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AQA GCE Advanced A
Level CHEMISTRY
(advanced level chemistry specification syllabus 7405)
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU NEED TO
REVISE ALL of the two years work for the final A Level Examination -
anything can come up!
Doc Brown's Unofficial Support for AQA GCE Advanced A Level
Chemistry
AQA AS GCE Level
Chemistry (separate page)
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ALL my advanced A
level
chemistry revision study notes
AQA Advanced A level CHEMISTRY
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chemistry course from September 2015 - UNOFFICIAL HELP for this AQA A level chemistry UK
based Advanced Level Chemistry Courses
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revision notes
PLEASE
NOTE for students doing the AQA A level chemistry course.
- My notes
are not in anyway to be an alternative to
your teacher, your textbooks or lesson notes for the AQA A level
chemistry course.
- BUT, sometimes a different presentation of a
topic in your AQA A level chemistry course can help your
understanding.
- SO, a little 'study supplement' to your
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- Scrolling down the page, you will find the
links to my notes are organised to fit in with topic/unit/module
headings in the order specified in the official
syllabus-specification for the AQA A level chemistry course.
- More links will be added over the next year
and the A level chemistry notes expanded to cover more topics in the
AQA A level chemistry course.
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examination course.
Summary of AQA GCE Advanced
Level Advanced A Level Units and Contents Links
SPECIFICATION CONTENT
1 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY (AQA GCE Advanced A
Level
chemistry)
1.1 Atomic Structure (AQA GCE Advanced A
Level
chemistry)
Atomic
structure, sub-atomic particles, Bohr model and isotopes
Mass spectrometry - introduction (including
determination of relative atomic mass, molecular mass)
Electronic Structure of atoms
and ionisation energies (7 sections on 3 linked pages) eg
Introduction to s p d f orbitals and electronic energy levels and
order of filling of quantum levels
Working
out electron configurations for atoms, setting them out in the
'modern' periodic table (also sections on ions and oxidation state)
Hydrogen
spectrum, emission/absorption spectra, ionisation energies, evidence
for quantum levels
Periodic Table - physical property trends in Period 3
Periodicity graphs for
elements Z = 1 to 20. Period 1 to start of Period 4
1.2 Amount of Substance (AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Chemical Calculations - Index
(lots of pages to browse through, examples and quizzes on the basics!)
eg
Introducing moles: The connection between moles, mass and formula mass - the basis of reacting mole ratio calculations
(relating reacting masses and formula
mass)
Using
moles to calculate empirical formula and deduce molecular formula of a compound/molecule
(starting with reacting masses or % composition)
Moles and the molar volume of a gas, Avogadro's Law
- volumes of gases formed in reactions
Reacting gas volume
ratios, Avogadro's Law
and Gay-Lussac's Law (ratio of gaseous
reactants-products)
PVT calculations
and
PV = nRT
calculations
Molarity, volumes and solution
concentrations (and diagrams of apparatus)
How to do acid-alkali
titration calculations, diagrams of apparatus, details of procedures
% purity of a product
* % reaction yield
* atom economy
*
dilution of solutions
Acid-base and other non-redox
titration questions (2 pages of questions with worked out answers)
Some Advanced A Level Practical Exercises and Calculations
1.3 Bonding (AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Chemical
bonding: Introduction and index
Electronegativity, bond polarity, type of chemical
bonding
Chemical
bonding:
Ionic Bonding – compounds and properties
More on ionic
structures and ionic bonding
Working out
electron configurations for atoms and ions
Chemical
bonding:
Covalent Bonding – small simple molecules and their properties
More on
covalent bonding - dative covalent bonding
Introduction
to shapes of molecules -
VSEPR theory - lots of inorganic
molecule/ion examples
Some other shapes of molecules/ions of carbon, nitrogen, sulphur
and chlorine
The
shapes and bond
angles of organic molecules
Introduction to
intermolecular forces - intermolecular bonding
Detailed comparative discussion of boiling points of 8 organic molecules
Boiling point plots for six
organic
homologous series and explaining the trends and differences
Other case studies of
boiling points related to intermolecular forces for a variety of compounds
Evidence and theory
for hydrogen bonding in simple covalent hydrides
Chemical
bonding:
Covalent Bonding: macromolecules and giant covalent structures and
Graphene
Chemical
bonding:
Metallic Bonding - structure and properties of metals
Types of
Crystal Structure and their relative physical properties
1.4 Energetics (AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Energetics -
introduction to enthalpy changes (4 linked pages including practical
methods of calorimetry)
Reversible reactions and energy changes
Activation energy and reaction profiles
Introduction to bond energy/enthalpy calculations
Calorimetry methods and energy transfer calculations from calorimeter results
Energetics -
detailed notes on enthalpy changes (6 linked pages and
question page)
ΔH Enthalpy Changes
Advanced level introduction to enthalpy changes –
enthalpies of reaction,
formation, combustion
Thermochemistry – Hess's Law and enthalpy
calculations using enthalpies of reaction, combustion & formation
Bond enthalpy calculations
Calorimetric experimental methods
for determining enthalpy changes and treatment of results
Some enthalpy data patterns
The combustion of linear alkanes and linear
aliphatic alcohols
Energetics -
basic enthalpy changes questions with worked out answers
1.5 Kinetics (AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Kinetics Index lots
of pages to peruse e.g.
