Combined Science Chemistry Foundation

GCSE chemistry – Year 10 Key Topics

⚡ 1. Atomic structure and the periodic table

• A simple model of the atom, symbols, relative atomic mass, electronic charge and isotopes
  • Atoms, elements and compounds
  • Mixtures
  • The development of the model of the atom
  • Relative electrical charges of subatomic particles
  • Size and mass of atoms
  • Relative atomic mass
  • Electronic structure
• The periodic table
  • The periodic table
  • Development of the periodic table
  • Metals and non-metals
  • Group 0
  • Group 1
  • Group 7
• Properties of transition metals

⚡ 2. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter

• Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic
  • Chemical bonds
  • Ionic bonding
  • Ionic compounds
  • Covalent bonding
  • Metallic bonding
• How bonding and structure are related to the properties of substances
  • The three states of matter
  • State symbols
  • Properties of ionic compounds
  • Properties of small molecules
  • Polymers
  • Giant covalent structures
  • Properties of metals and alloys
  • Metals as conductors
• Structure and bonding of carbon
  • Diamond
  • Graphite
  • Graphene and fullerenes
• Bulk and surface properties of matter including nanoparticles

⚡ 3. Quantitative chemistry

• Chemical measurements, conservation of mass and the quantitative interpretation of chemical equations
  • Conservation of mass and balanced chemical equations
  • Relative formula mass
  • Mass changes when a reactant or product is a gas
  • Chemical measurements
• Use of amount of substance in relation to masses of pure substances
  • Concentration of solutions
• Yield and atom economy of chemical reactions
• Using concentrations of solutions in mol/dm
  • Using concentrations of solutions in mol/dm
• Use of amount of substance in relation to volumes of gases
  • Use of amount of substance in relation to volumes of gases

⚡ 4. Chemical changes

• Reactivity of metals
  • Metal oxides
  • The reactivity series
  • Extraction of metals and reduction
• Reactions of acids
  • Reactions of acids with metals
  • Neutralisation of acids and salt production
  • Soluble salts
  • The pH scale and neutralisation
• Electrolysis
  • The process of electrolysis
  • Electrolysis of molten ionic compounds
  • Using electrolysis to extract metals
  • Electrolysis of aqueous solutions

⚡ 5. Energy changes

• Exothermic and endothermic reactions
  • Energy transfer during exothermic and endothermic reactions
  • Reaction profiles
• Chemical cells and fuel cells

GCSE chemistry – Year 11 Key Topics

⚡ 1. The rate and extent of chemical change

• Rate of reaction
  • Calculating rates of reactions
  • Factors which affect the rates of chemical reactions
  • Collision theory and activation energy
  • Catalysts
• Reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium
  • Reversible reactions
  • Energy changes and reversible reactions
  • Equilibrium

⚡ 2. Organic chemistry

• Carbon compounds as fuels and feedstock
  • Crude oil, hydrocarbons and alkanes
  • Fractional distillation and petrochemicals
  • Properties of hydrocarbons
  • Cracking and alkenes
• Reactions of alkenes and alcohols
• Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers

⚡ 3. Chemical analysis

• Purity, formulations and chromatography
  • Pure substances
  • Formulations
  • Chromatography
• Identification of common gases
  • Test for hydrogen
  • Test for oxygen
  • Test for carbon dioxide
  • Test for chlorine
• Identification of ions by chemical and spectroscopic means

⚡ 4. Chemistry of the atmosphere

• The composition and evolution of the Earth's atmosphere
  • The proportions of different gases in the atmosphere
  • The Earth's early atmosphere
  • How oxygen increased
  • How carbon dioxide decreased
• Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases
  • Greenhouse gases
  • Human activities which contribute to an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
  • Global climate change
  • The carbon footprint and its reduction
• Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources
  • Atmospheric pollutants from fuels
  • Properties and effects of atmospheric pollutants

⚡ 5. Using resources

• Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water
  • Using the Earth's resources and sustainable development
  • Potable water
  • Waste water treatment
• Life cycle assessment and recycling
  • Life cycle assessment
  • Ways of reducing the use of resources
• Using materials
• The Haber process and the use of NPK fertilisers

What We Focus On In Tuition

• Clear explanation of chemical concepts and reactions
• Step-by-step guidance on calculations & formulas
• Hands-on practical skills & experiment understanding
• Practice with real GCSE exam questions
• Support for both Foundation & Higher tiers
• Confidence building for Grade 5–9 success