GCSE Chemistry from OCR B Switching to AQA

34 Pages·2015·0.3 MB·English

Switching to AQA from OCR Chemistry B
If you're thinking of switching to AQA from OCR GCSE in Chemistry B (Gateway
Science - J264) for teaching from September 2016, this resource will provide a
helpful comparison of the subject content and assessment for each awarding
body. It directly compares the OCR Chemistry B specification, with the new
specification (8462) for 2016 onwards.
Comparison overview
Although both specifications are organised by concept, these concepts have been
grouped into different topics. This means that the content in the AQA
specification can be found in several OCR topics. AQA and OCR also give different
emphasis to specific topics.
There is flexibility to co-teach the AQA Chemistry and Combined Science: Trilogy
(8464) courses.
Assessment
New AQA specification Current OCR specification
Two externally assessed written Three exam papers overall.
papers (1 hour 45 minutes).
Two externally assessed written
Paper 1 assesses sections 1 to 5 papers:
of the subject content.
 One paper of 1 hour 15
Paper 2 assesses sections 6 to 10, minutes. Covering content in
but may also include the modules C1, C2 and C3 (35%
fundamental principles in sections of qualification).
1 to 3.
 One paper of 1 hour 30
Eight required practicals should minutes. Covering content in
be carried out by students and modules C4, C5 and C6.
may be examined in the written Includes 10 mark data
papers to assess practical skills. response question (40% of
qualification).
One controlled assessment exam
paper (25% of qualification).
Content
Practicals
New AQA specification Current OCR specification
The required practicals are clearly Opportunities for practical work are
listed, as are opportunities for flagged in the introduction to each
development of skills identified in module.
the right-hand column of the
specification. These should
encourage more practical work,
which will motivate students and
encourage the transfer of skills
across the subject.
Working scientifically
New AQA specification Current OCR specification
Specification reference: WS 1.1 to Specification reference: Ideas about
WS 4.6 science
'Working scientifically' encompasses N/A
all the activities that scientists do. It
is woven throughout the
specification and written papers.
There are cross-references to
relevant skills development
opportunities in the subject
content.
Atomic structure and the periodic table
4.1.1 A simple model of the atom, symbols, relative atomic mass, electronic
charge and isotopes
New AQA specification Current OCR specification
Specification reference: Specification reference:
4.1.1.1 Atoms, elements and C4: Fundamental Concepts
compounds
Both specifications require recognition and manipulation of chemical
symbols and formulae to describe molecular composition and reactions
using an understanding of atoms and molecules, elements and
compounds.
New AQA specification Current OCR specification
Equations and balancing can be found at Foundation Tier in both
specifications.
The OCR specification refers to recollection of particular compounds'
formulae in an introductory item for each topic entitled 'Fundamental
Chemical Concepts'.
Recognition of symbols of the first N/A
20 elements.
Specification reference: Specification reference:
4.1.1.2 Mixtures Fundamental Concepts: C4
There is no equivalent summary topic in the OCR specification, although all
of the separation techniques are covered throughout the specification.
Definition of a mixture. N/A
Specification reference: 4.1.1.3 Specification reference: C4a
Scientific models of the atom
Both specifications refer to developmental stages in the model of atomic
structure as an example of the development of a scientific theory.
N/A Reference to Dalton and Tomson.
Specification reference: Specification reference:
4.1.1.4 Relative electrical charges of Atomic Structure: C4a (also refers
subatomic particles to masses of subatomic particles).
Specification reference: Specification reference:
4.1.1.5 Size and mass of atoms Fundamental concepts: C4 and C4a
Both specifications give the relative masses of the fundamental particles.
Calculation of the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in a charged
particle is Higher Tier only in the OCR specification, but for students of all
abilities in the AQA specification.
Specification reference: Specification reference: C4a
4.1.1.6 Electronic structure
The content of both specifications is the same.
4.1 2 The periodic table
New AQA specification Current OCR specification
Specification reference: Specification reference:
4.1.2.1 The periodic table  C4a
 C4c
 C4d
The content is similar, although patterns and their explanation are
separated into description of respective groups in the OCR specification.
Prediction of possible reactivity N/A
from the position in the periodic
table.
