Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry (4CH1)

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry Syllabus Portal

NoteCourse Portal: Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry (4CH1)

Welcome, students! This specialized section contains syllabus breakdowns, core study notes, targeted practice question banks, and actual exam past papers organized dynamically to optimize your learning and help you achieve a Grade 9 (A*).

1. Course Introduction

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in Chemistry (Syllabus Code: 4CH1) is designed to provide students with a detailed understanding of the fundamental principles of chemistry. Through theoretical study and practical investigations, candidates learn how substances are structured, how they react with one another, and how chemical processes are applied in industrial production and everyday life. This linear qualification prepares students for further academic steps, including Edexcel A-Level Chemistry or IB DP Chemistry.

Assessment Outline

The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) in Chemistry (4CH1) is assessed through two externally examined papers. Both papers are taken at the end of the course. Calculators are permitted in both exams.

Assessment Paper Target Curriculum Format & Duration Marks Weighting
Paper 1C (4CH1/1C) Core Syllabus Content Written exam featuring multiple-choice, short-answer, calculations, and structured questions — 2 hours 110 marks 61.1%
Paper 2C (4CH1/2C) All Syllabus Content (Core and Bold/C material) Written exam featuring multiple-choice, short-answer, calculations, and open-response questions — 1 hour 15 minutes 70 marks 38.9%

Syllabus Structure

The Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry syllabus is divided into 4 main topic areas, encompassing core concepts, laboratory investigations, and industrial processes:

1a: States of matter
1b: Elements, compounds and mixtures
1c: Atomic structure
1d: The Periodic Table
1e: Chemical formulae, equations and calculations (Stoichiometry)
1f: Ionic bonding
1g: Covalent bonding
1h: Metallic bonding
1i: Electrolysis

2a: Group 1 (alkali metals) — lithium, sodium and potassium
2b: Group 7 (halogens) — chlorine, bromine and iodine
2c: Gases in the atmosphere
2d: Reactivity series
2e: Extraction and uses of metals
2f: Acids, alkalis and titrations
2g: Acids, bases and salt preparations
2h: Chemical tests for ions and gases

3a: Energetics (temperature changes, bond energies)
3b: Rates of reaction (collision theory, catalysts)
3c: Reversible reactions and equilibria (dynamic equilibrium, Le Chatelier’s principle)

4a: Introduction to organic chemistry (naming, functional groups)
4b: Crude oil (fractional distillation, cracking)
4c: Alkanes (substitution reactions)
4d: Alkenes (addition reactions)
4e: Alcohols (fermentation, oxidation)
4f: Carboxylic acids (reactions with metals and carbonates)
4g: Esters (esterification, ethyl ethanoate)
4h: Synthetic polymers (addition and condensation polymers)

Official Academic Resources

Download the official Edexcel syllabus and course materials below:

Official Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry Specification (4CH1)

2. Study Lessons

Access curated study lessons, revision notes, mind maps, and practice worksheets for each topic:

2.1 Save My Exams Notes

Subtopic Notes Practice
1.1. States of matter Notes Practice
1.2. Elements, compounds and mixtrues Notes Practice
1.3. Atomic structure Notes Practice
1.4. The Periodic Table Notes Practice
1.5. Chemical formulae, equations and calculations Notes Practice
1.6. Ionic bonding Notes Practice
1.7. Covalent bonding Notes Practice
1.8. Metallic bonding Notes Practice
1.9. Electrolysis Notes Practice
Subtopic Notes Practice
2.1. Reactivity series Notes Practice
2.2. Extraction and use of metal Notes Practice
2.3. Acids, alkalis and titration Notes Practice
2.4. Acids, bases and salt preparation Notes Practice
2.5. Group 1 alkali metals Notes Practice
2.6. Group 7 halogens Notes Practice
2.8. Gases in the atmosphere Notes Practice
2.9. Chemical tests Notes Practice
Subtopic Notes Practice
3.1. Energetics Notes Practice
3.2. Rates of reaction Notes Practice
3.3. Reversible reactions and equilibria Notes Practice
Subtopic Notes Practice
4.1. Introducing organic chemistry Notes Practice
4.2. Crude oil Notes Practice
4.3. Alkanes Notes Practice
4.4. Alkenes Notes Practice
4.5. Alcohols Notes Practice
4.6. Carboxylic acids Notes Practice
4.7. Esters Notes Practice
4.8. Synthetic polymers Notes Practice

