Middle School Curriculum Booklet 25-27

Chemistry

Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry 4CH1

Why study Chemistry? Chemistry is concerned with matter and so it is the study of everything. It affects every aspect of our lives; from the intricate biochemical reactions occurring in our cells to the industrial scale production of food. Chemistry is not only responsible for everything we have now but is also at the forefront of research to improve the future. Specifically, it is the study of particles and how they combine and react. You will acquire a knowledge and understanding of chemical patterns and apply them to both familiar and unfamiliar situations. This is a highly practical subject, and a substantial part of lesson time is spent carrying out investigations, where you are encouraged to make links to theoretical ideas. In this rapidly-changing technological world, you will also develop chemical understanding and skills that enable you to problem-solve in a wider context.

What does the course cover? The course covers a broad scope of the study of Chemistry, with plenty of opportunity for practical work, and provides a very solid foundation from which to graduate to further study.

Areas studied include:

Principles of Chemistry – all about atoms Inorganic Chemistry – all about the elements Organic Chemistry – the stuff of life (carbon) Physical Chemistry – how everything reacts

How is the course assessed? The final grade is based on performance in two written examinations:

Paper 1: 61% of final mark, 2 hours

A mixture of question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions.

Paper 2: 39% of final mark, 1 hour 15 minutes

A mixture of question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions.

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