WAEC Chemistry Syllabus 2019/2020 - See Current Chemistry Syllabus Here
WAEC Chemistry Syllabus 2019/2020 - See Current Chemistry Syllabus Here
WAEC        Syllabus
               Syllabus        2019/2020
                        - Uploaded        | See
                                   online by    Current Chemistry Syllabus Here
                                             www.myschoolgist.com.ng
CHEMISTRY
1. INTRODUCTION
     This syllabus is drawn purposely for examination, hence the topics are not necessarily
     arranged in the order in which they should be taught.
     (1) That candidates must have covered the Integrated Science/Basic Science or General
         Science and Mathematics syllabuses at the Junior Secondary School (JSS)/Junior High
         School (J.H.S) level;
     (2) That candidates would carry out as many of the suggested activities and project work as
         possible, and consequently develop the intended competencies and skills as spelt out in
         the relevant Chemistry teaching syllabuses;
(3) That schools which offer the subject have well-equipped laboratories.
        Note: Candidates are required to have the knowledge of the significant figures, S.I.
        units and the conventional/IUPAC system of nomenclature.
2. AIMS
3. EXAMINATION SCHEME
     There shall be three papers - Papers 1, 2 and 3 all of which must be taken. Paper 1 and 2
     shall be a composite paper to be taken at one sitting.
     PAPER 1: Will consist of fifty multiple choice objective questions drawn from Section A of
              the syllabus (ie the portion of the syllabus which is common to all candidates) .
              Candidates will be required to answer all the questions within 1 hour for 50
              marks.
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PAPER 2: Will be a 2-hour essay paper covering the entire syllabus and carrying
         100 marks. The paper will be in two sections; Sections A and B.
            Section A:     Will consist of ten short structured questions drawn from the
                           common portion of the syllabus. (i.e. Section A of the syllabus).
                           Candidates will be required to answer all the questions for 25
                           marks.
            Section B:     Will consist of two questions from the common portion of the
                           syllabus (i.e. Section A of the syllabus) and two other questions
                           from the section of the syllabus which is perculiar to the country of
                           the candidate (i.e. either Section B or C of the syllabus).
                           Candidates will be required to answer any three of the questions.
                           Each question shall carry 25 marks.
     PAPER 3:      This shall be a 2-hour practical test for school candidates or 1 hour
                   30 minutes alternative to practical work test for private candidates. Each
                   version of the paper shall contain three compulsory questions and carry 50
                   marks.
Details of the input into the continuous assessment shall be given by the Council.
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SECTION A
CONTENT NOTES
      (ii) Scientific measurements and their          (1) Measurement of mass, length, time,
           importance in chemistry.                       temperature and volume.
                                                      (2) Appropriate SI units and significant
                                                          figures.
                                                      (3) Precision and accuracy in
                                                          measurement.
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CONTENT NOTES
   (ii) Relative atomic mass (Ar) and               (1) Atomic mass as the weighted average
        relative molecular mass (Mr) based              mass of isotopes. Calculation of
        on Carbon-12 scale.                             relative mass of chlorine should be
                                                        used as an example.
                                                    (2) Carbon-12 scale as a unit of
                                                        measurement.
                                                        Definition of atomic mass unit.
(c) Particulate nature of mater: physical and       Explain physical and chemical changes
    chemical changes.                               with examples.
                                                    Physical change- melting of solids,
                                                    magnetization of iron, dissolution of salt
                                                    etc.
                                                    Chemical change- burning of wood,
                                                    rusting of iron, decay of leaves etc.
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CONTENT NOTES
       (c) Criteria for purity.                      Boiling point for liquids and melting
                                                     point for solids.
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CONTENTS NOTES
(d) Reactions between acids and metals,            (1)   Period three metals (Na, Mg, Al).
    their oxides and trioxocarbonates (IV).        (2)   Period four metals (K, Ca).
                                                   (3)   Chemical equations.
                                                   (4)   pH of solutions of the metallic oxides
                                                         and trioxocarbonates.
(f) Elements of the first transition series.       (1) Their electron configurations,
    21Sc – 30Zn                                        physical properties and chemical
                                                       reactivity of the elements and their
                                                       compounds.
                                                   (2) Physical properties should include:
                                                       physical states, metallic properties
                                                       and magnetic properties.
                                                   (3) Reactivity of the metals with air,
                                                       water, acids and comparison with s-
                                                       block elements (Li, Na, Be, Mg).
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CONTENT NOTES
   (b) (i) Formation of ionic bonds and            Formation of stable compounds from
           compounds.                              ions. Factors influencing formation:
                                                   ionzation energy; electron affinity and
                                                   electronegativity difference.
