AQA
AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462)
Spec code 8462 · v2016 · valid from 2016
10 domains · 76 topics
Mastered In progress Not started Higher tier
C1
Atomic structure and the periodic table
9 topics- C1.1A simple model of the atom: elements, compounds, mixtures and the use of separation techniques
- C1.2Atomic structure: protons, neutrons, electrons, atomic number, mass number, isotopes and relative atomic mass
- C1.3The development of the periodic table: history, Mendeleev and the discovery of subatomic particles
- C1.4Electronic structure: the first 20 elements, energy levels and predicting reactivity
- C1.5Properties of metals and non-metals and their position in the periodic table
- C1.6Group 0 (noble gases): properties and trends down the group
- C1.7Group 1 (alkali metals): properties, reactions with water/oxygen/chlorine and trend in reactivity
- C1.8Group 7 (halogens): properties, displacement reactions and trends in reactivity, melting and boiling points
- C1.9Transition metals (HT): properties of transition metals compared with Group 1, including catalytic activity and coloured compounds
C2
Bonding, structure and the properties of matter
8 topics- C2.1Chemical bonds: ionic, covalent and metallic bonding and which atoms form each
- C2.2Ionic bonding and ionic compounds: dot-and-cross diagrams and properties of giant ionic lattices
- C2.3Covalent bonding: small molecules, polymers and giant covalent structures (diamond, graphite, silica)
- C2.4Metallic bonding: properties of pure metals and alloys
- C2.5States of matter and changes of state: simple particle model, melting/boiling and predicting state from data
- C2.6Properties of small molecules, polymers, giant covalent and metallic structures: linking properties to bonding
- C2.7Structure and bonding of carbon: diamond, graphite, graphene and fullerenes (including nanotubes)
- C2.8Bulk and surface properties: nanoparticles, surface area to volume ratio, uses and possible risks
C3
Quantitative chemistry
9 topics- C3.1Conservation of mass and balanced symbol equations: writing and interpreting balanced equations
- C3.2Relative formula mass and percentage by mass: calculating Mr and using it for percentage composition
- C3.3Chemical measurements and uncertainty: significant figures, mean values and range as estimate of uncertainty
- C3.4Moles (HT): Avogadro’s constant, moles = mass/Mr and using moles in calculations
- C3.5Amounts of substance in equations (HT): using mole ratios to calculate masses of products and reactants
- C3.6Limiting reactants (HT): identifying limiting reactants from balanced equations and masses
- C3.7Concentration of solutions: g/dm³ calculations and (HT) mol/dm³
- C3.8Yield and atom economy (HT): calculating percentage yield, percentage atom economy and judging reaction efficiency
- C3.9Using moles to balance equations and gas volumes (HT): mole ratios with gases and volumes at room conditions
C4
Chemical changes
12 topics- C4.1Reactivity of metals: reactions with oxygen, water and acids; the reactivity series; oxidation and reduction in terms of oxygen
- C4.2Extraction of metals using carbon: principles of reduction and which metals can be extracted this way
- C4.3Oxidation and reduction in terms of electrons (HT): redox half-equations and identifying species oxidised/reduced
- C4.4Reactions of acids with metals: producing salts and hydrogen, and acid + metal carbonate / oxide / hydroxide reactions
- C4.5Neutralisation of acids and salt production: preparing pure dry samples of soluble salts (required practical)
- C4.6Soluble salts: preparation by reacting acid with insoluble base and crystallisation
- C4.7The pH scale and neutralisation: H⁺ and OH⁻ ions, indicators and titrations (required practical)
- C4.8Strong and weak acids (HT): degree of ionisation, relationship between pH and H⁺ concentration
- C4.9The process of electrolysis: ionic compounds molten or in solution, electrodes and movement of ions
- C4.10Electrolysis of molten ionic compounds and aqueous solutions: predicting products at each electrode
- C4.11Electrolysis to extract metals: extraction of aluminium from molten aluminium oxide using cryolite
- C4.12Half equations at the electrodes (HT): writing balanced half equations for cathode and anode reactions
C5
Energy changes
5 topics- C5.1Exothermic and endothermic reactions: energy transfers, examples and uses (hand warmers, sports cool packs)
- C5.2Reaction profiles: drawing and interpreting profiles for exothermic and endothermic reactions and showing activation energy
- C5.3Bond energy calculations (HT): using bond energies to calculate overall energy change of a reaction
