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CHEMISTRY
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ADVANCED LEVEL
This syllabus builds on the foundation of the HKCE Chemistry syllabus, a knowledge of which is assumed.
The syllabus has been designed for a two-year chemistry course at advanced level. It will adequately prepare candidates for further
studies in chemistry and related disciplines.
This syllabus is not a teaching syllabus and the order of the topics listed is not intended to suggest a teaching order. Explanatory notes
have been included in the syllabus as appropriate to indicate the scope and depth of treatment. However, the length of the notes on any
particular section should not be regarded as an indication of the time to be spend on that section.
Experiments suggested in the syllabus are more than enough. Some of these experiments are alternative ones which are similar in nature.
Teachers are advised to make discretionary choices as appropriate.
Other activities such as visits, projects, debates, etc. are suggested to stimulate candidates’ interest in chemistry and to promote skills in
reading, data collection, planning, presentation and problem solving.
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AIMS
ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES
1. to recall and understand chemical facts, patterns, principles, methods, terminology and conventions;
2. to understand the use of apparatus and materials in performing and planning experiments;
3. to handle materials, manipulative apparatus, carry out experiments safely and make accurate observations;
4. to analyze and interpret data from various sources, and draw relevant conclusions;
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5. to manipulate and translate chemical data and to perform calculations;
6. to apply chemical knowledge to explain observations and to solve problems which may involve unfamiliar situations;
7. to select and organize scientific information from appropriate sources and to communicate this information in an appropriate and
logical manner;
8. to understand the social, economic, environmental and technological implications of the applications of chemistry; and
9. to make decisions based on the examination of evidence and arguments.
THE EXAMINATION
The examination will consist of two written papers and one practical paper.
The duration of the two written papers is three hours each. The structure of the papers is as follows:
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In Paper 1 Sections A and B, all questions are compulsory; in Section C, a choice of 1 out of 2 questions will be allowed. In Paper 2, a
choice of 3 out of 4 questions is allowed in Section A, and a choice of 2 out of 3 questions is allowed in Section B. Some useful chemical
information, including characteristic infra-red absorption wavenumber ranges, will be provided for both papers 1 and 2.
Candidates should be familiar with experiments illustrating the chemical systems and chemical principles in topics 1-14 of the syllabus and
the use of common laboratory apparatus. Besides, candidates should also be familiar with
(a) techniques and principles involved in quantitative volumetric analysis concerning acid-base reactions, oxidation-reduction
reactions and equilibria studies in aqueous solution,
(b) observations and interpretations using qualitative analysis on a test tube scale.
(1) For school candidates, their practical abilities will be assessed internally by the teachers.
The following areas of ability of the candidates will be assessed:
Ability area A:
(a) to use apparatus and to demonstrate appropriate manipulative skills in carrying out experiments;
(b) to make accurate observations and measurements.
Ability area B:
(a) to record and to present data in an appropriate form;
(b) to interpret experimental results and to draw appropriate conclusions;
(c) to plan experiments.
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Ability area C : the candidate’s attitude towards practical chemistry.
Scheme of Assessment:
The minimum number of experiments performed in the first and second year are 18 and 10 respectively. Over the two years, not
less than 12 assessment marks are required.
In each year, the number of assessment marks for each of these areas is:
at least TWO assessment marks for ability area A,
at least TWO assessment marks for ability area B, and
ONE assessment mark for ability area C.
The regulations, guidelines and methods of assessment can be found in the ‘Handbook on the Teacher Assessment Scheme for
Practical Chemistry (TAS)’ issued by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority to participating schools.
(2) For private candidates, they may opt to sit the practical examination or to use their previous TAS marks to substitute the practical
examination. The practical examination (3 hours) will include
(a) an experiment on quantitative chemistry, and
(b) an experiment involving an observational and deductive exercise.
Candidates are assigned to take the examination in groups, and the questions for each group are not necessarily the same.
Candidates will be provided with the appropriate apparatus, and instructions will be given to candidates indicating what has to be
done and which critical observation must be made.
Candidates will be expected to show their ability to work accurately within the limits of the apparatus and chemical reactions
involved. Candidates will also be expected to perform chemical calculations and/or to draw conclusions from the observations.
(Note : Experiments may be set for which candidates are not expected to have had previous experience. In such cases, full
instructions will be given.)
No textbooks, notes etc. may be used in the examination.
All candidates (i.e. both school and private candidates) may be required to submit their laoratory books for inspection.
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NOTES
1. In general, SI units will be used.
2. In naming compounds, the useful references are “Guidelines for Systematic Chemical Nomenclature (2000)” by the Hong Kong
Examinations Authority, and “Chemical Nomenclature, Symbols and Terminology for Use in School Science” (1985) by the
Association for Science Education (U.K.). The overriding rule for the naming of compounds is clarity and lack of ambiguity rather
than adherence to strict rules.
3. “An English-Chinese Glossary of Terms Commonly Used in the Teaching of Chemistry in Secondary Schools” (1999) prepared by the
Curriculum Development Council, issued by the Education Department is a useful reference for the Chinese terms.
