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OCR A-level Chemistry Revision Notes

Our OCR A-Level Chemistry revision notes have been split into categories to make it easy to dive into the topics you feel you need to revise. Covering all topics, these bite-sized A Level chemistry OCR revision notes include simple explanations and images to make it easier to digest even the trickiest of concepts.

OCR 2.1.1 Atomic structure and Isotopes

Amount of Substance – Measuring Relative Masses (A-Level Chemistry)

Atomic Structure – Mass Spectrometry (A-Level Chemistry)

Atomic Structure – Element Isotopes (A-Level Chemistry)

Atomic Structure – Atomic and Mass Number (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 2.1.2 Compounds, Formulae and Equations

Bonding – Ion Formation (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance – Balancing Chemical Equations (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 2.1.3 Amount of Substance

Amount of Substance – Percentage Atom Economy (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance – Calculating Percentage Yields (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance – Empirical and Molecular Formulae (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance – Further Mole Calculations (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance- The Mole and The Avogadro Constant (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance – The Ideal Gas Equation (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 2.1.4 Acids

Acids and Bases – Titrations (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Neutralisation Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – The Brønsted-Lowry Acid-Base Theory (A-Level Chemistry)

Electrode Potentials and Electrochemical Cells – Commercial Applications of Fuel Cells (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 2.1.5 Redox

Oxidation, Reduction and Redox Equations – Redox Processes (A-Level Chemistry)

Oxidation, Reduction and Redox Equations – Oxidation States (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 2.2.1 Electron structure

Atomic Structure – Electron Arrangement (A-Level Chemistry)

Atomic Structure – Electrons in Atoms (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 2.2.2 Bonding and Structure

Bonding – Hydrogen Bonding in Water (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Forces Between Molecules (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Bond Polarity (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Molecular Shapes (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Properties of Covalent Structures (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Covalent Bonds (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Properties of Ionic Bonding (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 3.1.1 Periodicity

Periodicity – Trends Along Period 3 (A-Level Chemistry)

Ionisation Energies (A-Level Chemistry)

Periodicity – Classification (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Carbon Allotropes (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Properties of Metallic Bonding (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 3.1.2 Group 2

Uses of Group 2 Elements and their Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

Reactions of Group 2 Elements (A-Level Chemistry)

Group 2, The Alkaline Earth Metals (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 3.1.3 The Halogens

The Halogens -Halide Ions and their Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

The Halogens – Disproportionation Reactions in Halogens (A-Level Chemistry)

The Halogens – Reactions with Halogens (A-Level Chemistry)

The Halogens – Group 7, The Halogens (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 3.1.4 Qualitative analysis

The Halogens – Testing for Ions (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 3.2.2 Reaction rates

Rate Equations – Measuring Rate of Reaction (A-Level Chemistry)

Kinetics – The Maxwell–Boltzmann Distribution and Catalysts (A-Level Chemistry)

Kinetics – The Collision Theory and Reaction Rates (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 3.2.3 Chemical equilibrium

Calculations with Equilibrium Constants (A-Level Chemistry)

Chemical Equilibria applied to Industry (A-Level Chemistry)

Chemical Equilibria and Le Chatelier’s Principle (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 4.1.1 Basic Concepts of Organic Chemistry

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – Structural Isomers (A-Level Chemistry)

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – Reaction Mechanisms in Organic Chemistry (A-Level Chemistry)

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – General Formulae (A-Level Chemistry)

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – Introduction to Functional Groups (A-Level Chemistry)

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – Naming and Representing Organic Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 4.1.2 Alkanes

Alkanes – Alkanes: Properties and Reactivity (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 4.1.3 Alkenes

Alkenes – Addition Polymerisation in Alkenes (A-Level Chemistry)

Alkenes – Alkene Structure and Reactivity (A-Level Chemistry)

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – E/Z Isomerism (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 4.2.1 Alcohols

Alcohols – Alcohol Reactivity (A-Level Chemistry)

Alcohols – Alcohol oxidation (A-Level Chemistry)

Alcohols – Introduction to Alcohols (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 4.2.2 Haloalkanes

