What calculations come up in Unit 2 Chemistry?

You balance symbol equations, use conservation of mass to find a missing mass, write formulae by balancing ion charges, and read rate graphs to compare reactions. You also work out electron arrangements and particle counts from atomic and mass numbers.

Which practicals are linked to Unit 2 Chemistry?

The three prescribed chemistry practicals, assessed in Unit 4, include investigating the rate of a reaction (for example by collecting gas or following a colour change), a neutralisation or salt-making activity, and a flame test or test for ions and gases. Testing for hydrogen and carbon dioxide is a common practical context.

Northern IrelandScience (Single Award)

CCEA GCSE Single Award Science: Unit 2 Chemistry overview

Q: What does Unit 2 Chemistry cover in CCEA Single Award Science?

Unit 2 Chemistry covers atomic structure and the periodic table, bonding and structure, symbols, formulae and equations, acids, bases and salts, metals and reactivity, rates of reaction, and organic chemistry and fuels. It is a selected, reduced set of the full CCEA GCSE Chemistry content, chosen so that one science GCSE can cover biology, chemistry and physics.

Q: How is Unit 2 Chemistry examined?

Unit 2 is a written paper sat at either Foundation or Higher tier, worth one quarter of the Single Award GCSE. It uses structured short-answer questions, data and calculation questions, and longer answers. Foundation tier targets the lower grades and Higher tier the higher grades, and you sit all four units at the same tier.

Q: How should I revise Unit 2 Chemistry?

Learn the atomic structure and electron arrangement first, then the bonding that follows from it. Memorise the reactivity series, the reactions of acids, the gas tests, the factors affecting rate with collision theory, and the crude oil fractions and pollutants. Practise balancing equations and reading rate graphs, then work through CCEA past papers.

An overview of Unit 2 Chemistry of CCEA GCSE Science: Single Award, mapping atomic structure and the periodic table, bonding and structure, symbols, formulae and equations, acids, bases and salts, metals and reactivity, rates of reaction, and organic chemistry and fuels, and how they are examined.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.87 min readCCEA 586 Unit 2 (Chemistry)Updated 2026-06-15

Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed

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What this unit covers
How it is examined
How to study it

Unit 2 of CCEA GCSE Science: Single Award is the Chemistry unit. It is a carefully selected subset of the full CCEA GCSE Chemistry course, covering the core ideas so that one science GCSE can include biology, chemistry and physics. This page maps the seven study topics and links to a focused answer page for each one.

What this unit covers

Atomic structure and the periodic table: Protons, neutrons and electrons, atomic and mass number, isotopes, electron arrangement, and the groups and periods with the Group 1, 7 and 0 trends. Start with Atomic structure and the periodic table.
Bonding and structure: Ionic bonding and the giant lattice, covalent bonding in simple molecules, dot-and-cross diagrams, and explaining properties. See Bonding and structure.
Symbols, formulae and equations: Writing formulae from ions, word and balanced symbol equations with state symbols, and conservation of mass. See Symbols, formulae and equations.
Acids, bases and salts: Hydrogen and hydroxide ions, the pH scale, neutralisation, the reactions of acids, and the gas tests. See Acids, bases and salts.
Metals and reactivity: The reactivity series, reactions with water and acid, displacement, extraction, the blast furnace, and rusting. See Metals and reactivity.
Rates of reaction: The factors that change rate, measuring rate, reading rate graphs, and collision theory. See Rates of reaction.
Organic chemistry and fuels: Crude oil, fractional distillation, the alkanes and combustion, the atmosphere, pollutants, and the greenhouse effect. See Organic chemistry and fuels.

How it is examined

Unit 2 is a written paper sat at either Foundation or Higher tier, worth a quarter of the Single Award GCSE. Expect structured short-answer questions, data and calculation questions, and longer answers. Balancing equations, conservation of mass and reading rate graphs come up often, and a calculator is allowed.

How to study it

Learn the atomic structure and electron arrangement first, then the bonding that follows from it. Memorise the reactivity series, the reactions of acids, the gas tests, the factors affecting rate with collision theory, and the crude oil fractions and pollutants. Drill balancing equations and reading rate graphs, then practise CCEA past papers and finish with the module quiz.

Sources & how we know this

CCEA GCSE Science: Single Award specification — CCEA (2017)