United Kingdom · National Curriculum Attainment Targets
Year 12 Chemistry
This course bridges the gap between GCSE and advanced chemistry by exploring the quantitative and structural nature of matter. Students investigate the fundamental laws governing atomic behavior, energetic transitions, and the mechanisms of organic and inorganic reactions.
Atomic Architecture and Periodic Trends
Exploration of subatomic particles, electron configurations, and how these structures dictate the periodic arrangement of elements.
Examining the evidence for the subatomic model and the calculation of relative atomic masses from isotopic data.
Mapping electrons into s, p, and d orbitals and using ionisation energy data to prove shell theory.
Analyzing trends in melting points, boiling points, and atomic radii across Period 3.
The Language of Chemistry: Stoichiometry
Mastering the quantitative aspects of chemical reactions through the mole concept and balanced equations.
Connecting the macroscopic mass of substances to the microscopic number of atoms and molecules.
Calculating theoretical yields and identifying limiting reagents in complex chemical processes.
Evaluating the sustainability of chemical reactions based on the proportion of desired product formed.
Bonding and Molecular Geometry
Investigating how electrostatic forces hold matter together and determine the three dimensional shapes of molecules.
Understanding the lattice structures formed by electrostatic attraction between ions and delocalized electrons.
Predicting the shapes and bond angles of molecules based on electron pair repulsion.
Differentiating between London forces, permanent dipole-dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonding.
Energetics and Kinetics
Studying the energy changes during reactions and the factors that control the rate of chemical change.
Measuring heat changes in chemical reactions and using Hess's Law to calculate enthalpy indirectly.
Exploring how temperature, concentration, and catalysts influence the frequency and energy of collisions.
Analyzing the dynamic nature of equilibrium and the application of Le Chatelier's Principle.
Core Organic Chemistry
An introduction to the nomenclature, structure, and reactivity of alkanes, alkenes, and alcohols.
Examining the saturated hydrocarbons, their combustion, and the mechanism of free radical substitution.
Investigating the reactivity of the double bond and the rules governing addition reactions.
Exploring nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions in functionalized organic compounds.
Redox and Analytical Techniques
Mastering electron transfer reactions and the modern instrumental methods used to identify chemical structures.
Using oxidation numbers to track electron flow and performing titrations with oxidizing agents.
Using electromagnetic radiation and fragmentation patterns to elucidate the structure of organic molecules.
Applying multiple analytical techniques to solve real world forensic and environmental problems.