2.2 Study Notes from AQA

Comprehensive topic-by-topic revision notes, mind maps, definitions, and practical skills handbooks mapped from AQA Chemistry GCSE:

Topic Notes Mind Maps
Topic 1 – Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table Definitions Flashcards
1.1. A simple model of the atom, symbols, relative atomic mass, electronic charge and isotopes Notes Mind Map
1.2. The periodic table Notes Mind Map
1.3. Properties of transition metals (chemistry only) Notes Mind Map
Topic 2 – Bonding, Structure, and The Properties of Matter Definitions Flashcards
2.1. Chemical bonds and types of bonding Notes Mind Map
2.2. How bonding and structure are related to the properties of substances Notes Mind Map
2.3. Structure and bonding of carbon Notes Mind Map
2.4. Bulk and surface properties of matter including nanoparticles (chemistry only) Notes Mind Map
Topic 3 – Quantitative Chemistry Definitions Flashcards
3.1. Chemical measurements Notes Mind Map
3.2. Use of amount of substance in relation to masses of pure substances Notes Mind Map
3.3. Yield and atom economy of chemical reactions (chemistry only) Notes Mind Map
3.4. Using concentrations of solutions in mol dm3 (chemistry only) Notes Mind Map
3.5. Use of amount of substance in relation to volumes of gases (chemistry only) Notes Mind Map
Topic 4 – Chemical Changes Definitions Flashcards
4.1. Reactivity of metals Notes Mind Map
4.2. Reactions of acids Notes Mind Map
4.3. Electrolysis Notes Mind Map
Topic 5 – Energy Changes Definitions Flashcards
5.1. Exothermic and endothermic reactions Notes Mind Map
5.2. Chemical cells and fuel cells (chemistry only) Notes Mind Map
Topic 6 – The Rate and Extent of Chemical Change Definitions Flashcards
6.1. Rate of reaction Notes Mind Map
6.2. Reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium Notes Mind Map
Topic 7 – Organic Chemistry Definitions Flashcards
7.1. Carbon compounds as fuels and feedstock Notes Mind Map
7.2. Reactions of alkenes and alcohols (chemistry only) Notes Mind Map
7.3. Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers (chemistry only) Notes Mind Map
Topic 8 – Chemical Analysis Definitions Flashcards
8.1. Purity, formulations and chromatography Notes Mind Map
8.2. Identification of common gases Notes Mind Map
8.3. Identification of ions by chemical and spectroscopic means (chemistry only) Notes Mind Map
Topic 9 – Chemistry of the Atmosphere Definitions Flashcards
9.1. The composition and evolution of the Earth's atmosphere Notes Mind Map
9.2. Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases Notes Mind Map
9.3. Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources Notes Mind Map
Topic 10 – Using Resources Definitions Flashcards
10.1. Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water Notes Mind Map
10.2. Life cycle assessment and recycling Notes Mind Map
10.3. Using materials (chemistry only) Notes Mind Map
10.4. The Haber process and the use of NPK fertilisers (chemistry only) Notes Mind Map
Practical Skills (Required Practicals RP1 - RP8) Handbook N/A
RP 1. Making Salts Notes Flashcards
RP 2. Neutralisation (HT) Notes Flashcards
RP 3. Electrolysis Notes Flashcards
RP 4. Temperature Changes Notes Flashcards
RP 5. Rate of Reaction Notes Flashcards
RP 6. Chromatography Notes Flashcards
RP 7. Identifying Ions Notes Flashcards
RP 8. Water Purification Notes Flashcards

2.3 Study Notes from OCR

Comprehensive topic-by-topic revision notes, definitions, flashcards, and practical activity group (PAG) handbooks mapped from OCR Gateway Chemistry GCSE:

