Chemistry

What in the world isn’t Chemistry?

Everything you touch or use has been discovered, improved or tested by a Chemist.

Chemistry is the study of the material world; it underpins every aspect of our lives, from the pharmaceuticals we use to heal, to the plastics that surround us.  As Scientists we endeavour to instil an appreciation of the consequences of the actions of Man on the environment in which we live.

The study of Chemistry enables girls to develop a logical approach to problems and the ability to apply concepts and rules to novel situations.  Through practical investigation the girls extend their observational, deductive and manipulative skills.

Curriculum

UIII     Safety and the Bunsen burner; Elements; Compounds and Mixtures; Air;Solvents, Solutes and Solutions; Separation of Mixtures; Water

LIV     Acids, Alkalis and pH; Types of Reaction; Oxidation and Combustion; Air Pollution;Natural Resources; Cross-curricular project

UIV     Atomic Structure; Chemical Formulae; Inorganic Chemical Analysis; Balancing Equations;Metals and their Chemistry; Rates of Reaction

In LV and UV, pupils take Separate Chemistry Edexcel IGCSE.

LV       Topics include Periodic Table; Chemical Bonding; Structure and Properties; Electrolysis;Extraction of Metals; Organic Chemistry; Energy Changes in Reactions.

UV       Topics include Quantitative Chemistry; Acidity, Alkalinity and Neutralisation; Chemical Analysis; Equilibria; Industrial Processes.

We follow the OCR AS and A2 courses in the Sixth Form.

Outline of topics studied at AS:

Unit 1 - Atoms, Bonds and Groups

Atomic structure; Moles and Equations; Acids, Bases and Salts; Redox; Electron Structure; Bonding and Structure; Periodicity, in particular Groups 2 and 7.

Unit 2 - Chains, Energy and Resources

Basic Concepts of Organic Chemistry including nomenclature and funcational groups, isomerism, reaction mechanisms, percentage yield and atom energy; Alkanes; Alcohols; Modern Analytical Techniques; Enthalpy Changes; Rates and Equilibrium; Chemistry of the Air; Green Chemistry.

Unit 3 - Practical Skills in Chemistry 1

This unit is experimentally based and assesses the practical and investigative skills developed within the contexts encountered during Units 1 and 2.

Outline of topics studied at A2:

Unit 4 - Rings, Polymers and Analysis

Arenes; Carbonyl compounds; Carboxylic Acids and Esters; Amines; Amino Acids and Chirality; Polyesters and Polyamides; Synthesis; Chromatography; Spectroscopy.

Unit 5 - Equilibria, Energetics and Elements

How fast? - Rates of Reactions; How far? - Equilibria; Acids, Bases and Buffers; Lattice Enthalpy; Enthalpy and Entropy; Electrode Potentials and Fuel Cells; Transition Elements.

Unit 6 - Practical Skills in Chemistry 2

This unit is experimentally based and assesses the practical and investigative skills developed within the contexts encountered during Units 4 and 5.

"Chemistry is a highly abstract subject and consequently can be difficult to deliver and understand.  The “buzz” gained by presenting a potentially very complex topic to a class, that then feeds off your enthusiasm and stays with you until understanding is reached, is second to none."

"A magical subject to teach."

"Giving pupils an awareness of the Chemistry of environmental issues and how they then relate to looking after the planet."

Clarence Comments

"Solving problems theoretically can be challenging but there is nothing more satisfying than carrying out the corresponding experiment and getting the right answer."

"Some of the theory is quite challenging – but it’s all worth it when a practical works out perfectly – the results can be pretty amazing, like the silver mirror precipitate!"

"Chemistry A level can be quite challenging but the Chemistry teachers are so supportive it makes everything so much easier."