How can we measure the speed or rate of a chemical reaction?
Collision theory of
chemical reactions (see also individual factors)
Activation energy and reaction profiles
The
Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of molecular kinetic energies (related to
temperature and catalyst rate factors)
Effect on
rate of
changing the temperature of reactants
Effect on
rate of
changing reactant concentration in a solution/gas mixture
Effect on
rate of
changing pressure in reacting gases (gaseous equivalent of
concentration)
Effect on
rate of
using a catalyst in a chemical reaction (See Maxwell-Boltzmann link
above too)
Heterogeneous
and homogeneous catalysis mechanisms
1.6 Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc
(AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Chemical equilibria
introduction - reversible reactions, dynamic equilibrium and Le
Chatelier's Principle (practical examples described)
How to
write K
expressions and the effect of temperature on the equilibrium
constant
Chemical equilibria - writing Kc
expressions and doing equilibrium expression calculations (examples
described including esterification)
Chemical equilibria - applying Le Chatelier's Principle to
Industrial Processes
1.7 Oxidation, reduction and redox equations
(AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Basic
introduction to redox reactions
(but only the electron definitions important at A level)
Oxidation
states and
Redox reactions
1.8 Thermodynamics (AQA GCE Advanced A
Level
chemistry)
Introducing enthalpies of
ion hydration, solution, atomisation, lattice energy, electron affinity,
solvation
Enthalpy
cycles involving a salt dissolving
The
Born–Haber Cycle calculations and uses, comparing theoretical and experimental
lattice enthalpies
Introduction to Entropy
Examples of
entropy values and comments
Feasibility of chemical change, ΔG, free energy change
equation, calculations and
applications
1.9 Rate
equations (AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Obtaining rate data,
interpreting data, deducing orders of reaction and rate expressions
The Arrhenius
equation and calculating the activation energy Ea from kinetics–rates data
1.10
Equilibrium constant Kp for homogeneous systems (AQA
GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Part 0. Introduction
Examples of reversible reactions
and
Reversible
reactions & what we mean by chemical equilibrium
(GCSE/IGCSE level, but a useful simple 'revision'
introduction, the links below are all for advanced A level students)
Part 1.
Introduction - examples of reversible reactions
described,
dynamic equilibrium and Le Chatelier's Principle
Part 2a.
How to
write equilibrium
expressions and the effect of temperature on the equilibrium
constant K
Part 2b.
How to
write Kc
equilibrium expressions, units and exemplar Kc calculations
including esterification
Part 2c.
How to write Kp
expressions, units, partial pressures and exemplar Kp equilibrium calculations
Part 3.