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Explanatory Notes Suggested Experiments/Activities
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Explanatory Notes Suggested Experiments/Activities
1.4 The mole concept The mole and the Avogadro constant.
Molar volume of gases at R.T.P.
(room temperature and pressure) and
S.T.P. (standard temperature and
pressure).
Ideal gas equation, pV=nRT and its Determination of the relative molecular
application to relative molecular mass mass of a volatile liquid.
determination.
(Non-ideal behaviour of real gases
and kinetic theory are not required.)
Partial pressure of gas and its
relationship to mole fraction.
1.5 The Faraday and The Faraday as the quantity of A quantitative study of electrolysis.
the mole electricity of one mole of electrons.
Relationship between the mass
liberated and the quantity of
electricity passed in electrolysis.
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3d 4s
[Ar] ↑↓ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑↓
2.5 The Periodic Table and the The Periodic Table, showing the
atomic properties of the elements s-, p-, d- and f-blocks.
Interpretation of the trends of
ionization enthalpies and atomic
radii of the elements in the
Periodic Table.
3. Energetics
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3.3 Hess'
s law Use of Hess' s law to determine Determination of the enthalpy change of
enthalpy changes which are not formation of CaCO3, MgCO3 or MgO, or
easily obtainable by experiment. the enthalpy change of hydration of
Enthalpy level diagrams. MgSO4.
Calculations involving enthalpy
changes of reactions.
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∆H = +791 kJ mol–1;
lattice enthalpy is the enthalpy
change when one mole of an
ionic compound is formed from
its constituent ions in the
gaseous state, e.g.
Na+(g) + Cl–(g) → NaCl(s)
∆H = –781 kJ mol–1.)
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The shapes of covalent The shapes of simple molecules Display/Build models of simple molecules.
molecules and polyatomic ions and polyatomic ions explained
in terms of the repulsion
between electron pairs (as
illustrated by BF3, CH4, NH3,
H2O, PCl5, SF6, NH4+ and
NH2–). The directional nature
of covalent bonds. Bond
angles.
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Hydrogen bonding A study of the boiling points and Determination of the strength of the
enthalpy changes of hydrogen bond formed between
vaporization of the hydrides of trichloromethane and ethyl ethanoate.
Groups IV, V, VI and VII and
compounds like alcohols and
carboxylic acids leading to the
idea of hydrogen bonding.
Nature of hydrogen bonding.
Relative strength of van der
Waals'forces and hydrogen
bonding.
Hydrogen bonding in ice,
proteins and DNA
(deoxyribo-nucleic acid).
5.2 Factors influencing reaction Effects of concentration, Investigation of the following factors on
rate temperature, pressure, surface the reaction rate:
area, catalyst and light on (a) concentration: HCl/Mg
reaction rate. (b) temperature: HCl/Na2S2O3
(c) particle size: acid/marble chips and
acid/powdered CaCO3
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5.3 Rate equations and order of Simple rate equations Determination of the order of a reaction.
reactions determined from experimental
results.
Zeroth, first and second order
reactions. Rate constants.
Half-life of a first order reaction.
Radioactive decay as a typical
example of a first order reaction.
Carbon-14 dating in the
estimation of the age of an
archaeological specimen.
Calculations involving rate
equations.
(Derivation of integral forms of
rate equations is not required.)
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5.4 The effect of temperature Explanation of the effect of Determination of the activation energy of a
change on reaction rate temperature change on reaction reaction.
rate in terms of activation
energy.
Application of the Arrhenius
equation
E
k = A exp( − a )
RT
to determine the activation
energy of a reaction.
(Derivation of the Arrhenius
equation is not required.)
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5.7 Catalysts and their effect on Catalysts can change the rate of Investigation of the effect of Mn2+ on the
reaction rates a reaction by providing an reaction between MnO4– and C2O42– in
alternative pathway for the acidic medium.
reaction.
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6. Chemical Equilibria
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Simple calculations of Kc and or Fe3+(aq) + NCS–(aq)
Kp. (The quantitative FeNCS2+(aq)
relationship between Kc and Kp
is not required.)
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Strong and weak acids/bases Dissociation constants for weak Comparison of the strength of weak
acids (Ka) and weak bases (Kb). acids/weak bases by pH or by electrical
Use of Ka and Kb (pKa and pKb) conductivity measurement.
values to compare the strength Determination of Ka of a weak acid/Kb of a
of weak acids or weak bases. weak base by pH measurement.
Calculations involving pH, Ka
and Kb.
(For dissociation involving more
than one step, calculations are
limited to one of these steps
only.)
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different oxidation states (e.g.
Fe3+(aq), Fe2+(aq) Pt) and
metal-metal salt
(e.g. PbSO4(s), [Pb(s) +
SO42– (aq)] Pt).
Cell equations.
IUPAC conventions in writing
cell diagrams.
