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OxfordAQA A Level Chemistry

Syllabus 9620 · For teaching from September 2019 (exams from May/June 2020) onwards · sourced from OxfordAQA International AS and A-level Chemistry (9620) specification, Version 5.3, Section 3 Subject content (all 87 sub-topic names re-checked against it, 2026-09-16), verified 2026-09-16.

  1. 1. Atomic structure (AS)

    • 3.1.1.1 Fundamental particles
    • 3.1.1.2 Mass number and isotopes
    • 3.1.1.3 Electron configuration

  2. 2. Amount of substance (AS)

    • 3.1.2.1 Relative atomic mass and relative molecular mass
    • 3.1.2.2 The mole and the Avogadro constant
    • 3.1.2.3 The ideal gas equation
    • 3.1.2.4 Empirical and molecular formula
    • 3.1.2.5 Balanced equations and associated calculations

  3. 3. Bonding (AS)

    • 3.1.3.1 Ionic bonding
    • 3.1.3.2 Nature of covalent and dative covalent bonds
    • 3.1.3.3 Metallic bonding
    • 3.1.3.4 Bonding and physical properties
    • 3.1.3.5 Shapes of simple molecules and ions
    • 3.1.3.6 Bond polarity
    • 3.1.3.7 Forces between molecules

  4. 4. Energetics (AS)

    • 3.1.4.1 Enthalpy change
    • 3.1.4.2 Calorimetry
    • 3.1.4.3 Applications of Hess’s law
    • 3.1.4.4 Bond enthalpies

  5. 5. Oxidation, reduction and redox equations (AS)

    • 3.1.5.1 Oxidation, reduction and redox equations

  6. 6. Kinetics (AS)

    • 3.1.6.1 Collision theory
    • 3.1.6.2 Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution
    • 3.1.6.3 Effect of temperature on reaction rate
    • 3.1.6.4 Effect of concentration and pressure
    • 3.1.6.5 Catalysts

  7. 7. Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc (AS)

    • 3.1.7.1 Chemical equilibria and Le Chatelier’s principle
    • 3.1.7.2 Equilibrium constant Kc for homogeneous systems

  8. 8. Thermodynamics (A)

    • 3.1.8.1 Born–Haber cycles
    • 3.1.8.2 Gibbs free-energy change, ∆G, and entropy change, ∆S

  9. 9. Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells (A)

    • 3.1.9.1 Electrode potentials and cells
    • 3.1.9.2 Commercial applications of electrochemical cells

  10. 10. Acids and bases (A)

    • 3.1.10.1 Brønsted–Lowry acid–base equilibria in aqueous solution
    • 3.1.10.2 Definition and determination of pH
    • 3.1.10.3 The ionic product of water, Kw
    • 3.1.10.4 Weak acids and bases; Ka for weak acids
    • 3.1.10.5 pH curves, titrations and indicators
    • 3.1.10.6 Buffer action

  11. 11. Rate equations (A)

    • 3.1.11.1 Rate equations
    • 3.1.11.2 Determination of rate equation

  12. 12. Equilibrium constant Kp for homogeneous systems (A)

    • 3.1.12.1 Equilibrium constant Kp for homogeneous systems

  13. 13. Periodicity (AS)

    • 3.2.1.1 Classification
    • 3.2.1.2 Physical properties of Period 3 elements

  14. 14. Group 2, the alkaline earth metals (AS)

    • 3.2.2.1 Group 2, the alkaline earth metals

  15. 15. Group 7(17), the halogens (AS)

    • 3.2.3.1 Trends in properties
    • 3.2.3.2 Uses of chlorine and chlorate(I)

  16. 16. Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides and chlorides (A)

    • 3.2.4.1 Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides and chlorides

  17. 17. Transition metals (A)

    • 3.2.5.1 General properties of transition metals
    • 3.2.5.2 Substitution reactions
    • 3.2.5.3 Shapes of complex ions
    • 3.2.5.4 Formation of coloured ions
    • 3.2.5.5 Variable oxidation states
    • 3.2.5.6 Catalysts

  18. 18. Reactions of ions in aqueous solution (A)

    • 3.2.6.1 Reactions of ions in aqueous solution

  19. 19. Introduction to organic chemistry (AS)

    • 3.3.1.1 Nomenclature
    • 3.3.1.2 Reaction mechanisms
    • 3.3.1.3 Isomerism

  20. 20. Alkanes (AS)

    • 3.3.2.1 Fractional distillation of crude oil
    • 3.3.2.2 Modification of alkanes by cracking
    • 3.3.2.3 Combustion of alkanes
    • 3.3.2.4 Chlorination of alkanes

  21. 21. Halogenoalkanes (AS)

    • 3.3.3.1 Nucleophilic substitution
    • 3.3.3.2 Elimination

  22. 22. Alkenes (AS)

    • 3.3.4.1 Structure, bonding and reactivity
    • 3.3.4.2 Addition reactions of alkenes
    • 3.3.4.3 Addition polymers
    • 3.3.4.4 Epoxyethane

  23. 23. Alcohols (AS)

    • 3.3.5.1 Oxidation of alcohols
    • 3.3.5.2 Elimination

  24. 24. Organic analysis (AS)

    • 3.3.6.1 Identification of functional groups by test tube reactions
    • 3.3.6.2 Mass spectrometry
    • 3.3.6.3 Infrared spectroscopy

  25. 25. Optical isomerism (A)

    • 3.3.7.1 Optical isomerism

  26. 26. Aldehydes and ketones (A)

    • 3.3.8.1 Aldehydes and ketones

  27. 27. Carboxylic acids and derivatives (A)

    • 3.3.9.1 Carboxylic acids and esters
    • 3.3.9.2 Acylation

  28. 28. Aromatic chemistry (A)

    • 3.3.10.1 Bonding
    • 3.3.10.2 Electrophilic substitution

  29. 29. Amines (A)

    • 3.3.11.1 Preparation
    • 3.3.11.2 Base properties
    • 3.3.11.3 Nucleophilic properties

  30. 30. Polymers (A)

    • 3.3.12.1 Condensation polymers
    • 3.3.12.2 Biodegradability and disposal of polymers

  31. 31. Amino acids and proteins (A)

    • 3.3.13.1 Amino acids
    • 3.3.13.2 Proteins
    • 3.3.13.3 Action of anticancer drugs

  32. 32. Organic synthesis (A)

    Subtopics for this topic are not listed here yet; check the official document for the full content.

  33. 33. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (A)

    • 3.3.15.1 Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

  34. 34. Chromatography (A)

    • 3.3.16.1 Chromatography