Specification reference: Specification reference: C4c
4.1.2.2. The development of the
periodic table
Both specifications consider the contribution of Mendeleev and earlier
contributors. OCR specification includes the ideas of Döbereiner and
Newlands.
OCR Higher Tier: confirmation of Mendeleev's structure through discovery
of unknown elements and investigation into atomic structure.
Knowledge of isotopes, explaining N/A
why the order based on atomic
weights is not always correct.
Specification reference: Specification reference:
4.1.2.3 Metals and non-metals  C2c
 C4b to g
There is no equivalent summary topic in the OCR specification, however:
 Explanation of the formation of positive and negative ions by metals
and non-metals is included in the sections on bonding (C4b, C4c).
 Description of locations in the periodic table is referred to in topics
on respective groups (C4d, C4e, C4f).
 Consideration of metallic properties is in the topic on metals and
alloys (C2c, C4g).
OCR doesn’t cover differences in properties.
Specification reference: N/A
4.1.2.4 Group 0
New AQA specification Current OCR specification
Specification reference: Specification reference: C4d
4.1.2.5 Group 1
The content is very similar in both specifications:
 reactions of the alkali metals with water
 trends in reactivity moving down the group.
Comparison of Group 1 metals' Construction of balanced symbol
density with water. equations for reactions with water
(both Foundation and Higher Tier).
Reference to reactions and
associated products of Group 1 Flame tests (identical content is
metals with non-metals. covered in section 4.8.3 of the AQA
specification).
Specification reference: Specification reference: C4e
4.1.2.6 Group 7
The content is very similar. Both specifications include reactions with
metals (alkali metals in the OCR specification) and displacement reactions
leading to the pattern in reactivity down the group.
OCR Higher Tier: recall the formulae of bromides and iodides.
AQA specification requires students of all abilities to know the formulae of
the halide ions.
The ionic or molecular nature of the Recall of some uses of Group 7
products formed with metals and elements.
non-metals.
Colours and physical states of the
halogens at room temperature.
4.1 3 Properties of transition elements
New AQA specification Current OCR specification
Specification reference: Specification reference: C4f
4.1.3.1 Comparison with Group 1
elements
Specification reference: Specification reference: C4f
4.1.3.2 Typical properties
The OCR specification has more detail, it includes identification based on
position in the periodic table and physical properties with specific
New AQA specification Current OCR specification
examples of colour and examples of uses as catalysts.
N/A Description of thermal
decomposition reactions of
transition metal carbonates with
word equations (Foundation Tier).
Higher Tier: balanced symbol
equations.
Bonding, structure and the properties of matter
4.2.1 Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic
New AQA specification Current OCR specification
Specification reference: Specification reference:
4.2.1.1 Chemical bonds  C4b to c
 C4g
There is no equivalent summary-section in the OCR specification.
However, OCR covers all the points in topics for each type of bonding.
Specification reference: Specification reference: C4b
4.2.1.2 Ionic bonding
The content is very similar in both specifications: formation and transfer
of ions to form compounds.
Dot and cross diagrams to represent ionic bonding are required by
students of all abilities in the AQA specification while this is Higher Tier
only in the OCR specification.
AQA specification requires working OCR requires deducting the
out the charge on ions from Groups formula for an ionic compound
1, 2, 6 and 7. from the formula of the positive
and negative ions.
Specification reference: Specification reference: C4b
4.2.1.3 Ionic compounds
Both specifications include a description of giant ionic structures.
Recognition of a giant ionic Knowledge of sodium chloride and
structure from a diagram or model. magnesium oxide structures,
Deduction of the empirical formula comparison of their physical
from the model and a description of properties.
New AQA specification Current OCR specification
its limitations in representing a
Higher Tier: explanation of
giant structure.
differences in these properties
Reference to sodium chloride. (structure, bonding and prediction
of the properties of other
substances with similar structure).
Specification reference: Specification reference:
4.2.1.4 Covalent bonding C4c and C3h
Description of covalent bonding: shared electrons with reference made
to small molecules, polymers and giant covalent structures.
Dot and cross diagrams are Carbon dioxide and water as small
required for 8 specific molecules at covalent molecules; description of
both Higher and Foundation Tiers. their physical properties.
Deduction of molecular formula Higher Tier:
from a given model or diagram and
 explanation of these
a description of the model's
properties in terms of
limitations.
structure and bonding
 dot and cross diagrams.