Applying Le Chatelier's Principle
and equilibrium expressions to Industrial
Processes
1.11
Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells
(AQA GCE
Advanced A Level
chemistry)
GCSE/IGCSE/O level Notes on
Electrochemistry (lots of basic
stuff on several pages)
Half cell equilibria, electrode potential
Simple cells notation and construction
The hydrogen electrode and standard conditions
Half–cell potentials, Electrochemical Series and using Eθcell for reaction feasibility
Electrochemical cells ('batteries') and fuel cell systems
1.12 Acids
and bases (AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
GCSE 9-1 /IGCSE notes on acids and bases (lots of basic stuff)
Lewis and Bronsted–Lowry acid–base theories
self–ionisation of water and pH scale
strong acids–examples–calculations
weak acids–examples & pH–Ka–pKa calculations
strong bases–examples–pH calculations
weak bases– examples
A level notes on Acids, Bases, Salts,
uses of
acid–base titrations – upgrade from GCSE!
Acid–base indicator theory, pH curves and
titrations
Buffers – definition, formulation
and action
Buffer calculations
Case studies
of buffer function
2 INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
2.1 Periodicity
(AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Periodic
Table - electronic basis - electron configurations of elements (2
linked pages)
Periodic Table:
Describing and explaining the physical property trends in Period 3
2.2 Group 2, the alkaline earth metals
(AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Periodic
Table - s-block including detailed notes on Group 2 Alkaline Earth Metals
- introduction
Oxides of s–block
metals, water reaction & hydroxides, acid reaction & salts, chlorine
reaction & halides
Carbonates & hydrogencarbonates,
solubility trends, uses of
s–block metals and their compounds
Periodic
Table - Important trends down a group (including group 2)
2.3 Group
7(17), the halogens (AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Periodic table
- Group 7/17
Halogens - Introduction
Halogen displacement
reactions and reactivity trend
Reactions of
halogens with other elements - halides
Reaction between halide salts and conc.
sulfuric acid
Tests for halogens and halide ions
Uses of halogens &
their compounds
2.4
Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides (AQA GCE
Advanced A Level
chemistry)
Periodic Table: Survey of Period 3: sodium Na to argon Ar
- introduction - physical properties and chemical reactions
Periodic Table:
Describing and explaining the physical property trends in Period 3
Period 3 trends in bonding, structure,
oxidation state, formulae and reactions of oxides and
chlorides with water
2.5
Transition metals (AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Periodic Table:
3d-block Transition Metals - Introduction (13
linked pages plus 12 Appendices, mention of Al3+) e.g.
Chemistry of 3d block transition
metals - Chromium
Chemistry of 3d block transition
metals - Manganese
Chemistry of 3d block transition
metals - Iron
Chemistry
of 3d block transition metals - Cobalt
Chemistry of 3d block transition
metals - Nickel
Chemistry of 3d block transition
metals - Copper
3d block Transition Metals
- Hydrated salts, acidity of
hexa-aqua ions
3d block Transition Metals
- Complexes
& ligands
3d block Transition Metals
- Complexes and isomerism
3d block Transition Metals
- Electron configuration & colour theory
3d block Transition Metals
- Redox
equations, feasibility of a redox reaction, Eø
3d block Transition Metals
- Catalysis
3d block Transition Metals
- Redox
equations
3d block Transition Metals
- Stability Constants and entropy
changes
3d block Transition Metals
- Colorimetric analysis
and complex ion formula
Some 3d-block transition
metal complexes, oxidation states
& electrode potentials
3d block transition metals
- Hydroxide complex precipitate 'pictures',
formulae and equations
2.6
Reactions of ions in aqueous solution (AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Periodic
Table: 3d block transition metals - hydroxide complex precipitate 'pictures',
formulae and equations
Periodic Table: 3d block Transition Metals -
hydrated salts, acidity of hexa-aqua ions
Qualitative Analysis Tests for inorganic gases, ions (cations and anions)
etc.
