Why choose Chemistry?

Chemistry is a vital science. It is the study of materials based on the properties of atoms and the way that these atoms can be combined. Without Chemistry, there could not have been any new drug development, new dyes, agrochemicals, plastics, computers or spacecraft. We would have a much poorer understanding of the world, from the way that our bodies work, to the effects of human activity on the environment. Chemistry is at the cutting edge of new technology. 

Chemistry addresses a wide range of questions: 

• why do chemical reactions occur? 

• how quickly do they occur? What factors affect their speed? 

• how do electrons affect properties of materials? 

• how can industrial processes be improved to give better yields or to occur faster? 

• how do the properties of materials depend on the elements they contain? 

• why is carbon the basis of life? 

• what is damaging the environment and what can be done? 

How will I learn?

Some of the time in lessons will be spent doing practical work. You will prepare and analyse various substances and learn how to take accurate observations and measurements. You will also have the opportunity to develop your deductive skills and your ability to draw appropriate conclusions from sometimes contradictory evidence. For the rest of the time you will be listening to presentations, working on exercises both in written form and on computer, taking part in discussions and preparing presentations of your own.