Halogenoalkanes – Environmental Impact of Halogenalkanes (A-Level Chemistry)

Halogenoalkanes – Reactivity of Halogenoalkanes (A-Level Chemistry)

Halogenoalkanes – Introduction to Halogenoalkanes (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 4.2.3 Organic synthesis

Organic Synthesis – Organic Synthesis: Aliphatic Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Synthesis – Practical Purification Techniques (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Synthesis – Practical Preparation Techniques (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Analysis – Identification of Functional Groups (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 4.2.4 Analytical techniques

Organic Analysis – Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Analysis – Identification of Functional Groups (A-Level Chemistry)

Atomic Structure – Mass Spectrometry (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 5.1.1 Rates, Equilibrium and pH

Rate Equations – Reaction Determining Steps (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Reaction Half Lives (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Uses of Clock Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Determining Orders of Reactions Graphically (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Determining Order of Reaction Experimentally (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Temperature Changes and the Rate Constant (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – The Rate Constant (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Introduction to Orders of Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – The Rate Equation (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 5.1.2 How fast?

Equilibrium Constant for Homogenous Systems – Le Chatelier’s Principle in Gas Equilibria (A-Level Chemistry)

Equilibrium Constant for Homogenous Systems – Gas Equilibria and Kp (A-Level Chemistry)

Equilibrium Constant for Homogeneous System – Changing Kp (A-Level Chemistry)

Equilibrium Constant for Homogenous Systems – Gas Partial Pressures (A-Level Chemistry)

Calculations with Equilibrium Constants (A-Level Chemistry)

Chemical Equilibria applied to Industry (A-Level Chemistry)

Chemical Equilibria and Le Chatelier’s Principle (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 5.1.3 Acids, Bases and Buffers

Acids and Bases – Acid-Base Indicators (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Titrations (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Buffer Action (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Dilutions and pH (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – pH of Strong Bases (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Ionic Product of Water (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – More Ka Calculations (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – The Acid Dissociation Constant, Ka (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – The pH Scale and Strong Acids (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Neutralisation Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 5.2.1 Lattice enthalpy

Thermodynamic – Calculating Enthalpy Changes of Solution (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Enthalpy of Solution (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Calculations involving Born-Haber Cycles (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Construction of Born-Haber Cycles (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Enthalpy Key Terms (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Lattice Enthalpies (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 5.2.2 Enthalpy and Entropy

Thermodynamic – Calculations involving Free Energy (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Gibbs Free Energy (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Total Entropy Changes (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Introduction to Entropy (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 5.2.3 Redox and Electrode potentials

Transition Metals – Examples of Redox Reactions in Transition Metals (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Iodine-Sodium Thiosulfate Titrations (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Carrying Titrations with Potassium Permanganate (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Redox Titrations (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Redox Potentials (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Redox Reactions Revisited (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Acid-Base Indicators (A-Level Chemistry)

Electrode Potentials and Electrochemical Cells – Commercial Applications of Fuel Cells (A-Level Chemistry)

Electrode Potentials and Electrochemical Cells – Electrochemical Cells Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

Electrode Potentials and Electrochemical Cells – Electrode Potentials (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 5.3.1 Transition elements

Precipitation Reactions of Metal Ions in Solution (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Iodine-Sodium Thiosulfate Titrations (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Carrying Titrations with Potassium Permanganate (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Redox Titrations (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Ligand Substitution Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Colour in Transition Metal Ions (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Optical Isomerism in Complex Ions (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Cis-Trans Isomerism in Complex Ions (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Complex Ion Shape (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Ligands (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 5.3.2 Qualitative analysis

Precipitation Reactions of Metal Ions in Solution (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.1.1 Aromatic compounds

Aromatic Chemistry – Reactivity of Substituted Benzene (A-Level Chemistry)

Aromatic Chemistry – Friedel-Crafts Acylation and Alkylation (A-Level Chemistry)

Aromatic Chemistry – Halogenation Reactions in Benzene (A-Level Chemistry)

Aromatic Chemistry – Electrophilic Substitution Reactions in Benzene (A-Level Chemistry)

Aromatic Chemistry – Benzene Nomenclature (A-Level Chemistry)

