Revision Notes MCQ Bank SAQ Bank Study Cards Courses Teachers Blog
AQA A Level Chemistry (7405)

Select a specification area to access structured AQA revision notes, practical links and exam practice.

Physical Chemistry

AS + A LevelPapers 1, 2 and 3
An atom with its nucleus and electron shells3.1.1Atomic StructureFundamental particles, mass spectrometry, electron configuration and ionisation energy.Start revisingParticles being weighed on a balance3.1.2Amount of SubstanceMoles, the ideal gas equation, empirical formulae, percentage yield and atom economy.Start revisingAn ionic lattice beside a covalent molecule3.1.3BondingIonic, covalent and metallic bonding, shapes of molecules and forces between molecules.Start revisingAn energy profile for a reaction giving out heat3.1.4EnergeticsEnthalpy changes, calorimetry, Hess's law and bond enthalpies.Start revisingTwo particles colliding, with a stopclock3.1.5KineticsCollision theory, the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution and catalysts.Start revisingA level balance with forward and reverse arrows3.1.6Equilibria, Le Chatelier & KcDynamic equilibrium, Le Chatelier's principle and Kc calculations.Start revisingElectrons moving from one particle to another3.1.7Oxidation, Reduction & RedoxOxidation states, half-equations and balancing redox equations.Start revisingOrdered particles spreading into disorder3.1.8ThermodynamicsBorn-Haber cycles, enthalpies of solution, entropy and free-energy change.Start revisingA concentration graph with a tangent drawn on it3.1.9Rate EquationsOrders, the rate constant, the Arrhenius equation and the rate-determining step.Start revisingA gas mixture in a cylinder with a pressure gauge3.1.10KpPartial pressures, Kp expressions and what changes the constant.Start revisingA metal strip in its ion solution exchanging electrons and ions3.1.11Electrode Potentials & CellsElectrode potentials, the electrochemical series, commercial cells and fuel cells.Start revisingA coloured acid to alkali scale and a flask3.1.12Acids and BasesBrønsted-Lowry acids, pH, Kw, Ka, pH curves, indicators and buffers.Start revising

Inorganic Chemistry

AS + A LevelPapers 1 and 3
The outline of the periodic table3.2.1PeriodicityThe blocks of the Periodic Table and the trends across Period 3.Start revisingA metal ribbon burning in tongs3.2.2Group 2Trends down the group, reactions with water and the solubility of hydroxides and sulfates.Start revisingThree jars of halogens: gas, liquid and solid3.2.3Group 7 HalogensTrends in the halogens, halide ions as reducing agents, and chlorine with water.Start revisingAtoms shrinking across a period3.2.4Period 3 Elements & OxidesPeriod 3 elements with water and oxygen, and their oxides with water, acids and bases.Start revisingAn octahedral complex with coloured solutions3.2.5Transition MetalsComplex ions, shapes, colour, changing ligands, variable oxidation states and catalysts.Start revisingTest tubes of coloured precipitates3.2.6Ions in Aqueous SolutionMetal aqua ions, their acidity and their reactions with hydroxide, ammonia and carbonate.Start revising

