A Level Chemistry AQA
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83 topics in 27 modules
☑️ Physical Chemistry: Atomic Structure 5 topics
- Fundamental particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons
- Mass number, atomic number, and isotopes
- The structure of atoms: electron configuration up to Z = 36
- Ionisation energy: trends in groups and periods
- Mass spectrometry and its application in determining isotopic mass
☑️ Physical Chemistry: Amount of Substance 7 topics
- Relative atomic mass and relative molecular mass
- The mole and the Avogadro constant
- Empirical and molecular formula calculations
- Ideal gas equation: pV = nRT
- Balanced equations, percentage yield, and atom economy
- Solution concentrations in mol dm⁻³
- Titrations and volumetric analysis
☑️ Physical Chemistry: Bonding 6 topics
- Ionic bonding and structure
- Covalent bonding and dative covalent bonding
- Metallic bonding and properties of metals
- Bond polarity and intermolecular forces (van der Waals, dipole-dipole, hydrogen bonding)
- Shapes of simple molecules and bond angles
- Structure and properties of giant covalent, ionic, and metallic crystals
☑️ Physical Chemistry: Energetics 4 topics
- Exothermic and endothermic reactions
- Standard enthalpy changes of combustion, formation, and reaction
- Hess’s Law and energy cycle calculations
- Bond enthalpy and mean bond enthalpy calculations
☑️ Physical Chemistry: Kinetics 4 topics
- Collision theory and factors affecting reaction rates
- Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution and its interpretation
- Effect of temperature, concentration, pressure, and catalysts on rate of reaction
- Use of experimental data to determine reaction rates
☑️ Physical Chemistry: Chemical Equilibria, Le Chatelier’s Principle, and Kc 3 topics
- Dynamic equilibrium and Le Chatelier’s Principle
- Effect of changes in temperature, pressure, and concentration on equilibrium position
- Equilibrium constant Kc: calculations and interpretation
☑️ Physical Chemistry: Oxidation, Reduction, and Redox Equations 3 topics
- Oxidation and reduction in terms of electron transfer
- Oxidation state rules and assigning oxidation numbers
- Writing half-equations and full redox equations
☑️ Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics 3 topics
- Lattice enthalpy and Born–Haber cycles
- Entropy and Gibbs free energy (ΔG = ΔH – TΔS)
- Feasibility of reactions and temperature dependence
☑️ Physical Chemistry: Rate Equations 3 topics
- Rate equations: Rate = k[A]^m[B]^n
- Determining reaction order and rate constant
- Arrhenius equation and temperature dependence of rate constants
☑️ Physical Chemistry: Equilibrium Constant Kp for Homogeneous Systems 2 topics
- Equilibrium constant Kp calculations for gas-phase reactions
- Relationship between Kp and Kc
☑️ Physical Chemistry: Electrode Potentials and Electrochemical Cells 4 topics
- Standard electrode potentials and electrochemical series
- Conventional representation of cells
- Using E° values to predict feasibility of redox reactions
- Commercial applications of electrochemical cells (e.g., fuel cells)
☑️ Physical Chemistry: Acids and Bases 5 topics
- Brønsted–Lowry acid–base theory
- pH and strong acid/base calculations
- Ka and pKa for weak acids
- Buffer solutions and their applications
- pH titration curves and indicator selection
☑️ Inorganic Chemistry: Periodicity 2 topics
- Trends in atomic radius, ionisation energy, and melting points across Period 3
- Reactions of Period 3 oxides with water
☑️ Inorganic Chemistry: Group 2 – The Alkaline Earth Metals 3 topics
- Trends in reactivity and solubility of hydroxides and sulfates
- Reactions of Group 2 metals with oxygen and water
- Uses of Group 2 compounds in medicine and industry
☑️ Inorganic Chemistry: Group 7 (17) – The Halogens 5 topics
- Trends in boiling points and electronegativity
- Oxidising ability of halogens and displacement reactions
- Reducing ability of halide ions
- Tests for halide ions using acidified silver nitrate
- Reactions of chlorine with water and sodium hydroxide
☑️ Organic Chemistry: Introduction to Organic Chemistry 2 topics
- Nomenclature and functional groups
- Structural isomerism and stereoisomerism (E/Z and optical isomerism)
☑️ Organic Chemistry: Alkanes 2 topics
- Fractional distillation of crude oil
- Cracking, combustion, and environmental impact
☑️ Organic Chemistry: Halogenoalkanes 2 topics
- Nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions
- Reactivity trends in halogenoalkanes
☑️ Organic Chemistry: Alkenes 2 topics
- Electrophilic addition mechanisms
- Polymerisation of alkenes
☑️ Organic Chemistry: Alcohols 2 topics
- Oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols
- Esterification and uses of alcohols
☑️ Organic Chemistry: Organic Analysis 2 topics
- Infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry
- Test-tube identification of functional groups
☑️ Required Practical 1: Acid-Base Titration 2 topics
- Carrying out acid-base titrations
- Using indicators to determine endpoint
☑️ Required Practical 2: Enthalpy Change 2 topics
- Measuring enthalpy changes
- Using Hess’s Law for enthalpy calculations
☑️ Required Practical 3: Rate of Reaction by Temperature Change 2 topics
- Measuring how temperature affects reaction rates
- Using initial rate method
☑️ Required Practical 4: Identification of Anions and Cations 2 topics
- Using qualitative tests for ions
- Confirmatory tests with flame tests and precipitates
☑️ Required Practical 5: Distillation of Cyclohexene 2 topics
- Preparation and purification of an organic liquid
- Using distillation to separate organic compounds
☑️ Required Practical 6: Tests for Organic Functional Groups 2 topics
- Chemical tests for aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and alcohols
- Observing colour changes and precipitates
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A Level Chemistry AQA Revision Content
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A Level Chemistry AQA - Physical Chemistry: Atomic Structure - Fundamental particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons Content Preview
Physical Chemistry: Atomic Structure
Fundamental particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons
Fundamental Particles Overview
- Atoms are made up of three main fundamental particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.
- The nucleus of an atom contains protons and neutrons, while electrons orbit around the nucleus.
Protons
- Charge: Protons have a +1 charge.
- Mass: Relative mass of a proton is approximately 1 atomic mass unit (amu).
- Protons are found in the atom's nucleus.
- The number of protons in the nucleus determines the atomic number of an element, defining its identity.
Neutrons
- Charge: Neutrons have no charge; they are neutral.
- Mass: Relative mass is similar to that of a proton, approximately 1 atomic mass unit.
- Neutrons are located in the nucleus along with protons.
- The number of neutrons can vary within atoms of the same element, leading to different isotopes.
Electrons
- Charge: Electrons possess a -1 charge.
- Mass: Electrons have a negligible mass compared to protons and neutrons, approximately 1/1836 atomic mass unit.
- Electrons are found in various energy levels or shells surrounding the nucleus.
- The number of electrons generally equals the number of protons in a neutral atom, ensuring overall charge balance.
General Properties
- Atomic Structure: Most of an atom's mass is concentrated in its small, dense nucleus, whereas the electrons occupy most of the atom's volume.
- Forces: The electrostatic force binds electrons to the nucleus, while the strong nuclear force holds protons and neutrons together within the nucleus.
- Isotopes: Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. They have the same number of protons but differ in mass number.
Question: What is the impact on the identity of an element if the number of protons in its nucleus is changed?
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