Chemistry is a part of science and deals in the examination of matter – its composition, properties and behaviours – and of Earth’s elements and the atmosphere of the Earth. Chemistry is sometimes referred to as a Central Science because it explains aspects of other branches of science. For example forensics, which is the examination of evidence at crime scenes, uses Chemistry to identify various chemical data present at the crime scene.
The GCSE Chemistry exam is conducted by various bodies, each of which has its own syllabus. These syllabi vary only slightly from each other and generally cover the same chemistry GCSE topics. These bodies are:
AQA CCEA Edexcel Eduqas OCR WJEC
AQA GCSE Chemistry Syllabus AQA is an independent education charity that conducts various exams, including GCSE. It also offers research programs and training for teachers. The qualifications it awards are widely respected across the world. AQA conducts and marks over half of the GCSEs and A-Level exams in the UK.
The syllabus for GCSE Chemistry under AQA is:
Topics Sub-topics Atomic structure and the periodic table Atoms, elements and compounds, Mixtures, Atomic structure, The periodic table, Groups in the periodic table, and Transition metals Bonding, structure and the properties of matter The three states of matter, Ionic compounds, Small molecules, Giant covalent molecules, Metals and alloys, and Nanoscience Quantitative chemistry Calculations in chemistry, Calculations in chemistry (Higher), Atom economy, percentage yield, and gas calculations Chemical changes Reactions of metals, Acids, alkalis and salts, Titrations, and Electrolysis Energy changes Exothermic and endothermic reactions and Chemical cells The rate and extent of chemical change Rates of reaction, Reversible reactions Organic chemistry Crude oil, hydrocarbons, and alkanes Chemical analysis Analysing and identifying substances, Analysing substances Chemistry of the atmosphere Developing the atmosphere and Polluting the atmosphere Using resources Sustainable development, Water, Ways of reducing the use of resources, Using materials, and Fertilisers Practical skills Planning, Data collection, and Data analysis and evaluation
CCEA GCSE Chemistry Syllabus CCEA stands for Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment. A non-departmental public body (NDPB), It is funded by and answers to the Department of Education (DE).
CCEA was established on 1 April 1994 under the Educational and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1993.
The syllabus for GCSE Chemistry under CCEA is:
Topics Sub-topics Structures, trends, chemical reactions, quantitative chemistry and analysis Atomic structure, Bonding, StructuresNanoparticles, Symbols, formulae and equations, The Periodic Table, Quantitative chemistry, Acids, bases and salts, Chemical analysis, and Solubility Further chemical reactions, rates and equilibrium, calculations and organic chemistry Metals and reactivity series, Redox, rusting and iron, Rates of reaction, Reversible reactions, Organic chemistry Quantitative chemistry, ElectrochemistryEnergy changes in chemistry, and Gas chemistry Practicals Determine the mass of water in hydrated crystals, Investigate the reactions of acids, Investigate the preparation of soluble salts, Identify the ions in an ionic compound, Investigate the reactivity of metals, Investigate the rate of reaction, Investigate the reactions of carboxylic acids, Titration, and Investigate the reaction of gases
Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Syllabus Pearson Edexcel GCSE syllabus for chemistry is:
Topics Sub-topics Key concepts in chemistry Formulae and equations, Hazards and risks, Atomic structure, The periodic table Ionic compounds, Simple molecular substances, Giant covalent substancesMetals and non-metals, Calculations for all students, and Higher tier only calculations States of matter and mixtures States of matter, Separation and purification Chemical changes Acids and alkalis, Salts, and Electrolysis Extracting metals and equilibria Obtaining and using metals, Reversible reactions and equilibria Separate chemistry 1 Transition metals, alloys and corrosion, Chemical calculations, More chemical calculations – Higher, Fertilisers, Industrial processes – Higher, Chemical cells, and fuel cells Groups in the Chemistry periodic table Group 1 – the alkali metals Group 7 – the halogens Group 0 – the noble gases Rates of reaction and energy changes Rates of reaction, Heat energy changes in chemical reactions Separate chemistry 2 Tests for ions, Hydrocarbons, Polymers, Alcohols and carboxylic acids, Nanoparticles, and Bulk materials Practicals
Eduqas GCSE Chemistry Syllabus Eduqas is one the largest providers of qualifications for schools, academies, sixth form and further education colleges across England.