Topic Notes Mind Maps / Flashcards
Topic 1 – Particles Definitions Flashcards
1.1. The particle model Notes N/A
1.2. Atomic structure Notes N/A
Topic 2 – Elements, Compounds and Mixtures Definitions Flashcards
2.1. Purity and separating mixtures Notes N/A
2.2. Bonding Notes N/A
2.3. Properties of materials Notes N/A
Topic 3 – Chemical Reactions Definitions Flashcards
3.1. Introducing chemical reactions Notes N/A
3.2. Energetics Notes N/A
3.3. Types of chemical reactions Notes N/A
3.4. Electrolysis Notes N/A
Topic 4 – Predicting and Identifying Reactions and Products Definitions Flashcards
4.1. Predicting chemical reactions Notes N/A
4.2. Identifying the products of chemical reactions Notes N/A
Topic 5 – Monitoring and Controlling Chemical Reactions Definitions Flashcards
5.1. Monitoring chemical reactions Notes N/A
5.2. Controlling reactions Notes N/A
5.3. Equilibria Notes N/A
Topic 6 – Global Challenges Definitions Flashcards
6.1. Improving processes and products Notes N/A
6.2. Organic chemistry Notes N/A
6.3. Interpreting and interacting with earth systems Notes N/A
Practical Skills (PAG 1 - PAG 8) N/A N/A
PAG 1. Reactivity Trends Notes Flashcards
PAG 2. Electrolysis Notes Flashcards
PAG 3. Separation Techniques Notes Flashcards
PAG 4. Distillation Notes Flashcards
PAG 5. Identification of Species Notes Flashcards
PAG 6. Titration Notes Flashcards
PAG 7. Production of Salts Notes Flashcards
PAG 8. Measuring Rates of Reaction Notes Flashcards

3. Practice Questions

3.1 Practice Questions Edexcel

Access topic-by-topic Physics & Maths Tutor notes, definitions, flashcards, and exam practice question papers:

Subtopic Notes Paper 1 Paper 2
Definitions Definitions N/A N/A
1a. States of matter Notes
1b. Elements compounds and mixtures Notes
1c. Atomic structure Notes
1d. The Periodic Table Notes
1e. Chemical formulae equations and calculations Notes
1f. Ionic bonding Notes
1g. Covalent bonding Notes
1h. Metallic bonding Notes N/A N/A
1i. Electrolysis Notes
Flashcards Flashcards N/A N/A
Subtopic Notes Paper 1 Paper 2
Definitions Definitions N/A N/A
2a. Group 1 (alkali metals)) lithium sodium and potassium Notes
2b. Group 7 (halogens)) chlorine bromine and iodine Notes
2c. Gases in the atmosphere Notes
2d. Reactivity series Notes
2e. Extraction and uses of metals Notes
2f. Acids alkalis and titrations Notes
2g. Acids bases and salt preparations Notes
2h. Chemical tests Notes
Flashcards Flashcards N/A N/A
Subtopic Notes Paper 1 Paper 2
Definitions Definitions N/A N/A
3a. Energetics Notes
3b. Rates of reaction Notes
3c. Reversible reactions and equilibria Notes
Flashcards Flashcards N/A N/A
Subtopic Notes Paper 1 Paper 2
Definitions Definitions N/A N/A
4a. Introduction Notes N/A N/A
4b. Crude oil Notes
4c. Alkanes Notes
4d. Alkenes Notes
4e. Alcohols Notes
4f. Carboxylic acids Notes
4g. Esters Notes N/A N/A
4h. Synthetic polymers Notes
Flashcards Flashcards N/A N/A

3.2 Practice Questions AQA

Topic-by-topic Multiple Choice, Structured, and Practical exam practice question papers and mark schemes mapped from AQA Chemistry GCSE:

