AQA GCSE Chemistry topics: the full list by paper
TutorAura guide · Updated
AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462) has two papers, each 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks and worth 50% of the GCSE, at Foundation or Higher tier. Paper 1 covers topics 1 to 5: atomic structure and the periodic table; bonding, structure and the properties of matter; quantitative chemistry; chemical changes; and energy changes; Paper 2 covers topics 6 to 10: the rate and extent of chemical change; organic chemistry; chemical analysis; chemistry of the atmosphere; and using resources. Below is every topic in the specification, with the ones that are only for separate Chemistry or only for the Higher tier marked.
Key takeaways
- Paper 1: atomic structure, bonding, quantitative chemistry, chemical changes, energy changes.
- Paper 2: rates, organic chemistry, analysis, atmosphere, using resources.
- Paper 2 may draw on the fundamentals in topics 1 to 3.
- Several quantitative topics are separate-chemistry and Higher only.
4.1 Atomic structure and the periodic table
| Section | Topic | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1.1 | A simple model of the atom, symbols, relative atomic mass, electronic charge and isotopes | |
| 4.1.2 | The periodic table | |
| 4.1.3 | Properties of transition metals | Separate science only |
4.2 Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
| Section | Topic | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2.1 | Chemical bonds: ionic, covalent and metallic | |
| 4.2.2 | How bonding and structure are related to the properties of substances | |
| 4.2.3 | Structure and bonding of carbon | |
| 4.2.4 | Bulk and surface properties of matter including nanoparticles | Separate science only |
4.3 Quantitative chemistry
| Section | Topic | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 4.3.1 | Chemical measurements, conservation of mass and the quantitative interpretation of chemical equations | |
| 4.3.2 | Use of amount of substance in relation to masses of pure substances | |
| 4.3.3 | Yield and atom economy of chemical reactions | Separate science only |
| 4.3.4 | Using concentrations of solutions in mol/dm³ | Separate science, Higher only |
| 4.3.5 | Use of amount of substance in relation to volumes of gases | Separate science, Higher only |
4.4 Chemical changes
| Section | Topic | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 4.4.1 | Reactivity of metals | |
| 4.4.2 | Reactions of acids | |
| 4.4.3 | Electrolysis |
4.5 Energy changes
| Section | Topic | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 4.5.1 | Exothermic and endothermic reactions | |
| 4.5.2 | Chemical cells and fuel cells | Separate science only |
4.6 The rate and extent of chemical change
| Section | Topic | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 4.6.1 | Rate of reaction | |
| 4.6.2 | Reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium |
4.7 Organic chemistry
| Section | Topic | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 4.7.1 | Carbon compounds as fuels and feedstock | |
| 4.7.2 | Reactions of alkenes and alcohols | Separate science only |
| 4.7.3 | Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers | Separate science only |
4.8 Chemical analysis
| Section | Topic | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 4.8.1 | Purity, formulations and chromatography | |
| 4.8.2 | Identification of common gases | |
| 4.8.3 | Identification of ions by chemical and spectroscopic means | Separate science only |
4.9 Chemistry of the atmosphere
| Section | Topic | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 4.9.1 | The composition and evolution of the Earth's atmosphere | |
| 4.9.2 | Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases | |
| 4.9.3 | Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources |
4.10 Using resources
| Section | Topic | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 4.10.1 | Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water | |
| 4.10.2 | Life cycle assessment and recycling | |
| 4.10.3 | Using materials | Separate science only |
| 4.10.4 | The Haber process and the use of NPK fertilisers | Separate science only |
Combined Science
If you take AQA Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) rather than separate chemistry, you study the same topics except those marked "separate science only". Combined Science has six papers (two each for biology, chemistry and physics), each 1 hour 15 minutes and 70 marks, and is worth two GCSEs. See combined science vs triple science.
Revising the list
AQA notes that Paper 2 questions may draw on the fundamental concepts from sections 4.1 to 4.3, so atomic structure, bonding and quantitative chemistry matter for both papers. Practise calculations with the moles and relative formula mass calculators, and see GCSE chemistry revision.
Frequently asked questions
What is on AQA GCSE Chemistry Paper 1?
Atomic structure and the periodic table; bonding, structure and the properties of matter; quantitative chemistry; chemical changes; and energy changes.
What is on AQA GCSE Chemistry Paper 2?
The rate and extent of chemical change; organic chemistry; chemical analysis; chemistry of the atmosphere; and using resources.
Which topics are only in separate chemistry?
Those marked separate science only in the table, such as transition metals, nanoparticles, yield and atom economy, and the Haber process.
Sources
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