Changes to the AQA Chemistry GCSE specification for 2011*

Chemistry / Science - Chemistry 1 / Additional Science – Chemistry 2 / Extension Science – Chemistry 3
2011 / Removed / 2011 / Removed / 2011 / Removed
Atomic structure, properties and bonding /
  • Electronic structure of atoms and the periodic table (was C2).
  • Elements and compounds.
  • Metals.
  • Charges on protons, neutron and electrons (was C2).
  • Introduction to periodic table group properties.
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  • Covalent, ionic and metallic bonding.
  • Relating properties to structure.
  • Introduction to Group 1 and Group 7.
  • Allotropes of carbon including fullerenes(new).
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  • Periodic table and its development.
  • Group 1 and Group 7.
  • Transition elements.
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  • Electronic structure of transition metals.

Changing materials and chemical reactions /
  • Conservation of mass.
  • Combustion.
  • Reactivity of metals.
  • Reaction of carbonates.
  • Representing reactions.
  • Cracking hydrocarbons.
  • Polymerisation of alkenes.
/
  • Alloys in relation to the effect of different sized atoms (was C1).
  • Reactions conditions and polymer properties (was C1).
  • Reversible reactions.
  • Equilibria.
  • Rates of reaction.
  • Catalysts.
  • Energy changes.
  • Salts and solutions.
  • Acids and bases.
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  • Atom econ-omy.
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  • Effects of changing conditions on equilibria (was C2).
  • Food, fuel and energy changes (quantitative).
  • Reactions of alcohols and carboxylic acids.
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  • Acid-base theory.
  • Strengths of acids and alkalis.
  • Titrations involving weak acids or weak alkalis.

Obtaining and using materials /
  • Limestone, concrete and cement.
  • Rocks and metals: iron, steel, alloys, copper, aluminium and titanium.
  • Recycling.
  • Crude oil and fuels.
  • Phytomining, bioleaching (new).
  • Biodegradable polymers (new).
  • Plant oils and emulsions.
  • Hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties of emulsifiers(new).
  • Distillation (crude oil, plant oils and air).
  • Biofuels(new).
  • Using vegetable oils in cooking (new).
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  • Use of food additives
/
  • Developing new materials, e.g. nanoscience, smart alloys(was C1).
  • Thermo-softening and thermo-setting polymers (new).
  • Electroplating (new).
  • Extraction of aluminium (was C1).
  • Electrolysis of sodium chloride.
/
  • Distinction between temporary and permanent hard water.
  • Hydrogen as a fuel.
  • Alcohols, carboxylic acids and esters.
  • Haber process (was C2.)

Earth and environmental science /
  • Earth and its atmosphere.
  • Early atmosphere.
  • Absorption of carbon dioxide by the oceans (new).
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  • Uses of noble gases.
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  • Water for drinking.
  • Water treatment.
  • Hard water.
  • Fluoride in drinking water.
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  • Water cycle.

Chemical detection /
  • Reaction of carbonates with acid and the use of limewater to detect carbon dioxide (was C3).
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  • Instrumental methods for chemical analysis (gas chromatography and mass spectrometry) (was C3).
  • Chemical analysis for additives in food (was C1).
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  • Chemical analysis including tests for ions.
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  • Tests for ammonium and nitrate ions.
  • Identification of organic compounds

Chemical calculations /
  • Conservation of mass.
/
  • Relative atomic/formula masses, moles.
  • Reacting masses from chemical equations, percentage yield, atom economy.
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  • Energy changes.
  • Titrations.
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  • Solubility of solutes and gases.

*Subject to Ofqual accreditation.