Course Outline
Session 1: Elements, Compounds, History of the Atom, Bonding and Mole Calculations
We will start with key topics in Chemistry such as understanding what is an element and a compound, chemical reactions, balancing chemical equations, the history and structure of the atom and how this leads on to understanding electronic structure and the periodic table. We will then look in more detail at isotopes, relative masses, mole and concentration calculations, ionic and covalent bonding working with past questions to ensure students have the necessary knowledge.
Session 2: States of Matter and Chemical Changes including Le Chatellier’s Principle
We will start by looking at states of matter and practical techniques to prepare and separate pure substances. We will then look at the reactivity series, metal reactivity, displacement reactions and various ways metal can be extracted from compounds. This leads naturally to understanding the reactions of acids and bases and the production of both soluble and insoluble salts, electrolysis of both molten and aqueous solutions and electrochemical cells. Finally we will look closely at dynamic equilibriums and Le Chatelier’s principle using past paper questions to ensure knowledge and understanding.
Session 3: Groups in the Periodic Table
We will start looking at the structure of the Periodic Table before looking closely at the chemistry of Group 1 metals, Group 7, the Halogens and Group 0, the Nobel gases. We will also cover the transition metals, alloys and catalysis, industrial processes, fuel cells and calculations of yield and atom economy using past paper questions and checking practical knowledge is understood.
Session 4: Rates of Reaction and Energy Changes
We will start by understanding the difference between the rate of reaction and the equilibrium position and energetic considerations. There will be discussion on how rates are calculated and how experiments are set up to do this moving on to explanations using collision theory and reaction profile diagrams. We will also look at the difference between endo and exothermic reactions and do bond energy calculations to give an indication of the energy of individual reactions using past papers to ensure knowledge is deeply embedded.
Rik
Rik is an Oxford science graduate turned full time tutor. A tutor for over 20 years Rik has helped scores of students pass their GCSEs and A-levels in maths and all three sciences. Rik works one-to-one with students as well as in small classes typically helping students improve by two grades. He will explain the material, and offer challenge to students so that they will have to think for themselves, explaining the concepts and answering the practice questions.
