1Atomic Structure
Protons, neutrons and electrons; isotopes and relative atomic mass; shells, sub-shells and orbitals; and ionisation energy.
9 sub-topics · Sub-atomic particles: charges, masses; nuclear atom · Proton/nucleon number; particles in atoms and ions …
Atoms, Molecules and Stoichiometry
Relative masses, the mole, formulae and equations, and every reacting-quantities calculation built from them.
7 sub-topics · Relative atomic, isotopic, molecular, formula mass · The mole and Avogadro constant …
Chemical Bonding
Electronegativity, the three bond types, shapes by VSEPR, and the intermolecular forces that decide physical properties.
9 sub-topics · Electronegativity and trends · Ionic and metallic bonding …
States of Matter
The ideal gas equation, and reading structure and bonding off melting point, boiling point and conductivity.
4 sub-topics · Ideal vs real gases; pV = nRT · Lattice structures: ionic, molecular, giant covalent, metallic …
Chemical Energetics
Enthalpy changes, calorimetry, bond energies, and Hess's law cycles.
5 sub-topics · Enthalpy change; exothermic/endothermic; pathway diagrams · Enthalpy of reaction, formation, combustion, neutralisation …
Electrochemistry
Oxidation numbers, balancing redox equations, and identifying oxidising and reducing agents.
3 sub-topics · Oxidation numbers and balancing · Redox and disproportionation …
Equilibria
Dynamic equilibrium, Le Chatelier's principle, Kc and Kp, and Brønsted–Lowry acids and bases.
8 sub-topics · Dynamic equilibrium · Le Chatelier's principle …
Reaction Kinetics
Collision theory, activation energy, the Boltzmann distribution, and how catalysts change a reaction pathway.
4 sub-topics · Rate; collisions; concentration and pressure · Activation energy and Boltzmann distribution …
Chemical Periodicity
Period 3 property trends, and how each element reacts with oxygen, chlorine and water.
7 sub-topics · Period 3 physical property trends · Period 3 elements with oxygen, chlorine, water …
Group 2
Group 2 metals, oxides, hydroxides and carbonates, and the solubility trends that follow from them.
5 sub-topics · Metals with oxygen, water, acids · Oxides, hydroxides, carbonates with water and acids …
Group 17
The halogens as oxidising agents, halide tests, and chlorine's disproportionation chemistry.
7 sub-topics · Colours and volatility of Cl2, Br2, I2 · Halogen bond strength trend …
Group IV (Group 14)
Carbon to lead: how the elements change down the group, their tetrachlorides and oxides, and the +2 and +4 oxidation states.
5 sub-topics · Element properties; semiconductors · Tetrachlorides: bonding, shape, volatility …
Nitrogen and Sulfur
Ammonia and the nitrogen oxides, and their roles in fertilisers, smog and acid rain.
8 sub-topics · Unreactivity of nitrogen · Basicity of ammonia; ammonium ion …
Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Functional groups, nomenclature, mechanism vocabulary, and structural and stereo-isomerism.
8 sub-topics · Functional groups and homologous series · Types of formulae …
Hydrocarbons
Alkanes and alkenes: free-radical substitution, electrophilic addition, and addition polymerisation.
8 sub-topics · Preparing alkanes · Combustion and free-radical substitution …
Halogen Compounds
Halogenoalkanes: nucleophilic substitution and elimination, and the SN1/SN2 mechanisms behind them.
6 sub-topics · Preparing halogenoalkanes · Classifying halogenoalkanes …
Hydroxy Compounds
Alcohols: oxidation levels, dehydration, esterification, and the classification tests.
6 sub-topics · Preparing alcohols · Combustion, substitution, reaction with sodium …
Carbonyl Compounds
Aldehydes and ketones: HCN addition, and the tests that tell them apart.
5 sub-topics · Preparing aldehydes and ketones · Reduction; HCN addition and mechanism …
Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives
Carboxylic acid reactions, and ester formation and hydrolysis.
3 sub-topics · Preparing carboxylic acids · Reactions with metals, alkalis, carbonates; reduction …
Nitrogen Compounds
Primary amines and nitriles at AS level.
2 sub-topics · Primary amines from halogenoalkanes · Nitriles and hydroxynitriles
Polymerisation
Addition polymers, their repeat units, and the problem of disposing of them.
2 sub-topics · Addition polymerisation; repeat units · Disposal of poly(alkene)s
Organic Synthesis
Identifying functional groups and planning multi-step synthetic routes with AS-level reactions.
2 sub-topics · Identifying groups; predicting reactions · Multi-step synthetic routes
Analytical Techniques
Infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, and reading a fragmentation pattern.
4 sub-topics · IR spectroscopy · Mass spectrometry and relative atomic mass …