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AQA A-Level Chemistry revision

Work through AQA in syllabus order. Each specification point has a short explanation, with equations, calculations and exam warnings where they help.

Start at the beginning or jump to the topic you need

The notes stay close to the AQA course. Open a topic, check each line, then use the linked Chemistry Help questions when you want to test it.

3.1 Physical Chemistry

3.1.1 Atomic Structure Use particle counts, mass spectra and ionisation energies to connect atomic structure with experimental evidence. 3.1.2 Amount of Substance Use the mole confidently across masses, particles, solutions, gases, formulae and balanced equations. 3.1.3 Bonding Link bonding and structure to shape, polarity, intermolecular forces and physical properties. 3.1.4 Energetics Use calorimetry, Hess cycles and bond enthalpies to calculate and explain enthalpy changes. 3.1.5 Kinetics Use collision theory and Maxwell–Boltzmann distributions to explain how conditions change reaction rate. 3.1.6 Equilibria (Kc) Predict equilibrium shifts and use Kc expressions and calculations correctly. 3.1.7 Redox Track oxidation states, electron transfer and half-equations accurately.

3.2 Inorganic Chemistry

3.2.1 Periodicity Explain Period 3 trends using electron structure, bonding and the forces between particles. 3.2.2 Group 2 Use Group 2 trends, reactions and tests to connect observations with ionic chemistry. 3.2.3 Group 7 (Halogens) Use halogen trends, redox chemistry and qualitative tests to predict and identify reactions.

3.3 Organic Chemistry

3.3.1 Introduction to Organic Chemistry Read, name and represent organic structures, then use core reaction and mechanism language precisely. 3.3.2 Alkanes Connect alkane structure with combustion, cracking and free-radical substitution. 3.3.3 Halogenoalkanes Use bond polarity and bond strength to explain substitution, elimination and environmental chemistry. 3.3.4 Alkenes Use the C=C bond to explain stereoisomerism, electrophilic addition and addition polymerisation. 3.3.5 Alcohols Use preparation, oxidation, elimination and combustion reactions to move between alcohols and related functional groups. 3.3.6 Organic Analysis Combine chemical tests, infrared spectra and mass spectra to identify organic compounds.

3.1 Advanced Physical Chemistry

3.1.8 Thermodynamics Combine lattice, hydration, solution, entropy and Gibbs-energy ideas to judge energetic feasibility. 3.1.9 Rate Equations Extract orders and rate constants from data, then connect rate equations with mechanisms and Arrhenius behaviour. 3.1.10 Equilibrium Constant Kp Build Kp expressions from partial pressures and use them to analyse gas equilibria. 3.1.11 Electrode Potentials Use standard electrode potentials, cell notation and electrochemical cells to predict feasible redox reactions. 3.1.12 Acids and Bases Move between acid-base definitions, Ka, Kw, pH, titration curves and buffer calculations.

3.2 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

3.2.4 Period 3 Elements and Oxides Relate Period 3 structure and oxide chemistry to bonding, acidity and basicity. 3.2.5 Transition Metals Work confidently with complex ions, colours, ligand exchange, redox chemistry and transition-metal catalysis. 3.2.6 Reactions of Ions in Aqueous Solution Use acid-base and precipitation reactions of aqueous metal ions to predict observations and equations.

3.3 Advanced Organic Chemistry

3.3.7 Optical Isomerism Recognise chirality and explain why enantiomers behave differently in chiral environments. 3.3.8 Aldehydes and Ketones Use oxidation, reduction, nucleophilic addition and carbonyl tests to distinguish and react aldehydes and ketones. 3.3.9 Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives Connect carboxylic acids, esters, acyl chlorides and acid anhydrides through their reactions and mechanisms. 3.3.10 Aromatic Chemistry Use benzene delocalisation and electrophilic substitution to explain aromatic structure and reactions. 3.3.11 Amines Use the nitrogen lone pair to explain amine preparation, basicity, nucleophilicity and acylation. 3.3.12 Polymers Build and break down condensation polymers, then connect polymer structure with properties and disposal. 3.3.13 Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA Connect amino-acid chemistry with proteins, enzymes, DNA and the action of cisplatin. 3.3.14 Organic Synthesis Plan efficient multi-step routes using only the reaction chemistry required by AQA. 3.3.15 NMR Spectroscopy Combine chemical shift, integration and splitting with carbon environments to work out organic structures. 3.3.16 Chromatography Use stationary/mobile phase interactions, Rf and retention time to explain separation and identification.