AQA GCSE Chemistry Paper 2 - Complete Topic Overview
Rate of reaction is all about how quickly chemical changes happen. You'll calculate rates using the amount of products or reactants over time, and learn to draw tangents on graphs to find initial rates. The key here is understanding collision theory - particles need enough energy (called activation energy) to react when they bump into each other.
Several factors speed up or slow down reactions: concentration, temperature, pressure, and surface area. Catalysts are special substances that speed things up without getting used up themselves - they're like the ultimate chemistry shortcuts.
Reversible reactions can go both ways, and when they reach dynamic equilibrium, the forward and backward reactions happen at the same rate. Think of it like a busy revolving door where people enter and leave at exactly the same pace.
In analytical chemistry, you'll master techniques like chromatography to separate mixtures and calculate Rf values. You'll also learn specific tests to identify gases like hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and chlorine - these are proper detective skills for chemists.
Organic chemistry focuses on carbon compounds, starting with crude oil and its fractional distillation. You'll study alkanes and alkenes, learn about cracking processes, and explore how alcohols and carboxylic acids behave. Addition polymerisation shows how small molecules join to make plastics.
Understanding Earth's atmosphere reveals how our planet's air composition changed over billions of years. Greenhouse gases and climate change connect chemistry to real-world environmental issues, whilst learning about potable water treatment shows chemistry solving practical problems.
Quick Tip: Focus on writing balanced equations and practising calculations - these skills appear across every topic and are essential for top marks.