(use alphabetical index)
3 ORGANIC
CHEMISTRY (AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
3.1 Introduction to organic chemistry
(AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Functional Groups, organic molecule structure, styles of
representation and organic homologous series
Alkanes
- molecular structure and naming (with quizzes)
Alkanes - Multiple choice
Quiz on the structure and naming (nomenclature) of ALKANES
Alkanes - Type in name Quiz on the structure & naming of ALKANES (and
naming cycloalkanes)
Alkenes - molecular structure and naming (with quizzes)
Alkenes - Multiple choice Quiz on their
structure and naming
Alkenes - Type in name Quiz on their nomenclature
Halogenoalkanes -
naming and structure (3 linked pages and quizzes)
Halogenoalkanes - Multiple choice Quiz on their structure and naming (nomenclature)
Halogenoalkanes - Type in name Quiz on their nomenclature
Alcohols - molecular structure and naming (2 pages, with
quizzes)
Alcohols - Multiple choice Quiz on their structure and naming
Alcohols - Type in name Quiz on their nomenclature
Organic chemistry
mechanisms - an introduction and technical
terms explained
Isomerism in organic chemistry: introduction, type definitions, examples explained (several useful pages
on types of structural and stereoisomerism)
General
Quiz on type of organic molecule, recognition based on structure and
recognition of functional groups
A bumper multiple
choice quiz on naming aliphatic compounds
A bumper type in name
quiz on naming aliphatic compounds
Matching pair quiz on hydrocarbon structure
Organic
structure:
Matching pair Quiz on aldehydes,
ketones, carboxylic acid and ester structure
Organic structure:
Combined Organic Matching Pair Quizzes on classification recognition
Shapes of organic
molecules and bond angles
3.2 Alkanes
(AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
The chemistry of ALKANES and the petrochemical
industry
revision notes INDEX
Alkanes
- molecular structure and naming (with quizzes)
Alkanes - Multiple choice
Quiz on the structure and naming (nomenclature) of ALKANES
Alkanes - Type in name Quiz on the structure & naming of ALKANES (and
naming cycloalkanes)
Alkanes - fractional distillation of crude oil & uses of
fractions
Alkanes - Cracking - a problem of supply and demand, other
products
Alkanes - complete combustion and
incomplete combustion
- pollution etc.
Alkanes
- free radical
chlorination/bromination mechanism to give halogenoalkanes
Alkanes and Petrochemical Industry INDEX
The Molecular Structure and Nomenclature of Alkanes
Fractional distillation of crude
oil and uses of products
Modification of alkanes by
cracking, isomerisation and reforming
Complete and incomplete
combustion of alkanes and environmental pollution
Modification of hydrocarbon fuel
mixtures and alternative fuels
Chlorination and bromination of
alkanes, reaction mechanisms and uses of products
3.3 Halogenoalkanes
(AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
INDEX of
ALL revision notes on HALOGENOALKANES (haloalkanes)
Halogenoalkanes - naming and structure (3 linked pages and quizzes)
Halogenoalkanes - Multiple choice Quiz on their structure and naming (nomenclature)
Halogenoalkanes Type in name Quiz on their nomenclature
Halogenoalkanes - free radical
chlorination/bromination mechanism of alkanes to give halogenoalkanes
Halogenoalkanes - Nucleophilic substitution by water/hydroxide ion
Halogenoalkanes - Nucleophilic
substitution by cyanide ion to give a nitrile
Halogenoalkanes - Nucleophilic
substitution by ammonia/primary amine to give primary/secondary
amines etc.
Halogenoalkanes - Elimination of
hydrogen bromide to form alkenes
Ozone
depletion due to CFCs
3.4 Alkenes
(AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
INDEX of
ALL advanced revision notes on ALKENES
Alkenes - molecular structure and naming (with quiz)
Alkenes - Multiple choice Quiz on their
structure and naming
Alkenes - Type in name Quiz on their nomenclature
Alkenes
- introduction to their chemistry and electrophilic addition reactions
& polymerisation (5
linked pages)
Polymers - the basics of addition polymer chemistry and uses
3.5 Alcohols
(AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
INDEX of all revision notes on
ALCOHOLS (and mention of ethers)
Alcohols - molecular structure and naming (2 pages, with
quizzes)
Alcohols - Multiple choice Quiz on their structure and naming
Alcohols - Type in name Quiz on their nomenclature
Alcohols - Ethanol, manufacture, physical properties and
introduction to its chemical reactions
Biofuels & alternative fuels,
hydrogen, biogas, biodiesel
Alcohols - oxidation to give aldehydes, ketones or
carboxylic acids (sections 9.1 to 9.3)
Alcohols - elimination of water to give an alkene
