Chemistry Year 13

Physical Chemistry & Transition Elements – Module 5

  • This module extends some of the physical chemistry topics that were introduced in Module 3. These include:
    • a quantitative approach will be taken towards the explanation of the factors affecting rate including concentration and temperature.
    • rate equations will be developed for chemical processes to predict the effect of a change in concentration of a reactant upon the rate of reaction and to allow reaction mechanisms to be suggested.
    • equilibrium position will be further quantified and extended to cover the equilibrium constant, Kp.
    • equilibrium position in acid-base equilibria will be quantified using equilibrium constant Ka. This will be applied to estimate the pH of strong and weak acids, and partially neutralised weak acids (buffers)
    • lattice enthalpies will be explained and calculated using Born-Haber Cycles.
    • thermodynamics will be studied at a basic level so that reaction feasibility can be predicted at varied temperatures. The topic will include the concept of entropy and Gibbs (free) Energy.
    • electrochemistry will be covered so that the function of disposable, rechargeable and fuel cells can be understood.
    This module also introduces some new concepts associated with the chemistry of transition elements. In order to explain some of the aspects of transition metal chemistry, the application of REDOX understanding will be further developed.

Physical Chemistry & Transition Elements

Organic Chemistry & Analysis – Module 6

In this module, more organic families with new functional groups will be introduced. General principles of organic chemistry, learned in Module 4, will be applied to help name, explain and predict the chemistry of these new organic families. The new families include:

  • aromatic molecules (arenes)
  • carboxylic acids their derivatives (esters, anhydrides, acyl chlorides)
  • nitrogen containing groups; amines, amides and amino acids

The concept of polymerisation, first introduced at GCSE, will be expanded to cover addition and condensation polymerisation (polyesters and polyamides).

Organic synthesis will be extended to cover reaction sequences covering several steps.

The analytical technique of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy will be introduced as a sensitive technique for identifying the arrangement of atoms in organic chemical structures. Interpretation of NMR, IR and Mass Spectra, will be used in combination to confirm the identity of organic molecules.

Organic Chemistry & Analysis