Specification reference: Specification reference:
4.2.1.5 Metallic bonding C5.4.25
The content is similar, but is Higher Tier only in the OCR specification,
unlike in the AQA specification.
4.2.2 How bonding and structure are related to the properties of substances
New AQA specification Current OCR specification
Specification reference: This topic is not covered in the
OCR specification although an
4.2.2.1 The three states of matter
understanding of most of the
ideas is assumed, eg in C1g,
Smells, and C1h, Paints and
Pigments.
Specification reference: Specification reference: C5h
4.2.2.2 State symbols
New AQA specification Current OCR specification
The content is the same, but in the OCR specification recall of state
symbols is for students of all abilities and writing balanced equations,
including state symbols, is Higher Tier only. Both are for students of all
abilities in the AQA specification.
Specification reference: Specification reference: C4b
4.2.2.3 Properties of ionic
compounds
Description of the structure of ionic compounds is similar in both
specifications.
Knowledge of sodium chloride only. Knowledge of both sodium
chloride and magnesium oxide.
Specification reference: Specification reference:
4.2.2.4 Properties of small C1a, C1e and C4c
molecules
The content of both specifications is almost the same.
The knowledge that intermolecular forces increase with size of
molecules and the effect on boiling point is included in the OCR
specification in the hydrocarbons context.
Specification reference: Specification reference:
4.2.2.5 Polymers C1d, C1e and C4b
The content of both specifications is very similar: awareness of a
polymer's structure and the effect of intermolecular forces on melting
point.
N/A The effect of intermolecular forces
on strength, stiffness and
hardness of a polymer.
Specification reference: Specification reference: C3h
4.2.2.6 Giant covalent structures
Understanding of giant covalent structure is similar in both
specifications.
The OCR topic is covered in the context of allotropes of carbon.
Explanation of structure and bonding properties is required at Higher
Tier only.
Examples of diamond, graphite and Examples of diamond and
silica. graphite only.
New AQA specification Current OCR specification
Specification reference: Specification reference:
4.2.2.7 Properties of metals and C2c and C4g
alloys
The description of metal structures and properties is similar in both
specifications.
A detailed explanation for the Recollection of the main metals in
difference in properties between an amalgam, brass and solder with
alloy and its compositional metals. examples of use.
Limited to recognition of the
differences only.
Higher Tier: detailed description
of metallic bonding and its effect
on properties.
Specification reference: Specification reference: C4g
4.2.2.8 Metals as conductors
Both specifications cover electrical conductivity.
OCR Higher Tier: explanation of electrical conductivity.
Thermal and electrical conductivity. N/A
4.2.3 Structure and bonding of carbon
New AQA specification Current OCR specification
Specification reference: Specification reference: C3h
4.2.3.1 Diamond
The content is almost identical in both specifications.
OCR specification also includes solubility as a property.
Specification reference: Specification reference: C3h
4.2.3.2 Graphite
The content is similar in both specifications.
AQA specification describes the bonding of graphite in detail.
Specification reference: Specification reference: C3h
4.2.3.3 Graphene and fullerenes
New AQA specification Current OCR specification
Detailed explanation of the OCR specification doesn’t refer to
structure of graphene, fullerenes graphene.
and carbon nanotubes.
Detailed structure of fullerenes is
not required, although an
explanation of the structure of
nanotubes is required at Higher
Tier.
4.2.4 Bulk and surface properties of matter including nanoparticles
New AQA specification Current OCR specification
Specification reference: Specification reference: C3h
4.2.4.1 Sizes of particles and their
properties
Both specifications consider the relative size of nanoparticles and the
effect on their properties.
A mathematical consideration of N/A
surface area to volume ratio.
Specification reference: Specification reference: C3h
4.2.4.2 Uses of nanoparticles
The applications of nanoparticles are different in the two specifications.
Quantitative chemistry
4.3.1 Conservation of mass and the quantitative interpretation of chemical
equations
New AQA specification Current OCR specification
Specification reference: Specification reference:
4.3.1.1 Conservation of mass and  C1 to 6 Fundamental
balanced chemical equations Chemical Concepts
 C3d
 C5a
The OCR specification covers balanced chemical equations as a
fundamental concept respective to each section of the specification.
Detailed conservation of mass and how this quantitatively relates to