WAEC Chemistry Topics for 2012
Chemistry is a field of science that study matter, its interaction with other matter and with energy. Chemistry is related to physics and biology. WAEC chemistry is part of WAEC subject exams that test students understanding in chemistry as they end their secondary school studies.
The main aim WAEC wishes to achieve is to make sure that WAEC chemistry students can apply chemistry in their vocational studies and may continue to study chemistry at tertiary institutions.
The following topics have been layout in WAEC chemistry syllabus for student preparing for their WAEC chemistry exam. If you read and understand every aspect of the topics, you will be in a better position to pass your chemistry exam with good grades.
[Read More: Download Chemistry Syllabus and Past Questions here]
There are many topics within chemistry to focus on. The list is shown below.
Structure of the Atom
The structure of atom covers different sub-topics within the study of atoms like Dalton’s atomic theory, description of Rutherford’s alpha particle scattering experiment to establish the structure of the atom, atomic mass as the weighted average mass of isotopes and many more topics.
Periodic Chemistry
Periodic table is a tabular classification of the periodicity of elements beside periodic chemistry goes more in depth to cover other topics like atomic size, ionic size, ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity, metallic to non-metallic character of elements, ionic to covalent bonding in compounds and many more.
Bonding
Chemical boding is the attraction between two or more atoms that results in a chemical reaction and the formation a new chemical substance that composed of two or more atoms.
You should understand the importance of chemical bonding by reading topics like Lewis dot structure for ionic and covalent compounds, ionization energy, electron affinity; electronegativity difference. Typical properties of ionic compounds using binary compounds like melting points, boiling point and solubility in various solvents.
Stoichiometry and Chemical Reactions
Stoichiometry is deal with the study of quantities in reactants and products in chemical reactions while on the other hand chemical reaction is the formation a new chemical substance from another.
WACE syllabus covers many areas that deals with stoichiometry and chemical reactions but not limited to these few as seen here; precipitation, evolution of gases, displacement of metal ions, analysis of chlorides and formation and reduction of metallic oxides
States of Matter
The most common states of matter are solid, liquid and gaseous state. This is the different phases a matter can pass through. The study of the state of matter in WAEC chemistry covers topics like Brownian motion, diffusion, Charles’, Boyle’s, Dalton’s, Graham’s, Avogadro’s laws and the ideal gas equation.
Energy and Energy Changes
All chemical bonds are broken and form. Energy is required to break and form a chemical bond. The following topics are covered in WAEC Chemistry on change in energy like enthalpy, energy diagrams, forms of energy, energy content, transfer of energy, exothermic and endothermic processes, practical knowledge of the measurement of the heats of neutralization and many more.
Acids, Bases and Salts
Acid and base is one the popular topic in chemistry. Acid reacts with base to form salt and water. Salt is an ionic compound made from the neutralization reaction between an acid and a base. You should read and understand the following sub-topics; Arrhenius concept of acids and bases, effects of acids and bases on indicators, metals and trioxocarbonate (IV) salts, pH as a measure of acidity and alkalinity and many more.
Solubility of Substance
Solubility of a substance is another to form a homogeneous solution can depend on some factors. The solute is the substance that dissolves in another substance called a solvent. You should read these topics to get a clearer view and understanding about solubility. The lists are saturated and unsaturated solutions, Solubility curves and their uses, crystallization as a method of purification and more.
Rate of Reactions and Equilibrium Systems
Rate of a chemical reaction is the speed at which reactants are converted into products. Chemical reactions can be considered to have a fast or slow rate of reaction. The topics to cover include collision theory and activation energy theory, equilibrium, reversible reactions and more.
Other important topic in WAEC chemistry to have on your finger tips are listed below. Make sure you read them thoroughly and grasp every aspect of it.
Redox Reactions
Chemistry of Carbon Compounds
Non Metals and their Compounds
Metals and their Compounds
Chemistry, Industry and the Environment
Practical Skills
- Quantitative Analysis
- Qualitative Analysis
Apart from the chemistry topics to concentrate on, there are many recommended books you can read to help you understand the subject topics. I have made a short list of recommended chemistry textbooks.
If you do not have money to own a copy, you can always search for it in your school or local library.
Osei Yaw Ababio – Chemistry Textbook
Longman Publisher – Practical Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools
Longman Publisher – Senior Secondary Chemistry Textbooks
Feel free to drop a question and we will provide you with the best answer.
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