Unit 1 : Building Blocks

1. Substances.
   • The elements - names & symbols - classification - the periodic table - reactions of elements.
   • Compounds and mixtures.
   • Chemical reactions.
   • Naming compounds.
   • Word equations.
   • Mixtures - separation.
   • Solutions - solute - solvent - dilute - concentrated.

2. Reaction rates.
   • Following the course of a reaction.
   • Calculating the average rate of a reaction.
   • Factors affecting the rate of reaction.
   • Catalysts - homogeneous - heterogeneous - adsorption - enzymes.

3. Structure of the atom.
   • Sub-atomic particles - protons - electrons - neutrons.
   • Important numbers - atomic number - mass number.
   • Isotopes - relative atomic mass.

4. Bonding, structure and properties.
   • The covalent bond - shapes of molecules.
   • Patterns and predictions in bonding.
   • Valency or combining power - chemical formulae.
   • Polar covalent bonds.
   • Ionic bonding - ionic lattice.
   • Metallic bonding - delocalised electrons.
   • Covalent networks.
   • Bonding and properties.
   • Electrolysis.

5. Chemical symbolism.
   • Complex formulae - balanced equations - formula mass - the mole.
   • Calculations.

 
Unit 2 : Carbon Compounds

1. Fuels.
   • Combustion and fractional distillation.

2. i) Naming carbon compounds.
   • Hydrocarbons - alkanes, alkenes and cycloalkanes.
   • Isomers.

3. i) Reactions of carbon compounds.
   • Saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons.
   • Addition reactions.
   • Cracking.

4. ii) Naming carbon compounds.
   • Alkanols, alkanoic acids and esters.

5. ii) Reactions of carbon compounds.
   • Ethanol - fermentation, distillation.
   • Industrial production from ethene.
   • Making and breaking esters - condensation and hydrolysis.

6. Plastics and synthetic fibres.
   • Types, uses and properties of plastics in everday use.
   • Recently developed plastics - Kevlar, poly(ethenol).
   • Synthetic fibres - polyesters, polyamides.
   • Advantages and disadvantages of natural and synthetic fibres.
   • Biodegradable plastics - Biopol.
   • Thermosetting and thermoplastic.
   • Toxic gases from burning plastics.
   • Addition and condensation polymerisation.

7. Natural products.
   • Carbohydrates.
   • Proteins.
   • Fats and oils.

 
Unit 3 : Acids, Bases & Metals

1. Acids and Bases.
   • The pH scale.
   • Testing solutions.
   • Solubility of oxides.
   • Metal oxides and bases.
   • Formulae of acids and alkalis.
   • Effect of dilution on pH.
   • Ions and conductivity.
   • The water equilibrium.
   • How to calculate the concentration of solutions.
   • Standard solutions.
   • Strong and weak acids and bases - meaning and properties.

2. Salt preparation.
   • Neutralising acids.
   • Naming salts.
   • Writing equations for neutralisation.
   • Titration of alkali with acid.
   • Spectator ions.
   • Reaction of acids with metals and metal carbonates.
   • Making insoluble salts by precipitation.
   • Calculations based on volumetric titrations.

3. Metals.
   • Reactions of metals with oxygen, water and dilute acid.
   • Simple cells and batteries.
   • Electrochemical series and displacement reactions.
   • Oxidation, reduction and redox reactions - writing equations.
   • Extracting metals from their ores
     - blast furnace
     - electrolytic extraction of aluminium.
   • Corrosion.
   • Prevention of rusting - including sacrificial and cathodic protection
   • Electroplating.