Chemistry

Chemistry provides pupils with a foundational understanding of the composition, properties, and transformations of matter. The course develops knowledge of the particulate nature of matter, introducing the particle model to explain solids, liquids, gases, gas pressure, and changes of state.

Pupils will study:

• Atoms, elements and compounds: The Dalton atomic model, distinctions between atoms, elements, and compounds, chemical symbols and formulae, and conservation of mass in physical and chemical changes.

• Pure and impure substances: The concept of purity, mixtures and dissolving, diffusion, and separation techniques including filtration, evaporation, distillation, and chromatography, alongside methods of identifying pure substances.

• Chemical reactions: The rearrangement of atoms, representation through formulae and equations, and key reaction types such as combustion, thermal decomposition, oxidation, and displacement. Pupils will also examine acids, alkalis, neutralisation, the pH scale, indicators, and the role of catalysts.

• Energetics: Qualitative energy changes during state transitions, and the distinction between exothermic and endothermic reactions.

• The Periodic Table: Principles underpinning Mendeleev’s table, organisation into periods and groups, classification of metals and non-metals, prediction of reaction patterns, and the chemical properties of oxides.

• Materials: The reactivity series, extraction of metals using carbon, and qualitative properties of ceramics, polymers, and composites.

• Earth and atmosphere: The composition and structure of the Earth, the rock cycle, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, finite resources and recycling, the carbon cycle, atmospheric composition, and the impact of human activity on climate through carbon dioxide emissions.