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7. Phase Equilibrium
7.2 Two component systems Studies limited to phase Investigation of the variation of the boiling point
diagrams for mixtures of two with composition for different mixtures of two
miscible liquids: miscible liquids.
(i) vapour pressure against
mole fraction (with
temperature constant),
and
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7.3 Partition of a solute between Partition coefficient of a Determination of the partition coefficient of
two phases non-volatile solute distributed ethanoic acid between water and
between two immiscible liquids. 2-methyl-propan-1-ol.
(Calculations involving
dissociation or association of
solute are not required.)
Application to solvent
extraction.
Paper chromatography as an
application of partition.
Rf value.
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8.2 Periodic relationship among the Bonding and stoichiometric Investigation of the properties of the oxides
oxides, chlorides and simple composition of the and chlorides of the Period 3 elements.
hydrides of the elements Li to hydrides, oxides and
Cl chlorides of these elements,
and their behaviour with
water.
(Hydrides of boron are not
required.)
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(a) Variable oxidation Studies limited to common Investigation of the redox reactions of
states oxidation states of vanadium vanadium or manganese compounds.
(+2, +3, +4, +5) and
manganese (+2, +4, +7).
Interconversions of oxidation
states of each element.
(b) Complex formation Studies limited to complexes of Investigation of the relative stability of some
Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(II) and Cu(II) copper(II) complexes.
with the following ligands:
H2O, NH3, Cl– and CN–.
Nomenclature of these
complexes.
Displacement of ligands and
relative stability of complex
ions. (Experimentation
involving cyanide ions should
not be attempted.)
(Calculations involving stability
constants are not required).
Stereo-structures of 4- and
6-coordinated complexes.
(Optical isomerism of
complexes is not required.)
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(d) Catalytic properties of Exemplified by the use of Fe in Investigation of the catalytic action of
transition metals and Haber process, Fe2+ or Fe3+ in d-block ions on the reaction between
their compounds the reaction between peroxodisulphate(VI) and iodide ions.
peroxodisulphate(VI) and
iodide ions, and MnO2 in the
decomposition of hydrogen
peroxide (linked with Section
5.7).
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−OH , −O− , −CHO , C=O ,
−CO2H, −NH2 , −NHR , −NR2 ,
−CN , −CO2R , −COX ,
−CONH2 and (−CO)2O.
Effects of functional groups and
the length of carbon chains on
physical properties of
compounds in homologous
series.
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Saturated hydrocarbons
The tetrahedral arrangement of Display/Build models of simple alkanes.
the bond electron pairs around a
carbon atom explained in terms
of repulsion between electron
pairs and in terms of sp3
hybridized orbitals.
(Conformation is not required.)
Unsaturated hydrocarbons Formation of the C=C and C≡C Display/Build models of simple alkenes.
bonds explained in terms of sp2
and sp hybridized orbitals
respectively. σ and π bonds.
Shapes associated with sp2 and
sp hybridized carbon atoms.
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12.6 Isomerism
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Use of infra-red (IR) spectrum IR spectrum and its use in the Inspection of IR spectra of organic
in the identification of identification of the following compounds.
functional groups groups: C−H, O−H, N−H, C=C,
C≡C, C=O and C≡N.
(Instrumentation is not
required.)
13. Chemistry of the Organic Compounds
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NOTE: In this section, mechanisms other than those mentioned specifically are not required.
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13.2 Alkenes
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13.3 Aromatic hydrocarbons Benzene and methylbenzene. Investigation of the chemical properties of
Stability of the benzene ring: cyclohexane, cyclohexene and methylbenzene.
comparison of the enthalpy
changes of hydrogenation and
combustion for benzene and
cyclohexene leading to the
concept of increased stability in
a delocalized system.
Resistance of benzene to
oxidation and addition
reactions.
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Reactions of phenol Reactions with sodium and Investigation of the reactions of phenol.
sodium hydroxide.
Esterification.
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Oxidation and reduction Oxidation of aldehydes with Investigation of the reactions of aldehydes
acidified dichromate(VI), and ketones.
Tollens'reagent and Fehling' s
reagent. Resistance of ketones
to oxidation.
Reduction of aldehydes and
ketones with sodium
tetrahydridoborate (sodium
borohydride) and lithium
tetrahydridoaluminate (lithium
aluminium hydride).
Formation of triiodomethane as
a test for compounds containing
a CH3CO− group or a
CH3CH(OH)− group.
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Reactions of carboxylic acids Formation of salts, acyl Investigation of the reactions of carboxylic
chlorides, anhydrides, amides acids.
and esters. Reduction with Preparation of an ester.
lithium tetrahydridoaluminate.
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Reactions of esters Acid and base hydrolyses. Analysis of commercial aspirin tablets.
Reduction with lithium
tetrahydridoaluminate.
Uses of carboxylic acids and Benzoic acid and benzoates as
their derivatives food preservatives.
Polyamides and polyesters as
synthetic fibres
e.g. nylon 6.6 and terylene.
Uses of esters as solvents and
flavourings.
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14. Chemistry and Society