3.6 Organic analysis
(AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Functional Groups -
Qualitative Analysis Tests for organic functional groups
(use alphabetical index)
Mass spectrometry - introduction (including
determination of molecular mass)
3.7 Optical isomerism
(AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Isomerism -
R/S Optical Isomerism
3.8 Aldehydes and ketones
(AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
INDEX of
ALL revision notes on ALDEHYDES and KETONES
Aldehydes &
ketones: Their structure and naming
Aldehydes & ketones: Multiple choice on their structure and naming (nomenclature)
Aldehydes &
ketones: Type in name Quiz on their nomenclature
Aldehydes & ketones:
Carbonyl compounds - introduction
to their chemistry
Aldehydes & ketones: Nucleophilic addition of
hydrogen cyanide to form a hydroxy-nitrile
Aldehydes
& ketones: Addition of hydrogen -
reduction with LiAlH4 or NaBH4
to give alcohols
3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
(AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
INDEX of all revision notes on
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS and DERIVATIVES
Carboxylic
acids & derivatives: Their structure and naming (and quizzes)
Carboxylic acids & derivatives: Type in name Quiz on their
structure and nomenclature
Carboxylic acids & derivatives: Type in name Quiz on their
structure and nomenclature
Carboxylic acids &
derivatives: common reactions and uses
Carboxylic acids &
derivatives: Esters, chemistry and uses including perfumes
Carboxylic acids & derivatives: Hydrolysis of acid chlorides with water
to give a carboxylic acid
Carboxylic acids & derivatives: Esterification of acid
chlorides with alcohols
to give an ester
Carboxylic acids & derivatives: Amide formation from reaction
of acid chlorides with ammonia
or primary amines
Carboxylic acids & derivatives: Natural vegetable oils,
fats, margarine, soaps
3.10
Aromatic chemistry (AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry) e.g. benzene and
methylbenzene
INDEX of all AROMATIC COMPOUND chemistry
revision notes
Aromatic chemistry: Enthalpies of
Hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons, evidence of aromatic
ring structure in benzene
Aromatic chemistry:
Structure and nomenclature
Aromatic chemistry:
Introduction to arene structure and electrophilic substitution mechanisms
Aromatic
chemistry: Nitration to give nitro-aromatics like nitrobenzene
Aromatic
chemistry: Acylation to give aromatic
ketones
[Friedel-Crafts reaction]
3.11 Amines
(AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
INDEX of all ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUND chemistry pages
Organic nitrogen compounds - structure, classification
& naming
Halogenoalkanes - Nucleophilic
substitution by ammonia/primary amine to give primary/secondary
amines etc.
Carboxylic acids & derivatives: Amide formation from reaction
of acid chlorides with ammonia
or primary amines
3.12
Polymers (AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Polymers -
the basics of condensation polymers, nylon, terylene, comparing thermoplastics, fibres, thermosets
Polymers - the basics of addition polymer chemistry and uses,
recycling
|
All My synthetic
polymer-plastics revision notes pages
Introduction to addition polymers: poly(ethene), poly(propene), polystyrene, PVC,
PTFE - structure, uses
More on the
uses of plastics, issues with using plastics, solutions and recycling
methods
Introducing condensation polymers: Nylon, Terylene/PET,
comparing thermoplastics, fibres, thermosets
Extra
notes for more advanced level organic chemistry students
Polymerisation of alkenes to addition polymers - structure, properties, uses of
poly(alkene) polymers
The manufacture, molecular structure, properties and uses of
polyesters
Amides
chemistry - a mention of
polyamides
The structure, properties and uses of
polyesters and polyamides involving aromatic monomers
The
chemistry of amides including Nylon formation, structure, properties and uses
Stereoregular polymers -
isotactic/atactic/syndiotactic poly(propene) - use of Ziegler-Natta
catalysts |
3.13 Amino
acids, proteins and DNA (AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
INDEX of all ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUND chemistry pages
3.14 Organic
synthesis (AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
See individual functional group chemistry
pages
3.15 Nuclear
magnetic resonance spectroscopy (AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Index of nuclear
magnetic resonance spectroscopy 1H NMR spectra of organic
compounds
3.16
Chromatography (AQA GCE Advanced A Level chemistry)
Chromatography -
the basics of paper, thin layer and gas chromatography |
