Singapore JC Subject List - Chemistry (H1)

This course aims to provide students with a foundation in chemistry, emphasizing the understanding and application of scientific concepts and principles. It covers core chemical ideas, an extension topic on materials, and integrates practices of science throughout. The syllabus is structured around three core ideas:

Core Idea 1: Matter

1. Atomic Structure

• The structure of the atom, including protons, neutrons, and electrons, their relative charges and masses, and the distribution of mass and charge within the atom.
• Isotopes and their distinction based on neutron numbers.
• Electronic energy levels, ionization energies, atomic orbitals, and extranuclear structure. Students will learn about s, p, and d orbitals and their shapes, as well as how to determine electronic configurations of atoms and ions. Factors influencing ionization energies and their interpretation within the periodic table are also covered.

Core Idea 2: Structure and Properties

2. Chemical Bonding

• Ionic, covalent, metallic, and coordinate (dative covalent) bonding, including their representation using dot-and-cross diagrams.
• Molecular shapes and bond angles using the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory.
• Bond polarity and its influence on molecular polarity.
• Intermolecular forces, including hydrogen bonding, and their importance in determining physical properties.
• Bond energies and bond lengths.
• Lattice structures of ionic, simple molecular, giant molecular, hydrogen-bonded, and metallic solids.
• The relationship between structure, bonding, and physical properties of substances.

3. Theories of Acids and Bases

• Arrhenius and Brønsted-Lowry theories of acids and bases, including conjugate acids and bases.
• Strong and weak acids and bases.
• pH, Ka, Kb, and Kw.
• Calculations of [H+(aq)] and pH for strong acids and bases.
• Indicators and buffer solutions, including their applications.

4. The Periodic Table

• Periodicity of atomic and physical properties (electronic configuration, atomic/ionic radius, ionization energy, electronegativity, melting point, electrical conductivity) across Period 3 and down Group 17.
• Periodicity of chemical properties, including oxidation numbers, bonding of oxides and chlorides, reactions with water, and acid-base behavior.
• Trends in reactivity in Groups 1 and 17.
• Predicting properties and deducing the nature of unknown elements based on periodic trends.

Core Idea 3: Transformation

5. The Mole Concept and Stoichiometry

• Relative atomic, isotopic, molecular, and formula mass.
• Mole and Avogadro constant.
• Empirical and molecular formula calculations.
• Stoichiometric calculations involving reacting masses, volumes of gases and solutions.
• Redox processes, electron transfer, and oxidation number changes.

6. Chemical Energetics: Thermochemistry

• Enthalpy changes (ΔH) of formation, combustion, neutralization, bond energy, and lattice energy.
• Energy profile diagrams and activation energy.
• Calculations of enthalpy changes using experimental data and Hess's Law.

7. Reaction Kinetics

• Rate of reaction, rate equation, order of reaction, rate constant, half-life, activation energy, and catalysis.
• Constructing and using rate equations.
• Factors affecting reaction rate (concentration, temperature, catalysts).
• Heterogeneous catalysts and enzymes.

8. Chemical Equilibria

• Dynamic equilibrium and Le Chatelier's Principle.
• Equilibrium constants (Kc) and calculations of equilibrium quantities.
• The Haber process.

Extension Topic: Materials

9.1 Nanomaterials

• Definition of nanomaterials and nanoparticles.
• Surface area to volume ratio and its effects on catalysis and interactions.
• Structure and properties of graphene.
• Potential effects of nanoparticles on human health and the environment.

9.2 Polymers

• Empirical, molecular, and structural formulae of polymers.
• Classification of polymers (addition, condensation, thermoplastic, thermosetting).
• Structure, bonding, properties, and uses of polymers.
• Recycling of plastics.

Assessment

The H1 Chemistry course is assessed through two papers:

• Paper 1 (33% weighting): 1-hour multiple-choice paper consisting of 30 compulsory questions.
• Paper 2 (67% weighting): 2-hour structured question paper, divided into Section A (60 marks) with compulsory structured and data-based questions, and Section B (20 marks) requiring students to answer one of two essay-type questions.