- C5.4Chemical cells and batteries (HT): how cells produce a potential difference and the difference between rechargeable and non-rechargeable cells
- C5.5Fuel cells (HT): hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell, advantages and disadvantages compared with rechargeable batteries
C6
The rate and extent of chemical change
5 topics- C6.1Calculating rates of reaction: mean rate, instantaneous rate from gradients and units of rate
- C6.2Factors affecting rate: concentration, pressure, temperature, surface area and catalysts; collision theory and activation energy
- C6.3Catalysts: definition, mode of action, examples (enzymes, transition metals) and effect on activation energy
- C6.4Reversible reactions and energy changes: forward and reverse reactions and their energy profiles
- C6.5Equilibrium and Le Chatelier’s principle (HT): predicting effects of changing concentration, temperature or pressure on the position of equilibrium
C7
Organic chemistry
7 topics- C7.1Crude oil, hydrocarbons and alkanes: composition, formula CnH2n+2 and the first four members
- C7.2Fractional distillation and petrochemicals: separation by boiling point, uses of fractions and feedstock for the petrochemical industry
- C7.3Properties of hydrocarbons: trends in boiling point, viscosity and flammability with chain length; complete and incomplete combustion
- C7.4Cracking and alkenes: thermal and catalytic cracking, why cracking is needed and the use of alkenes
- C7.5Reactions of alkenes and alcohols (HT): addition reactions of alkenes (with H₂, H₂O, halogens), production and reactions of alcohols
- C7.6Carboxylic acids (HT): properties, weak acid behaviour and reactions with carbonates
- C7.7Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers (HT): addition and condensation polymerisation, examples (polyester, nylon) and naturally occurring polymers (DNA, proteins, starch, cellulose)
C8
Chemical analysis
6 topics- C8.1Pure substances and formulations: definition of pure, melting/boiling point as test of purity and what a formulation is
- C8.2Chromatography: paper chromatography, calculating Rf values and identifying pure vs impure substances (required practical)
- C8.3Identification of common gases: tests for hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and chlorine
- C8.4Identification of cations using flame tests (HT): characteristic flame colours for Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Cu²⁺
- C8.5Identification of cations and anions using sodium hydroxide and other tests (HT): metal hydroxide precipitates, tests for carbonates, sulfates and halides
- C8.6Instrumental methods of analysis (HT): advantages over chemical tests, including flame emission spectroscopy
C9
Chemistry of the atmosphere
5 topics- C9.1The composition of today’s atmosphere: nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, water vapour and trace gases
- C9.2Evolution of the atmosphere: early volcanic atmosphere, formation of oceans, decline of CO₂ and rise of oxygen
- C9.3Greenhouse gases and global climate change: carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour; the greenhouse effect and human activities
- C9.4Carbon footprint and its reduction: definition, ways to reduce, limitations and barriers
- C9.5Atmospheric pollutants from fuels: carbon monoxide, soot, sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and their effects
C10
Using resources
10 topics- C10.1Using the Earth’s resources and sustainable development: finite vs renewable resources and the role of chemistry
- C10.2Potable water: producing potable water from groundwater and seawater (filtration, sterilisation, distillation, reverse osmosis) (required practical)
- C10.3Waste water treatment: screening, sedimentation, anaerobic digestion of sludge and aerobic biological treatment of effluent
- C10.4Alternative methods of metal extraction (HT): phytomining and bioleaching, advantages and limitations
- C10.5Life cycle assessment and recycling: stages of an LCA and how to evaluate the environmental impact of products
- C10.6Ways of reducing the use of resources: reduce, reuse and recycle of metals, glass, building materials and plastics
- C10.7Corrosion and its prevention (HT): conditions for rusting, sacrificial protection, electroplating, galvanising
- C10.8Alloys as useful materials (HT): bronze, brass, steels (low-carbon, high-carbon, stainless), gold alloys (carats) and aluminium alloys
- C10.9Ceramics, polymers and composites (HT): properties and uses, including thermosoftening vs thermosetting polymers
- C10.10The Haber process and the use of NPK fertilisers (HT): conditions for the Haber process, equilibrium considerations, and industrial production of fertilisers