Mathematical requirements and exemplifications
In order to be able to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding in chemistry, students need to have been taught, and to have acquired competence in, the appropriate areas of mathematics as indicated in the table of coverage below.
Overall, at least 20% of the marks in assessments for chemistry will require the use of mathematical skills. These skills will be applied in the context of chemistry and will be at least the standard of higher tier GCSE mathematics.
The following tables illustrate where these mathematical skills may be developed during teaching or could be assessed. Those shown in bold type would only be tested in the full A-level course.
This list of examples is not exhaustive. These skills could be developed or assessed in other areas of specification content. Other areas where these skills could be developed have been exemplified throughout the specifications.
Arithmetic and numerical computation
Mathematical skills |
Exemplification of mathematical skill in the context of Chemistry |
|
---|---|---|
MS 0.0 |
Recognise and make use of appropriate units in calculation |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
MS 0.1 |
Recognise and use expressions in decimal and ordinary form |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
MS 0.2 |
Use ratios, fractions and percentages |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
MS 0.3 |
Estimate results |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
MS 0.4 |
Use calculators to find and use power, exponential and logarithmic functions |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
Handling data
Mathematical skills |
Exemplification of mathematical skill in the context of Chemistry |
|
---|---|---|
MS 1.1 |
Use an appropriate number of significant figures |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
MS 1.2 |
Find arithmetic means |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
MS 1.3 |
Identify uncertainties in measurements and use simple techniques to determine uncertainty when data are combined |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
Algebra
Mathematical skills |
Exemplification of mathematical skill in the context of Chemistry |
|
---|---|---|
MS 2.1 |
Understand and use the symbols: =, <, <<, >>, >, , ~, equilibrium sign |
No exemplification required. |
MS 2.2 |
Change the subject of an equation |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
MS 2.3 |
Substitute numerical values into algebraic equations using appropriate units for physical quantities |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
MS 2.4 |
Solve algebraic equations |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
MS 2.5 |
Use logarithms in relation to quantities that range over several orders of magnitude |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
Graphs
Mathematical skills |
Exemplification of mathematical skill in the context of Chemistry |
|
---|---|---|
MS 3.1 |
Translate information between graphical, numerical and algebraic forms |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
MS 3.2 |
Plot two variables from experimental or other data |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
MS 3.3 |
Determine the slope and intercept of a linear graph |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
MS 3.4 |
Calculate rate of change from a graph showing a linear relationship |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
MS 3.5 |
Draw and use the slope of a tangent to a curve as a measure of rate of change |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
Geometry and trigonometry
Mathematical skills |
Exemplification of mathematical skill in the context of Chemistry |
|
---|---|---|
MS 4.1 |
Use angles and shapes in regular 2D and 3D structures |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
MS 4.2 |
Visualise and represent 2D and 3D forms including two-dimensional representations of 3D objects |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|
MS 4.3 |
Understand the symmetry of 2D and 3D shapes |
Students may be tested on their ability to:
|