Organic Chemistry

AS + A LevelPapers 2 and 3
A carbon chain with a functional group3.3.1Introduction to Organic ChemistryNaming, formulae, isomerism and how mechanisms are drawn.Start revisingA tetrahedral alkane molecule and a gas flame3.3.2AlkanesFractional distillation, cracking, combustion and free radical substitution.Start revisingA nucleophile approaching a halogenoalkane3.3.3HalogenoalkanesNucleophilic substitution, elimination and ozone depletion by CFCs.Start revisingA carbon to carbon double bond3.3.4AlkenesThe double bond, electrophilic addition and addition polymers.Start revisingAn alcohol molecule with its OH group picked out3.3.5AlcoholsFermentation, hydration of alkenes, and the oxidation and elimination of alcohols.Start revisingA spectrum on a monitor3.3.6Organic AnalysisTest-tube reactions, mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy.Start revisingTwo mirror-image molecules3.3.7Optical IsomerismChiral centres, enantiomers and why a racemate is optically inactive.Start revisingA carbonyl molecule and a silver mirror test3.3.8Aldehydes and KetonesOxidation, reduction, tests and nucleophilic addition.Start revisingTwo carboxylic acid molecules paired by hydrogen bonds3.3.9Carboxylic Acids & DerivativesCarboxylic acids, esters, fats, soap, biodiesel and acylation.Start revisingA benzene ring with delocalised electrons3.3.10Aromatic ChemistryThe bonding in benzene, nitration and Friedel-Crafts acylation.Start revisingAn amine molecule with its lone pair3.3.11AminesPreparing amines, their strength as bases and their reactions as nucleophiles.Start revisingMonomers joining into a polymer chain3.3.12PolymersPolyesters and polyamides, and how polymers are disposed of.Start revisingA protein chain folding into a helix3.3.13Amino Acids, Proteins & DNAAmino acids, proteins, enzymes and DNA, with the action of cisplatin.Start revisingA multi-step synthesis route3.3.14Organic SynthesisPlanning routes from one organic compound to another.Start revisingA magnet with a sample tube and NMR peaks3.3.15NMR SpectroscopyCarbon-13 and proton NMR, chemical shift and spin-spin splitting.Start revisingA gas chromatograph oven with a coiled column and peaks3.3.16ChromatographyThin-layer, column and gas chromatography, and Rf values.Start revising

Required Practical Activities

RP 1-12Assessed in the written papers
All practicals
A burette over a conical flaskRP 1Volumetric Solution and TitrationMake up a volumetric solution and use it in an accurate titration.Start revisingA polystyrene cup calorimeter with a thermometerRP 2Measurement of Enthalpy ChangeMeasure an enthalpy change from the temperature change of a reaction.Start revisingA conical flask of cloudy liquid over a fading dark crossRP 3Rate and TemperatureFollow how the rate of a reaction changes with temperature.Start revisingA flame test and a test tube precipitateRP 4Inorganic Ion TestsTest-tube reactions for Group 2 cations, ammonium and common anions.Start revisingA flask heated under refluxRP 5Distillation of a ProductOxidise ethanol and distil the product from the reaction.Start revisingBromine water turning colourless in a test tubeRP 6Organic Functional Group TestsTest-tube reactions for alcohols, aldehydes, alkenes and carboxylic acids.Start revisingA reaction flask with a gas syringe and stopclockRP 7Rate by Initial and Continuous MethodsMeasure rates by an initial rate method and by continuous monitoring.Start revisingAn electrochemical cell with a voltmeterRP 8EMF of an Electrochemical CellSet up electrochemical cells and measure their EMF.Start revisingA pH probe in a stirred beakerRP 9pH CurvesFollow a titration with a pH meter and plot the pH curve.Start revisingCrystals filtered in a Buchner funnelRP 10Pure Organic Solid and LiquidPrepare a pure organic solid and test its purity.Start revisingA white spotting tile with drops of coloured solutionsRP 11Transition Metal Ion TestsTest-tube reactions that identify transition metal ions in aqueous solution.Start revisingA thin-layer chromatography plate in a beakerRP 12Thin-Layer ChromatographySeparate species by thin-layer chromatography and measure Rf values.Start revisingA reaction timed in a hot water bathActivation energyFinding the Activation EnergyTime a reaction at several temperatures and plot the Arrhenius graph.Start revisingA redox titration with a purple solution in the buretteRedox titrationsRedox TitrationsManganate(VII) and iodine-thiosulfate titrations to find unknown amounts.Start revisingDeep blue crystals on a watch glass beside a flask in iceComplex prepPreparing a ComplexPrepare a coloured complex and isolate the crystals.Start revising
Introduction

AQA
A Level
Chemistry

AQA A Level Chemistry is a linear qualification assessed at the end of the two-year course. The specification is organised into Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, with the first-year content also forming the AS subject content.

A Linear Qualification

AQA A Level Chemistry is assessed through three written papers taken at the end of the course. It is structured around specification code 7405 and uses the A*-E A Level grading scale.

