AS/A2 Chemistry

AS/A2 Chemistry
The course is designed to enable you to:

• Develop essential knowledge and understanding of chemistry
• Apply your knowledge and understanding to new situations
• Develop practical skills in the laboratory
• Appreciate the link between theory and experiment
• Realise the contribution of chemistry to society
• Solve problems often applying mathematical skills
• Develop an understanding of how science works

Is it for me?
The course suits those who want to know more about the underlying nature of our world. You need to be logical and think clearly. Assessment is predominantly exam based.
What's involved?
Foundation Chemistry
This unit is the foundation of your AS studies. It builds on your knowledge of Chemistry from GCSE and takes it much further. Atomic structure is considered, together with ideas of chemical bonding. Chemical calculations occupy a large proportion of this unit. The relationship between atomic structure and the position in the periodic table is developed using Period 3 elements. The principles of organic chemistry are introduced.
Chemistry in Action
This unit introduces chemical energetics, kinetics and equilibria. The importance of factors affecting rate and position of equilibrium and the yield of a reaction is studied. Redox reactions and their application to metal extraction build on work undertaken at GCSE. You will consider economic and social factors in metal extraction as well as the underlying chemical principles. Group 7, the halogens, and group 2, the alkaline earth metals, are studied in some depth and practical work is carried out to support the theoretical principles. Organic chemistry is developed to embrace a range of organic compounds and an introduction to analytic techniques.
Investigative and Practical Skills in AS Chemistry
The content of the previous two units provides a basis for different practical topics which may be used for experimental and investigative skills. The PSA, Practical Skills Assessment, involves internal assessment throughout the AS course of your ability to follow and undertake certain standard practical activities across the areas of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. The ISA, Investigative Skills Assignment, involves practical work to collect and process data and to answer questions in a written ISA test which is linked to the practical work.
Kinetics, Equilibria and Organic Chemistry
This unit develops the concepts of physical chemistry introduced in the AS units. Kinetics and equilibria are both treated quantitatively. Acids, bases, buffer solutions and changes in pH during titrations are studied in depth. The study of organic chemistry is extended to cover many more types of compounds. Spectroscopic techniques are studied to determine molecular formulae and structure, with an emphasis on problem solving rather than spectroscopic theory.
Energetics, Redox and Inorganic Chemistry
The study of redox reactions is extended to cover electrode potentials and their applications. The characteristic properties of transition metal complexes are studied including their uses in medicine and in industry as catalysts. The reactions of metal ions in aqueous solution is systematised through an understanding of hydrolysis and substitution reactions of selected aqua ions.
Progression
Past students have gone onto degree courses in a range of Chemical and Biological subjects, including Medicine, Veterinary Science, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, Materials, Science and Forensic Science.