      (ii) Coordinate (dative) covalent bonding.    Formation and difference between pure
                                                   covalent and coordinate (dative) covalent
                                                   bonds.
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CONTENT NOTES
(f) Shapes of molecular compounds.               Linear, planar, tetrahedral and shapes for
                                                 some compounds e.g. BeCl2, BF3, CH4,
                                                 NH3, CO2.
   (ii) Factors influencing its formation.       Factors should include: atomic radius,
                                                 ionization energy and number of valence
                                                 electrons. Types of specific packing not
                                                 required.
(h) (i) Inter molecular bonding                  Relative physical properties of polar and
                                                 non-polar compounds.
  (ii) Intermolecular forces in covalent         Description of formation and nature
       compounds.                                should be treated.
                                                 Dipole-dipole, induced dipole-dipole,
                                                 induced dipole-induced dipole forces
                                                 should be treated under van der Waal’s
                                                 forces.
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CONTENT NOTES
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CONTENT NOTES
   (ii) Concentration terms                         Mass (g) or moles (mol) per unit volume.
                                                    Emphasis on current IUPAC chemical
                                                    terminology, symbols and conventions.
                                                    Concentration be expressed as mass
                                                    concentration, g dm-3, molar
                                                    concentration, mol dm-3.
                                                .
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CONTENT NOTES
       (iii) Diffusion
                                                       (1) Experimental demonstration of
                                                           diffusion of two gases.
                                                       (2) Relationship between speed at which
                                                           different gas particles move and the
                                                           masses of particles.
                                                       (3) Experimental demonstration of
                                                           diffusion of solute particles in
                                                           liquids.
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CONTENT NOTES
(b) Gases:
(i) Characteristics and nature of gases;         Arrangement of particles, density, shape
                                                 and compressibility.
(iii) Laboratory preparation and properties of   (1) Preparation of the following gases:
     some gases.                                     H2, NH3 and CO2. Principles of
                                                     purification and collection of gases.
                                                 (2) Physical and chemical properties of
                                                     the gases.
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CONTENT NOTES
  (d) Solids:
       (i) Characteristics and nature;                 (1) Ionic, metallic, covalent network and
                                                           molecular solids. Examples in each
                                                           case.
                                                       (2) Arrangements of particles ions,
                                                           molecules and atoms in the solid
                                                           state.
      (ii) Types and structures;                       Relate the properties of solids to the type
                                                       of interatomic and intermolecular
                                                       bonding in the solids. Identification of
                                                       the types of chemical bonds in graphite
                                                       and differences in the physical properties.
  (e) Structures, properties and uses of               The uses of diamond and graphite related
      diamond and graphite.                            to the structure.
                                                       The use of iodine in everyday life.
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CONTENT NOTES
   (b) Physical and chemical properties of acids      Characteristic properties of acids and
       and bases.                                     bases in aqueous solution to include:
                                                      (a) conductivities, taste,
                                                          litmus/indicators, feel etc.;
                                                      (b) balanced chemical equations of all
                                                          reactions.
   (c) Acids, bases and salts as electrolytes.        Electrolytes and non-electrolytes; strong
                                                      and weak electrolytes. Evidence from
                                                      conductivity and enthalpy of
                                                      neutralization.
   (d) Classification of acids and bases.             (1) Strength of acids and bases.
                                                      (2) Classify acids and bases into strong
                                                          and weak.
                                                      (3) Extent of dissociation reaction with
                                                          water and conductivity.
                                                      (4) Behaviour of weak acids and weak
                                                          bases in water as example of
                                                          equilibrium systems.
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CONTENT NOTES
                CONTENT
                                                               NOTES
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CONTENT NOTES
 (b) Equilibrium:
     (i) General Principle;                        Explanation of reversible and
                                                   irreversible reactions. Reversible
                                                   reaction i.e. dynamic equilibrium.
                                                   Equilibrium constant K must be treated
                                                   qualitatively. It must be stressed that K
                                                   for a system is constant at constant
                                                   temperature.
                                                   Simple experiment to demonstrate
                                                   reversible reactions.
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CONTENT NOTES
 (a) Oxidation and reduction process.               (1) Oxidation and reduction in terms of:
                                                        (a) addition and removal of oxygen
                                                           and hydrogen;
                                                        (b) loss and gain of electrons;
                                                        (c) change in oxidation
                                                            numbers/states.
                                                    (2) Determination of oxidation
                                                        numbers/states.
 (b) Oxidizing and reducing agents.                (1) Description of oxidizing and reducing
                                                       agents in terms of:
                                                       (a) addition and removal of oxygen
                                                          and hydrogen;
                                                       (b) loss and gain of electrons;
                                                       (c) change in oxidation numbers/state.
 (c) Redox equations
                                                   Balancing redox equations by:
                                                   (a) ion, electron or change in oxidation
                                                       number/states;
                                                   (b) half reactions and overall reaction.
 (d) Electrochemical cells:
                                                   Definition/Explanation
    (i) Standard electrode potential;              (1) Standard hydrogen electrode:
                                                       meaning of standard electrode
                                                       potential (Eo) and its measurement.
                                                   (2) Only metal/metal ion systems should
                                                       be used.
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CONTENT NOTES
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CONTENT NOTES
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CONTENT NOTES
   (ii) Isomerism.
                                            (1) Examples should be limited to
                                                compounds having maximum of five
                                                carbon atoms.
                                            (2) Differences between structural and
                                                geometric/stereo isomerism.
(f) Alkanes:
(g) Alkenes:
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CONTENT NOTES
(ii) Uses;
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CONTENT NOTES
(J) Alkanols:
   (i) Sources, nomenclature and structure;        Recognition of mono and dioic acid.
  (ii) Physical properties;
                                                   Boiling point, solubility in water.
                                                   Including hydrogen bonding effect.
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CONTENT NOTES
   (iv) Uses.
                                                   Uses of ethanoic and phenyl methanoic
                                                   (benzoic) acids as examples of aliphatic
                                                   and aromatic acids respectively.
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CONTENT NOTES
  (a) Proteins:
                                               Proteins as polymers of amino acids
                                               molecules linked by peptide or amide
                                               linkage.
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CONTACT NOTES
(d) Carbohydrates:
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CONTENT NOTES
(iv) Uses.
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                                           SECTION B
                                   (For candidates in Ghana only)
CONTENTS NOTES
CONTENTS NOTES
   (b) Acidic properties of oxides of non-          (1) Oxides of carbon, nitrogen, sulphur,
       metals.                                          phosphorus and chlorine.
                                                    (2) pH of aqueous solutions of the oxides.
                                                    (3) Chemical equations.
   (c) Physical and chemical properties of          (1) Comparison of the physical and chemical
       period 3 elements and their                      properties of period three elements.
       compounds.                                   (2) Comparison of the physical and chemical
                                                        properties of (hydrides, oxides, hydroxides
                                                        and chlorides) compounds.
                                                    (3) Thermal stability of CO32- and NO3- of Li,
                                                        Na, K, Mg and Ca.
                                                    (4) Experiment to compare thermal stability of
                                                        Na2CO3/LiCO3/CuSO4.
   (d) Silicon                                      (1) Structures for SiO2 and CO2 account for the
                                                        differences between physical and chemical
                                                        properties of the two oxides.
                                                    (2) Uses of silicon and its compounds e.g.
                                                        ceramics, glass, silica gel and microchips.
   (h) Elements of the first transition        Reactivity of the metals with air, water, acids and
       series.                                 comparison with s-block elements (Li, Na, Be,
                                               Mg).
3.0. CHEMICAL BONDS
    (a) Formation of Ionic bonds:
       (i) Factors that influence ionic bond
                                               Factors should include lattice energy.
          formation;
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CONTENTS NOTES
4.0 SOLUTIONS
   (a) Preparation of solutions from liquid
                                                    (1) Outline of steps involved in the preparation
        solutes by the method of dilution.              of solutions from liquid solutes.
                                                    (2) Determination of concentration of liquid
                                                        solutes (stock solution) given the density,
                                                        w/v, w/w), specific gravity, relative
                                                        molecular mass, molar mass, and % purity.
                                                    (3) Primary standard, secondary standard and
                                                        standardized solution.
5.0 ENERGY AND ENERGY CHANGES
    (a) Energy changes in physical and
                                                    (1) Definition and understanding of the
        isolated systems.
                                                        meaning of the energy terms: systems,
                                                        surroundings, open and closed.
                                                    (2) Enthalpy change involved in the following
                                                        processes: combustion, atomization,
                                                        sublimation, hydration/salvation and
                                                        dissolution.
   (b) Hess’s Law of heat summation and
       Born-Haber cycle.                            Explanation of Hess’s law and its application in
                                                    the development of the Born-Haber cycle.
                                                    (1) Use of difference cycles to illustrate Hess’s
                                                        law.
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CONTENTS NOTES
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CONTENTS NOTES
    (a) Solubility and solubility product.           (1) Explanation of solubility products (Ksp) of
                                                         sparingly soluble ionic compounds.
