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Chemistry There are many reasons to study Chemistry, even if you aren't planning to pursue a career in science: Chemistry is everywhere in the world around us! It's in the food we eat, clothes we wear, water we drink, medicines, fuel for transport we use, cleaners and much more. Chemistry helps you to understand current events, including news about crude oil, pollution, and the environment. Chemistry teaches many useful skills; there is a large emphasis on practical work, allowing development of practical dexterity and investigative techniques. Other skills such as manipulation of mathematical equations and analytical techniques are developed through the course. Chemistry helps you to grasp the importance to scientific methods of accurate experimental work and to develop a logical approach to problem-solving Chemistry is a fun yet challenging course! You will observe and learn about reactions that change colours, produce bubbles, give out or take in heat and change states. But you will also need to put your mind to understand new concepts, such as reactions that go in reverse. Please note that if you have a strong interest in Biology and might consider Biology for A level, you would be advised to choose Chemistry to GCSE. Many other Science related careers also require or look favourably upon Chemistry. More about the course We currently study the Edexcel International GCSE (IGCSE) in Chemistry. The qualification is assessed via two externally assessed written papers, sat at the end of Year 11. There is no controlled assessment element. The first assessment is a two-hour paper contributing 110 marks, while the second is a one and a quarter hour paper contributing 70 marks to a total of 180 marks. There are 4 main topic areas that will be studied, some of which will be familiar from your Year 8/9 studies. Topics introduced before Year 10 will be reinforced and secured in the GCSE Principles of chemistry, e.g. states of matter, solubility, atomic structure and chemical bonding Inorganic chemistry, e.g. Groups in the periodic table, gases in the atmosphere, chemical reactivity, acids and alkalis Physical chemistry, e.g. energy in reactions, speed of reactions Organic chemistry, learning all about carbon chemistry, e.g. crude oil and fractional distillation, alcohols, polymers The course is taught by all members of the chemistry department who have vast experience and a passion for the subject. Dr S Hardy Head of Chemistry s.hardy@merchanttaylors.com
