Chemistry

OCR Specification A

The OCR (A) specification will allow you to understand the fundamental building blocks of the universe and how and why they interact. It is up to date and relevant, dealing with current issues such as the environment, renewable energy and drug manufacture. You will develop the skills to analyse and interpret information from data and spectra to identify unknown substances; you will learn how to manipulate equations to process numerical problems and make predictions about the nature of chemical reactions. You will devise schemes to synthesise complex organic compounds and plan a practical process to do so. This is achieved by teaching the underlying principles of the subject and then cementing this with a large amount of practical work which is a key element of the course; you can expect to carry out practical work every week, developing your manipulative skills to a high standard. There is also a lecture trip in Year 12 where topics are explored beyond the A Level course. The final assessment includes three exams, two of 2 hours 15 minutes containing multiple choice and written response questions covering material on different sections of the course and one of 1 hour 30 minutes containing longer synoptic questions. There is also ongoing assessment of practical skills that does not contribute to the final grade but is recorded on your final certificate.

Requirements: 7 in Chemistry and Mathematics at GCSE

Module 1 Development of practical skills in chemistry Practical skills assessed in a written examination Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement

Module 2 Foundations in chemistry Atoms, compounds, molecules and equations Amount of substance Acid-base and redox reactions Electrons, bonding and structure

Module 3 Periodic Table and energy The periodic table and periodicity Group 2 and the halogens Qualitative analysis Enthalpy changes Reaction rates and equilibrium (qualitative)

Module 4 Core organic chemistry

Module 5 Physical chemistry and transition elements Basic concepts Hydrocarbons Alcohols and haloalkanes Organic synthesis Analytical techniques (IR and MS)

Reaction rates and equilibrium (quantitative) pH and buffers Enthalpy, entropy and free energy Redox and electrode potentials Transition elements

Module 6 Organic chemistry and analysis Aromatic compounds Carbonyl compounds Carboxylic acids and esters Nitrogen compounds Polymers Organic synthesis Chromatography and spectroscopy (NMR)

Chemistry is not the easiest of subjects, but it’s the best feeling in the world when you finally understand its principles. Anita