Aromatic Chemistry – Improved Benzene Model (A-Level Chemistry)

Aromatic Chemistry – Introduction to Benzene (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.1.2 Carbonyl compounds

Aldehydes and Ketones – Reactions to Increase Carbon Chain Length (A-Level Chemistry)

Aldehydes and Ketones – Testing for Carbonyl Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

Aldehydes and Ketones – Reactivity of Carbonyl Compunds (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.1.3 Carboxylic acids and Esters

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives – Acyl Groups (A-Level Chemistry)

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives – Properties and Reactivity of Esters (A-Level Chemistry)

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives – Properties and Reactivity of Carboxylic Acids (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.2.1 Amines

Amines – Introduction to Amines (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.2.2 Amino acids, Amides and Chirality

Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA – Structure of Amino Acids (A-Level Chemistry)

Amines – Properties and Reactivity of Amines (A-Level Chemistry)

Amines – Amine Synthesis (A-Level Chemistry)

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives – Structure of Amides (A-Level Chemistry)

Optical Isomerism (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.2.3 Polyesters and Polyamides

Polymer Biodegradability (A-Level Chemistry)

Condensation Polymers (A-Level Chemistry)

Polyamide Formation (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.2.4 Carbon–carbon Bond Formation

Organic Synthesis – Organic Synthesis: Aliphatic Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

Amines – Nitriles (A-Level Chemistry)

Amines – Amine Synthesis (A-Level Chemistry)

Aromatic Chemistry – Friedel-Crafts Acylation and Alkylation (A-Level Chemistry)

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives – Acyl Groups (A-Level Chemistry)

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives – Properties and Reactivity of Esters (A-Level Chemistry)

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives – Properties and Reactivity of Carboxylic Acids (A-Level Chemistry)

Aldehydes and Ketones – Reactions to Increase Carbon Chain Length (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.2.5 Organic synthesis

Organic Synthesis – Considerations in Organic Synthesis (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Synthesis – Organic Synthesis: Aliphatic Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Synthesis – Practical Purification Techniques (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Synthesis – Practical Preparation Techniques (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.3.1 Chromatography and Qualitative Analysis

Analytical Techniques – Different Types of Chromatography (A-Level Chemistry)

Analytical Techniques – Chromatography (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Analysis – Identification of Functional Groups (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.3.2 Spectroscopy

Analytical Techniques – Deuterium use in ¹H NMR (A-Level Chemistry)

Analytical Techniques – High Resolution ¹H NMR (A-Level Chemistry)

Analytical Techniques – Types of NMR: Hydrogen (A-Level Chemistry)

Analytical Techniques – Types of NMR: Carbon 13 (A-Level Chemistry)

Analytical Techniques – NMR Samples and Standards (A-Level Chemistry)

Analytical Techniques – Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (A-Level Chemistry)

FAQs

Read some of our most frequently asked questions and answers

How should I use the OCR A-Level Chemistry revision notes?

There is no right way to revise for your exams. Our chemistry A Level revision notes OCR give you a comprehensive guide to all topics covered in the exams. You can choose to dip into them for a quick recap or use them as a base to write your own notes.

What is covered in the OCR A-Level Chemistry exam?

There are 6 modules that are assessed in the exams: Development of practical skills in chemistry, Foundations in chemistry, Periodic table and energy, Core organic chemistry, Physical chemistry and transition elements, and Organic chemistry and analysis. Use our OCR A Level chemistry revision notes to complement your revision.

How long is the OCR A-Level Chemistry exam?

Students are required to sit three papers. Paper 1: Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry and Paper 2:Synthesis and analytical techniques are both 2 hours and 15 minutes long. They carry a weighting of 37% of your final score. Paper 3: Unified chemistry is 1 hour and 30 minutes long and carries a weighting of 26%. Students are also required to pass a practical endorsement in chemistry but this is done in class and not as an exam.

Is it possible to just use the OCR chemistry A Level revision notes?

While the revision notes are a good tool to support revision, we recommend using them alongside other methods, such as your own notes, flashcards and other websites, including BBC Bitesize.