Practical Endorsement

Students complete the required practical activities and develop practical competencies throughout the course. Practical understanding is assessed in the written papers, while the practical endorsement is reported separately.

AS Level Chemistry

AQA AS Chemistry is a separate standalone qualification. The AS content is drawn from the first-year A Level content across Physical, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry.

The Three Papers – How The A Level Is Assessed

The AQA A Level is assessed through three externally examined papers. Papers 1 and 2 divide the content by chemistry discipline, while Paper 3 draws across the full course and places a strong emphasis on practical skills, data interpretation and synoptic reasoning.

Paper 1 – Physical Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry

Paper code: 7405/1
Written examination: 2 hours | 105 marks | 35% of total A Level

Assesses relevant Physical Chemistry topics, Inorganic Chemistry and relevant practical skills. This includes atomic structure, amount of substance, bonding, energetics, equilibria, thermodynamics, acids and bases, periodicity, Group 2, Group 7, Period 3 and transition metals.

Paper 2 – Physical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry

Paper code: 7405/2
Written examination: 2 hours | 105 marks | 35% of total A Level

Assesses relevant Physical Chemistry topics, Organic Chemistry and relevant practical skills. This includes amount of substance, bonding, energetics, kinetics, equilibria, rate equations and the full organic chemistry sequence.

Paper 3 – Practical Skills, Data and Synoptic Chemistry

Paper code: 7405/3
Written examination: 2 hours | 90 marks | 30% of total A Level

Assesses any content from the specification and any practical skills. This paper includes practical technique, data handling, analysis, evaluation and synoptic problem solving across Physical, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry.

AQA Specification Pathway

AQA Chemistry is organised by discipline rather than Edexcel-style numbered topics.

3.1 Physical ChemistryAtomic structure, amount of substance, bonding, energetics, kinetics, equilibria, redox and further A Level physical chemistry.
3.2 Inorganic ChemistryPeriodicity, Group 2, Group 7, Period 3, transition metals and reactions of aqueous ions.
3.3 Organic ChemistryOrganic analysis, alkanes, halogenoalkanes, alkenes, alcohols, carbonyls, polymers, synthesis and spectroscopy.
Full Qualification

Take the A Level if…

AQA A Level – 7405

You need chemistry for university entry, particularly for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, biochemistry, chemical engineering or related science degrees. The full A Level is the standard two-year qualification used for UK university admissions.

Standalone Award

Take the AS Level if…

AQA AS Level – 7404

You want a recognised one-year chemistry qualification without committing to the full A Level. The AS is a standalone qualification and does not contribute to the final A Level grade.

Watch a Chemistry Lesson Preview

See how OLS uses visual explanation, molecular models and specialist teacher commentary to support difficult A Level Chemistry topics.

Official Specification

The official AQA Chemistry specification covering subject content, assessment structure, mathematical requirements, practical skills and required practical activities.

AQA Chemistry Specification →

AQA Exam Materials

AQA’s official exam materials for A Level Chemistry, including exam papers, mark schemes and examiner reports.

AQA Exam Materials →

Chemistry Reference Library

LibreTexts Chemistry is a free, open-access chemistry library covering a wide range of topics at A Level and beyond, useful for deeper reading and alternative explanations of difficult concepts.

LibreTexts Chemistry →

FAQ

The specification is organised into three main content areas: Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. OLS uses these AQA specification references directly so students can revise by exact spec point.
There are three written papers: Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3. Papers 1 and 2 are each worth 35% of the A Level, while Paper 3 is worth 30%.
No. AQA uses specification references such as 3.1.1 Atomic structure, 3.1.3 Bonding and 3.3.4 Alkenes.
Yes. Practical skills and data-handling are assessed across the written papers, especially Paper 3. Students also complete required practical activities during the course.
No. AQA AS Chemistry is a standalone qualification. It covers the first-year content but does not contribute to the final A Level grade.
AQA Chemistry includes substantial mathematical work, including moles, concentrations, energetics, equilibria, rates, logarithms, graph work and practical-data analysis. Students should be confident rearranging equations and interpreting quantitative data.