Chemistry - A Level

Chemistry is concerned with the study of materials, their properties, reactions and uses. All students studying Chemistry at Coleg Cambria are encouraged to develop personal and organisational skills through their learning and to aspire to achieve their academic potential.

There is a large practical element of the course and the theory and practical work are well integrated. Students experience working independently and as part of a group through both. Our Chemistry students also enjoy taking part in related experiences such as the Royal Society of Chemistry Young Analyst heats, Chemnet quiz, spectroscopy workshops, university master classes and the Pennant Science and Maths Society.

Upon completion of the course, students will have gained confidence in interacting with others, will be able to reason logically and will have gained valuable practice of investigative methods and safety when working under laboratory conditions.

The AS/A Level Chemistry course follows the WJEC specification and builds upon the topics covered at GCSE. The AS Level consists of two units which are examined at the end of the first year. An additional three units are studied by those students who wish to achieve a full A Level qualification in the second year of the course. One of the second year units involves a practical examination. A brief overview of the course content is given below.

UNIT 1: The language of Chemistry, structure of matter and chemical reactivity. Formulae and equations, atomic structure, calculations, bonding, solid structures, classification of the elements in the Periodic Table, equilibria and acid-base reactions.

UNIT 2: Energy, rate of reaction and the chemistry of carbon compounds. Thermochemical and kinetic analysis, the wider impact of chemistry in society, organic compounds including hydrocarbons, halogenoalkanes, alcohols and carboxylic acids, instrumental methods of analysis.

UNIT 3: Physical and Inorganic Chemistry. Redox and standard electrode potential, p-block and d-block chemistry, enthalpy changes, entropy and the feasibility of reactions, equilibrium constants, acid-base equilibria.

UNIT 4: Organic Chemistry and analysis. Stereoisomerism, aromaticity, alcohols and phenols, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, amines, amino acids, peptides and proteins, organic synthesis and analysis.

Unit 5 – Practical Chemistry unit:-in addition to the specified practical exercises set by WJEC you will undertake a wide range of practical work to support theory units. Students are required to maintain an organised file of their laboratory work in preparation for assessment in this unit.