Physical Chemistry

Atomic structure

Explain fundamental particles, isotopes, mass spectrometry, electron configuration and ionisation energy evidence.

Amount of substance

Use the mole, Avogadro constant, gas equations, empirical formulae, reacting masses and titration calculations.

Bonding

Explain ionic, covalent and metallic bonding, electronegativity, polarity, intermolecular forces and property trends.

Energetics

Define enthalpy changes and apply calorimetry, Hess's law and bond enthalpy calculations.

Kinetics

Explain rates using collision theory, Maxwell-Boltzmann distributions and catalyst effects.

Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier's principle and Kc

Describe dynamic equilibrium, predict equilibrium shifts and calculate Kc.

Oxidation, reduction and redox equations

Use oxidation states and electron transfer to construct redox equations.

Thermodynamics (A-level only)

Use enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy to predict reaction feasibility.

Rate equations (A-level only)

Determine rate equations, rate constants, orders and mechanisms from data.

Equilibrium constant Kp for homogeneous systems (A-level only)

Use partial pressures to construct and calculate Kp.

Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells (A-level only)

Use standard electrode potentials to predict redox reactions and cell voltages.

Acids and bases (A-level only)

Use acid-base theory, pH, Kw, Ka, titration curves and buffers.