Senior School Curriculum Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is an essential aspect of our lives, our world and of our education and it is absolutely fascinating! Think of the social, environmental and economic importance of chemistry – it’s everywhere!
Have you ever thought of where an enhanced understanding of chemistry may lead you? A vast range of careers lies open to those who take the subject right through to A-level and on to university.
In the Clayesmore chemistry department we aim not just to educate you but to fascinate you with the subject and we hope that it will become as interesting to you as it has to those of us lucky enough to be teaching it to you.
All Clayesmore pupils study chemistry through to the end of year 11. The ablest science pupils in years 10 and 11 take it as a subject in its own right, whilst a further three groups take it as part of the GCSE Science and Additional Science syllabuses that we follow. They are both really good new courses and we are enjoying using them very much.
Our A-level syllabus is under review at the present time and we may change to a new syllabus in time to begin teaching it in September 2008. The principal aims of the A-level course are to: At AS-level, in the Lower Sixth form, candidates are given a solid grounding in foundation Chemistry. Our work at this level includes:
- Particles, composition of the nucleus, isotopes and use of the mass spectrometer
- Calculating the amount of substance
- Ionic, covalent and metallic bonding and intermolecular forces
- The construction of the periodic table
- Organic chemistry
- Alkanes from crude oil
- Collision theory and effect
- Definitions of oxidation and reduction
- Redox properties of halogens and halide ions
- The extraction of metals
- Haloalkanes and alkenes
- Making observations and measurements – ie practical skills
- Analysing and evaluating results – more practical skills
At A2 syllabus for the Upper Sixth develops the concepts of physical chemistry introduced at AS-level. Candidates now study kinetics, equilibria, organic chemistry and spectroscopic techniques to determine the molecular formulae and structures of organic compounds. Topics and areas of study include:
- Acids and bases
- Nomenclature and isomerism in organic chemistry
- Compounds containing the carbonyl group
- Amines; base properties and nucleophilic properties
- Polymers
- Organic synthesis and analysis
- Thermodynamics
- Periodicity; reactions of Period 3 elements
- Redox equilibria
- General properties of transition metals
- Making observations and measurements
- Analysing and evaluating results