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ZIMSEC · A Level

Chemistry

10 topics10 with notes

Upper 6Writing A Level finals this year?Revision mode: every Chemistry past paper by year, with marking schemes, and a checklist of the whole syllabus.
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Form 5 · Lower 6 4 topics

  1. Atomic structure and electron configuration Electrons occupy s, p, d and f sub-shells. An orbital holds up to two electrons of opposite spin. Order of filling: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p. Notes 1 PDF
  2. Chemical bonding, shapes and intermolecular forces Ionic (electrostatic attraction between ions), covalent (shared pairs, including dative bonds where both electrons come from one atom, e.g. NH₄⁺) and metallic. Notes 1 PDF
  3. Stoichiometry and the mole The reactant that runs out first determines the amount of product. Notes 1 PDF
  4. Chemical energetics ΔH is negative for exothermic and positive for endothermic reactions. Standard conditions: 298 K, 100 kPa (or 1 atm), 1 mol dm⁻³. Notes 1 PDF

Form 6 · Upper 6 1 topicsExam year

  1. Reaction kinetics Rate = change in concentration ÷ time. Reactions need collisions with energy ≥ activation energy and the correct orientation. The Boltzmann distribution shows that at a higher temperature many more molecules exceed the activation energy; a catalyst lowers the activation energy. Notes 1 PDF

Form 5 · Lower 6 1 topics

  1. Chemical equilibria and acid–base chemistry In a closed system, forward and reverse rates are equal and concentrations remain constant. Notes 1 PDF

Form 6 · Upper 6 1 topicsExam year

  1. Redox and electrochemistry Oxidation is an increase in oxidation number (loss of electrons); reduction is a decrease (gain). Rules: elements 0; O usually −2; H usually +1; the sum in a compound is 0, in an ion its charge. Notes 1 PDF

Form 5 · Lower 6 2 topics

  1. The periodic table: periodicity, groups and transition elements Reactivity increases down the group. Hydroxides become more soluble and sulfates less soluble down the group; carbonates and nitrates become more thermally stable down the group (larger cations polarise the anion less). Notes 1 PDF
  2. Organic chemistry: hydrocarbons and halogenoalkanes Homologous series, functional groups, IUPAC naming and isomerism: structural (chain, position, functional group) and stereoisomerism (geometric cis/trans around C=C; optical, with a chiral carbon bonded to four different groups). Notes 1 PDF

Form 6 · Upper 6 1 topicsExam year

  1. Organic chemistry: oxygen and nitrogen compounds, polymers and analysis Primary alcohols oxidise (acidified K₂Cr₂O₇, orange → green) to aldehydes (distil off) then carboxylic acids (reflux); secondary to ketones; tertiary resist oxidation. Dehydration with concentrated acid gives alkenes; esterification with acids gives esters. Notes 1 PDF