halohydrocarbons

• Alkanes and free-radical substitution
• Alkenes and electrophilic addition
• Alkynes: addition reactions and the acidic hydrogen
• Benzene and electrophilic substitution
• Alkyl halides: substitution, elimination and Grignard reagents

Unit 9 · Oxygen Containing Organic Compounds

• Alcohols: classification, properties, preparation and reactions
• Phenol and ethers
• Aldehydes and ketones: nucleophilic addition and tests
• Carboxylic acids and acid strength
• Acid chlorides, anhydrides, esters and amides

Unit 10 · Nitrogen Containing Organic Compounds

• Amines: classification, preparation and basicity
• Reactions of amines and aniline; nitrous acid
• Diazonium salts and azo dyes
• Nitro compounds, nitriles, amino acids and proteins

Unit 11 · Chemical Kinetics

• Rate of reaction and how it is measured
• Rate law, order of reaction and the rate constant
• Integrated rate equations and half-life
• Collision theory, activation energy and catalysts
• Reaction mechanisms and the rate-determining step

Unit 12 · Equilibrium

• Dynamic equilibrium and the equilibrium constants Kc and Kp
• Le Chatelier's principle and factors affecting equilibrium
• Acids, bases, pH, Ka, Kb and hydrolysis of salts
• Buffer solutions, acid–base indicators and titration curves
• Solubility product, precipitation and the common ion effect
• Phase equilibria: phase diagrams, Raoult's law, distillation and partition

Unit 13 · Electrochemistry

• Conductance of electrolytic solutions
• Electrode potentials, the standard hydrogen electrode and the electrochemical series
• Galvanic cells, the Nernst equation and corrosion
• Electrolysis and Faraday's laws

Unit 14 · Industrial Chemistry and Environmental Pollution

• Industrial chemistry: the Haber, Contact and Solvay processes
• Sodium hydroxide, magnesium, iron and titanium dioxide
• Soap, biodiesel, polymers and essential oils
• Environmental pollution: greenhouse effect, ozone, acid rain, smog and water quality