The Eduqas syllabus for chemistry under GCSE is:
Topics Sub-topics Pure substances and mixtures Elements, compounds and mixtures, Separating mixtures Particles and atomic structure States of matter, Atomic structure, and The periodic table Chemical formulae, equations and amount of substance Formulae and equations, Chemical calculations The periodic table and properties of elements Group 1 – The alkali metals Group 7 – The halogens Group 0 – The noble gases Metals and non-metals Transition metals and corrosion Tests for ions Bonding, structure and properties Ionic compounds, Simple covalent substances, Metallic structure and bonding Carbon, and Nanoparticles Reactivity series and extraction of metals Reactivity series, Extracting and using metals, and Electrolysis Chemistry of acids Acids and bases, Making salts, Acids, bases and salts – Higher, and More about titrations – Higher Energy changes in chemistry Energy changes in reactions, Chemical cells and fuel cells Rate of chemical change and dynamic equilibrium Rate of reaction and Reversible reactions Carbon compounds Crude oil and Organic chemistry Production, use and disposal of important chemicals and materials Use and re-use, Fertilisers, Chemical calculations, Corrosion and corrosion prevention, Materials and their uses The Earth and its atmosphere Forming the atmosphere Polluting the atmosphere Practicals
OCR 21st Century Chemistry Syllabus OCR is a leading UK educational qualification awarding body. OCR – Oxford, Cambridge and RSA – provides qualifications in A-Level and GCSE in over forty subjects.
OCR has two levels of testing in Chemistry for GCSE; OCR 21st Century and OCR Gateway. OCR chemistry GCSE past papers are also available online for you to prepare well.
The syllabus for OCR 21st Century is as follows:
Topics Sub-topics
Air and water Formulae and equations How has the Earth's atmosphere changed over time? Why are there energy changes in chemical reactions? Chemical cells What is the evidence for climate change? How can scientists help improve the supply of potable water? Chemical patterns How have our ideas about atoms changed over time? What does the periodic table tell us about the elements? How do metals and non-metals combine to form compounds? How are equations used to represent chemical reactions? What are the properties of the transition metals? Chemicals of the natural environment How are the atoms held together in a metal? How are metals with different reactivities extracted? What are electrolytes and what happens in electrolysis? Covalent bonds Why is crude oil important as a source of new materials? Organic chemistry Material choices How is data used to choose a material for a particular use? What are alloys and different types of polymers? How do bonding and structure affect properties of materials? Why are nanoparticles so useful? Corrosion What happens to products at the end of their useful life? Chemical analysis How are chemicals separated and tested for purity? How do chemists find the composition of unknown samples? How are the amounts of substances in reactions calculated? Calculating yields How are the amounts of chemicals in solution measured? Making useful chemicals What useful products can be made from acids? How do chemists control the rate of reactions? What factors affect the yield of chemical reactions? How are chemicals made on an industrial scale? Ideas about science What needs to be considered when investigating a phenomenon? What processes are needed to draw conclusions from data? How are scientific explanations developed? How do science and technology impact society? Practicals
OCR Gateway Syllabus Topics Sub-topics Particles The particle model and Atomic structure Elements, compounds and mixtures Purity and separating mixtures, The periodic table, Bonding, Properties of materials, and Nanoparticles Chemical reactions Introducing chemical reactions, Avogadro constant and moles, Energetics, Types of chemical reactions, and Electrolysis Predicting and identifying reactions and products Predicting chemical reactions and Identifying products Monitoring and controlling chemical reactions Monitoring chemical reactions, Controlling chemical reactions, and Equilibria Global challenges Improving processes and products, Making fertiliser, Metals and corrosion, and Materials for different uses Organic chemistry Fuels, Organic compounds, Polymers, Chemical cells and fuel cells Interpreting and reacting with Earth systems The atmosphere Practicals
WJEC Syllabus WJEC – Welsh Joint Education Committee – is a leading awarding organisation providing assessment, training and educational resources in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and other places.
WJEC Syllabus for Chemistry is as follows:
Unit 1 The nature of substances and chemical reactions Atomic structure and the periodic table Water The ever changing world Rate of chemical change Limestone
Unit 2 Bonding, structure and properties Acids, bases and salts Metals and their extraction Chemical reactions and energy Crude oil, fuels and organic chemistry Reversible reactions, industrial processes and important chemicals
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