Course Overview

This unit provides a foundation in atomic structure, periodicity, and chemical bonding, alongside an introduction to organic chemistry. Students explore the arrangement of electrons in atoms, periodic trends, and the nature of ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds. Intermolecular forces are examined in relation to physical properties. The organic section introduces nomenclature, isomerism, and the chemistry of alkanes, alkenes, and halogenoalkanes. Practical work develops skills in qualitative analysis, synthesis, and purification, linking theory to laboratory practice.

Key Topics:

• Atomic structure: subatomic particles, electron configuration
• Periodicity: trends in ionisation energy, atomic radius, electronegativity
• Bonding: ionic, covalent, metallic; shapes of molecules; intermolecular forces
• Introduction to organic chemistry: nomenclature, structural and stereoisomerism
• Alkanes: properties, combustion, substitution reactions
• Alkenes: addition reactions, polymerisation
• Halogenoalkanes: nucleophilic substitution, elimination
• Practical skills: qualitative tests, distillation, recrystallisation