Topic QP MS
Topic 1 – Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
1.1. A Simple Atomic Model
1.2. Periodic Table
1.2. The Periodic Table
1.3. Properties of Transition Metals
Topic 2 – Bonding, Structure, and The Properties of Matter
2.1. Chemical Bonds - Ionic, Covalent and Metallic
2.1. Ionic, Covalent & Metallic Bonds
2.2. Bonding & Structure
2.2. Bonding and Structure
2.3. Structure & Bonding Carbon
2.3. Structure and Bonding of Carbon
2.4. Bulk & Surface Properties of Matter
2.4. Bulk and Surface Properties of Matter
Topic 3 – Quantitative Chemistry
3.1. Chemical Measurements
3.1. Cons. of Mass, Chemical Measurements & Eqns
3.2. Amount of Substance
3.2. Use of Amount of Substance on Pure Substances
3.3. Yield & Atom Economy
QP
MS
3.3. Yield and Atom Economy of Chemical Reactions
3.4. Using Conc. of Solutions in mol(dm)-
3.4. Using Concentrations of Solutions in Mol Dm3
3.5. Use of Amount of Substance on Volumes of Gases
Topic 4 – Chemical Changes
4.1. Reactivity of Metals
4.2. Reactions of Acids
4.3. Electrolysis
Topic 5 – Energy Changes
5.1. Exothermic & Endothermic Reactions
5.2. Chemical Cells and Fuel Cells
Topic QP MS
Topic 6 – The Rate and Extent of Chemical Change
6.1. Rate of Reaction
6.2. Reversible Reactions & Dynamic Equilibrium
Topic 7 – Organic Chemistry
7.1. Carbon Compounds as Fuels & Feedstock
7.2. Reactions of Alkenes and Alcohols
7.3. Synthetic & Naturally Occurring Polymers
Topic 8 – Chemical Analysis
8.1. Purity, Formulations & Chromatography
8.2. Identification of Common Gases
8.3. Identification of Ions by Chemical & Spectroscopic Means
Topic 9 – Chemistry of the Atmosphere
9.1. Composition & Evolution of the Earth’s Atmosphere
9.2. Carbon Dioxide & Methane as Greenhouse Gases
9.3. Common Atmospheric Pollutants and their Sources
Topic 10 – Using Resources
10.1. Earth’s Resources & Potable Water
10.1. Using the Earth's Resources and Potable Water
10.2. Life Cycle Assessment & Recycling
10.3. Using Materials
10.4. Haber Process & Use of NPK Fertilisers
10.4. The Haber Process and the Use of NPK Fertilisers
Topic QP MS
Practical skills
RP 1. Making Salts
RP 2. Neutralisation
RP 3. Electrolysis
QP
RP 4. Temperature Changes
RP 5. Rate of Reaction
RP 6. Chromatography
RP 7. Identifying Ions
RP 8. Water Purification

3.3 Practice Questions OCR

Topic-by-topic Foundation and Higher tier practice question papers and mark schemes mapped from OCR Gateway Chemistry GCSE:

Topic Foundation Higher
Topic 1 – Particles
1.1. The Particle Model
1.2. Atomic Structure
Topic 2 – Elements, Compounds and Mixtures
2.1. Purity and Separating Mixtures
2.2. Bonding
2.3. Properties of Materials
Topic 3 – Chemical Reactions
3.1. Introducing Chemical Reactions
3.2. Energetics
3.3. Types of Chemical Reactions N/A
3.3. Types of Reactions N/A
3.4. Electrolysis
Topic Foundation Higher
Topic 4 – Predicting and Identifying Reactions and Products
4.1. Predicting Chemical Reactions
4.2. Identifying the Products of Chemical Reactions
Topic 5 – Monitoring and Controlling Chemical Reactions
5.1. Monitoring Chemical Reactions
5.2. Controlling Reactions
5.3. Equilibria
Topic 6 – Global Challenges
6.1. Improving Processes & Products N/A
6.1. Improving Processes and Products
6.2. Organic Chemistry
6.3. Interpreting & Interacting with Earth Systems N/A
6.3. Interpreting and Interacting with Earth Systems

4. Topical Past Paper Questions

Topical collection of past exam questions sorted by chapter and paper to help you focus on specific areas of the syllabus:

Chapter / Topic Paper 1 Questions Paper 2 Questions
Chapter 1: Principles of Chemistry Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Chapter 2: Inorganic Chemistry Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Chapter 3: Physical Chemistry Part 1 Part 2 Part 1 Part 2
Chapter 4: Organic Chemistry Part 1 Part 2 Part 1 Part 2

5. Past Papers

Search and filter actual past exam papers. Use the quick filter bar to locate papers by year, component, or variant: