| Topic 1 — Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table | Red | Amber | Green |
| Atoms, elements, compounds and mixtures | |||
| Atomic structure — protons, neutrons, electrons | |||
| Isotopes and relative atomic mass | |||
| Electron configuration (shells) | |||
| Development of the atomic model (Dalton, Bohr, nuclear) | |||
| The periodic table — periods and groups | |||
| Metals vs non-metals — properties and position | |||
| Group 1 — alkali metals, reactivity trend | |||
| Group 7 — halogens, reactivity trend, displacement | |||
| Group 0 — noble gases, properties | |||
| Transition metals — properties and uses | |||
| Topic 2 — Bonding, Structure and Properties | Red | Amber | Green |
| Ionic bonding — electron transfer, dot-and-cross | |||
| Properties of ionic compounds | |||
| Covalent bonding — simple molecules, dot-and-cross | |||
| Giant covalent structures — diamond, graphite, graphene | |||
| Metallic bonding — sea of electrons model | |||
| Alloys — why stronger than pure metals | |||
| Polymers — structure and properties | |||
| Nanoparticles — properties and uses | |||
| Topic 3 — Quantitative Chemistry | Red | Amber | Green |
| Relative formula mass (Mᵣ) calculations | |||
| Conservation of mass — balancing equations | |||
| Moles — n = m / Mᵣ | |||
| Mole ratios from balanced equations | |||
| Limiting reactants | |||
| Concentration of solutions — mol/dm³ | |||
| Percentage yield calculations | |||
| Atom economy | |||
| ★ Required practical: titration to find concentration | |||
| Topic 4 — Chemical Changes | Red | Amber | Green |
| Reactivity series of metals | |||
| Displacement reactions | |||
| Extraction of metals — reduction and electrolysis | |||
| Electrolysis of molten and aqueous compounds | |||
| Acids and alkalis — pH scale, indicators | |||
| Neutralisation reactions | |||
| Reactions of acids with metals, carbonates and metal oxides | |||
| Making soluble and insoluble salts | |||
| ★ Required practical: investigating pH changes during neutralisation | |||
| ★ Required practical: electrolysis of copper sulfate solution | |||
| Topic 5 — Energy Changes | Red | Amber | Green |
| Exothermic and endothermic reactions — examples | |||
| Reaction profiles — activation energy, enthalpy change | |||
| Bond energies — breaking (endothermic) and forming (exothermic) | |||
| Electrochemical cells and batteries | |||
| Hydrogen fuel cells — operation and advantages | |||
| ★ Required practical: measuring temperature changes in reactions |
| Topic 6 — Rate and Extent of Chemical Change | Red | Amber | Green |
| Collision theory — what affects rate | |||
| Effect of temperature on rate | |||
| Effect of concentration and surface area on rate | |||
| Catalysts — how they work, examples | |||
| Calculating rate from graphs | |||
| Reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium | |||
| Le Chatelier's principle — effect of changing conditions | |||
| Haber process — conditions and equilibrium | |||
| ★ Required practical: investigating rate of reaction (HCl + marble chips) | |||
| Topic 7 — Organic Chemistry | Red | Amber | Green |
| Crude oil — fractional distillation, fractions and uses | |||
| Alkanes — naming, properties, combustion | |||
| Cracking — thermal and catalytic | |||
| Alkenes — structure, properties, addition reactions | |||
| Addition polymers — monomers, repeat units | |||
| Condensation polymers — polyesters, nylon | |||
| Alcohols — properties, combustion, fermentation | |||
| Carboxylic acids — properties, esterification | |||
| Topic 8 — Chemical Analysis | Red | Amber | Green |
| Pure substances vs mixtures — melting and boiling points | |||
| Chromatography — Rf values, interpreting chromatograms | |||
| Testing for gases — H₂, O₂, CO₂, HCl, Cl₂ | |||
| Flame tests — identifying metal ions by colour | |||
| Precipitation tests — identifying metal and non-metal ions | |||
| ★ Required practical: paper chromatography of inks | |||
| Topic 9 — Chemistry of the Atmosphere | Red | Amber | Green |
| Composition of the atmosphere — % N₂, O₂, Ar, CO₂ | |||
| History of Earth's atmosphere | |||
| Greenhouse gases and global warming | |||
| Carbon footprint — factors and reducing it | |||
| Atmospheric pollutants — CO, NOₓ, SO₂, particulates | |||
| Topic 10 — Using Resources | Red | Amber | Green |
| Earth's finite resources — sustainability | |||
| Potable water — treatment process | |||
| Waste water treatment — stages | |||
| Life cycle assessment (LCA) | |||
| Reduce, reuse, recycle — advantages of each | |||
| Corrosion — rusting conditions and prevention | |||
| Alloys in use — steel, bronze, brass, gold alloys | |||
| ★ Required practical: water purification (distillation) |