Chemistry

Chemistry — A Level

British Curriculum · Cambridge Assessment International Education · Years 12-13 · Ages 16-18

Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry (9701) is required for medicine, pharmacy, chemical engineering and chemistry degrees, and is assessed by theory papers plus a laboratory practical examination.

AS covers atomic structure, atoms molecules and stoichiometry, chemical bonding, states of matter, chemical energetics, electrochemistry, equilibria, reaction kinetics, the periodic table, group chemistry, and an introduction to organic chemistry and analysis. A2 extends into lattice energy, entropy and Gibbs free energy, further equilibria and kinetics, transition elements, and substantial organic synthesis and spectroscopy.

Organic reaction pathways and the quantitative topics — equilibria, kinetics, energetics — are where marks concentrate. Both reward systematic practice far more than rereading notes.

Key topics covered

• Atomic Structure & Bonding — Electron configuration, ionisation energy, bonding, shapes and intermolecular forces.
• Stoichiometry & Analysis — The mole, titration, empirical formulae, yield and quantitative analysis.
• Energetics & Entropy — Enthalpy, Hess's law, lattice energy, entropy and Gibbs free energy.
• Equilibria & Kinetics — Kc and Kp, acid-base equilibria, buffers, rate equations and mechanisms.
• Electrochemistry — Redox, electrode potentials, cells and electrolysis calculations.
• Inorganic Chemistry — Periodic trends, Group 2 and 17 chemistry, and transition element complexes.
• Organic Chemistry — Functional groups, mechanisms, isomerism and multi-step synthesis.
• Spectroscopy & Practical — NMR, mass spectrometry, infrared, and laboratory technique and evaluation.