AL Chemistry
A-Level Chemistry theory resources and interactives for the H2 and H1 syllabuses.
AL Chemistry Theory Resources
1. Atomic Structure
An atom’s electrons explain how it bonds, how easily it forms ions and why properties repeat across the Periodic Table. Start with the nucleus, then replace the simple shell model with…
- nside the atom
- roton number, nucleon…
- sotopes and chemical…
- eams in an electric field
2. Chemical Bonding
Use electrostatic attraction to connect particle structure with observable properties. Every explanation should identify the particles, the force between them and the energy or mobility…
- onic, covalent, metallic…
- rbital overlap: σ and π…
- olecular shape and bond…
- ond polarity and…
3. The Gaseous State
Build a model, use its equation, then explain when the model fails. This is an H2 chapter; H1 retains its own gas-volume stoichiometry in Chapter 6.
- he ideal-gas model and…
- sing pV = nRT
- as mixtures and partial…
4. Theories of Acids and Bases
Different acid–base models answer different questions. Identify the model before labelling a substance as an acid or base. Quantitative aqueous chemistry is kept in Chapter 10.
- rrhenius acids and bases
- rønsted–Lowry acids,…
- ewis acids and bases
5. The Periodic Table
Explain patterns using electronic structure, bonding and reaction evidence. Use the specified Period 3 compounds as a controlled set before applying the ideas to unknown elements.
- tomic and ionic trends
- eriod 3 melting points…
- eriod 3 oxides and…
- eriod 3 chlorides and…
6. The Mole Concept and Stoichiometry
Convert each measured quantity into moles, use the balanced equation, then convert the result into the quantity requested. A consistent method is more reliable than memorising a separate…
- elative masses, the mole…
- mpirical and molecular…
- eacting amounts, limiting…
- olutions, dilution and…
7. Chemical Energetics
Track energy with a clearly defined reaction, amount and set of conditions. H1 studies thermochemistry; H2 adds energy-cycle construction, hydration and solution cycles, entropy and Gibbs…
- nthalpy, signs and energy…
- alorimetry and evaluation
- ess’ Law and bond-energy…
- attice energy and its…
8. Reaction Kinetics
Use measurements to establish a rate equation, then use particle models and mechanisms to explain the evidence. Rate equations are experimental relationships; they cannot generally be…
- easuring rates and using…
- rders, rate equations and…
- ero order, first order…
- echanisms and the…
9. Chemical Equilibria
Equilibrium describes the extent of a reversible reaction. Keep three questions separate: how fast equilibrium is reached, what the equilibrium mixture contains and what determines the…
- ynamic equilibrium
- c and equilibrium…
- e Chatelier’s Principle…
- p and gaseous equilibria
10. Chemistry of Aqueous Solutions
Apply equilibrium ideas to hydrogen ions, buffer mixtures and sparingly soluble salts. H1’s aqueous-acid outcomes are included here under their native H1 Chapter 3 references; this…
- trong and weak acids; Ka,…
- pH of strong acids and…
- eak-acid and weak-base…
- itration curves and…
11. Organic Chemistry
Use the official 11.1–11.10 sequence. Within each family, learn structure, preparation, reactions, explanation and evidence together. H1 shows the smaller specified reaction set; H2 adds…
- unctional groups,…
- rganic shapes, σ and π…
- functional groups and…
- onstitutional isomerism
12. Electrochemistry
Apply redox ideas to the energy of chemical cells and to externally driven electrolysis. Separate electrode identity, reaction direction, potential and charge passed. H1’s redox foundations…
- edox recap and standard…
- ell potentials, electron…
- ibbs energy and combining…
- oncentration effects and…
13. Transition Elements
Use electronic configuration, redox, bonding and equilibrium to explain transition-element chemistry. Organise observations as evidence for oxidation state, complex formation or ligand…
- efinition, configurations…
- ariable oxidation states…
- igands, complexes and…
- ctahedral splitting and…
Data and Practical Skills
Apply the chemistry to unfamiliar evidence and plan reliable measurements.
- nfamiliar information and…
- nvironmental chemistry:…
- practical measurements…
AL Chemistry — Yearly Topic Analysis
Marks and percentages by topic for every H1 and H2 Paper 1 and Paper 2, 2016–2025: pick a year, compare P1 and P2, follow a topic to its questions, and download the CSV.
- By year
- Ten-year matrix
- H1 optional choices
- CSV export
AL Chemistry Question Banks
AL Chemistry — Question Bank
793 past-paper questions from all 50 H1 and H2 theory papers, 2016–2025, set out like the original paper and sorted under the concepts they test. Open the camera button to see the original scan.
- 2016–2025
- MCQ and structured
- By concept
- Original scans
AL Chemistry Interactives
3D Atomic Orbital Viewer
Spin real s, p and d orbitals in 3-D, fill the energy levels electron by electron, then watch the d orbitals split in an octahedral field to explain complex-ion colour — with a practice mode that marks your configurations.
- Orbital shapes
- Electronic configuration
- d-orbital splitting
- Complex colour
VSEPR Shape Viewer
Every molecular shape in 3-D — count electron domains and lone pairs to fix the shape, spin real molecules, predict from a formula and compare bond angles.
- Electron domains
- Lone pairs
- Molecular shape
- Bond angles
Ideal & Real Gas Simulator
Slide p, V, n and T and watch pV = nRT stay balanced in a live particle box — then switch to a real gas and see where ideal behaviour breaks down, and why.
- Kinetic theory
- Gas laws
- pV = nRT
- Dalton's law
- Real gases
Gibbs Free Energy & Spontaneity
Slide ΔH, ΔS and T and watch ΔG = ΔH − TΔS trace a straight line — find the temperature where a reaction turns feasible, and see why spontaneous doesn't mean fast.
- Entropy
- Sign of ΔS
- ΔG = ΔH − TΔS
- Feasibility
Electrolysis Predictor
Set up any electrolytic cell, predict the product at each electrode, then run it to check against an animated cell — and work the Faraday sums, F = 96 500 C mol⁻¹, both ways.
- Discharge rules
- Half-equations
- Q = It, n = Q/F
- Copper purification
- Anodising
Boltzmann Distribution
Slide the temperature and activation energy and watch the shaded tail beyond Eₐ grow — see why heating and catalysts speed reactions up, with a live particle box and a theory primer.
- Activation energy
- Maxwell–Boltzmann
- Effect of temperature
- Catalysis