                                                     (2) Calculations involving solubility and
                                                         solubility products.
                                                     (3) Factors affecting solubility.
   (c) Crystallization and recrystallization.
                                                Explanation of the effect of lattice energy and
                                                hydration energy on crystallization and
                                                recrystallization.
8.0 CHEMICAL KINETICS AND
     EQUILIBRIUM SYSTEMS
 (a) Rate law and Order of reaction
                                                     (1) Deduction of order and rate law from
                                                         experimental data.
                                                     (2) Simple relationship between rates and
                                                         concentration of zero, first and second order
                                                         reactions. Graphical representation of zero,
                                                         first and second order reactions.
                                                     (3) Half-life for first order reactions and its
                                                         significance.
                                                     (4) General rate law equation.
                                                     (5) Derivation of the rate expression from
                                                         experimentally determined rate data:
                                                         R = k[A]x [B]y where k = rate constant.
(c) Equilibrium
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CONTENTS NOTES
 (d) Equilibrium Law of Mass Action.               (1) Mathematical expression for the
                                                       determination of equilibrium constant K
                                                   (2) K is constant for a system at constant
                                                       temperature.
                                                   (3) Relationship between Kp and Kc.
                                                   (4) Calculation of Kp and Kc from given set
                                                       of data.
                                                   (5) Difference between homogeneous and
                                                       heterogeneous equilibrium systems.
 (c) Reactivity of Organic Compounds.           (1) Inductive effect and Mesomeric effect.
                                                (2) Resonance illustrated with benzene
                                                    molecule.
                                                (3) Explanation of the terms:
                                                    nucleophiles, electrophiles, free radicals and
                                                    ions. homolytic fission, heterolytic fission.
 (d) Alkanes
                                          Halogenation – free radical mechanism.
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CONTENT NOTES
 (a) (i) Sources of raw materials        Location of mineral deposits and their nature.
     (ii) Mining of mineral as ore.
    (iii) Extraction of metals Mineral        (1) Metals – gold, bauxite, manganese and iron.
          deposits in Ghana.                  (2) Precious stone – diamond.
                                              (3) Industrial mining of limestone CaCO3, clay
                                                  Kaolin, solar salt
                                              (4) Processing of Au, Al, Fe as main products
                                              (5) Uses of the metals
 (b) Cement and its uses                      (1) Sources of raw materials for cement
                                                  sproduction.
                                              (2) Processes involved in the production of
                                                  cement.
                                              (3) Uses of cement.
                                              (4) Environmental impact.
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SECTION C
CONTENT NOTES
     (a) Carbon:
         (i) Allotropes of carbon;                   (1) Graphite, diamond and amorphous
                                                         Carbon;
                                                     (2) Structures, properties and uses.
                                                     (3) The uses of the allotropes should be
                                                         correlated with their properties and
                                                         structures.
                                                     (4) Combustion of allotropes.
        (ii) Coal:
            I.     Types;                            Different types should include anthracite,
                                                     peat and lignite.
            II.     Destructive distillation
                    of coal and uses of the
                    products.
        (iii) Coke:
            I.     Classification and uses;          Water gas and producer gas.
            II.    Manufacture of synthetic
                   gas and uses.
(2) Uses.
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CONTENT NOTES
(b) Oxygen:
  (i) Laboratory and industrial
         preparation;
  (ii) Properties and uses;                     Test for oxygen will be required.
(c) Hydrogen:
    (i) Laboratory preparations;
    (ii) Properties and uses.                   Test for hydrogen will be required.
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CONTENT NOTES
(h) Sulphur:
       (i)   Allotropes and uses;
       (ii)  Compound of sulphur;
       (iii) Trioxosulphate (IV) acids and
             its salts;
       (iv) Tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid:                      Contact process should be discussed.
             industrial preparation, reactions
             and uses.
2.0 METALS AND THEIR COMPOUNDS                         (1) Raw materials, processing, main
    (a) Extraction of metals:                              products and by-products.
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CONTENT NOTES
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.16.0 PRACTICALS
    (a) GENERAL SKILLS AND PRINCIPLES
             Candidates will be expected to be familiar with the following skills and principles:
    (i)             Measurement of mass and volume;
    (ii)            Preparation and dilution of standard solutions;
    (iii)           Filtration, recrystallisation and melting point determination;
    (iv)            Measurement of heats of neutralization and solutions;
    (v)             Determination of pH value of various solutions by colorimetry;
   (vi)             Determination of rates of reaction from concentration versus time curves;
           The use of standard solutions of acids and alkalis and the indicators; methyl orange,
           methyl red and phenolphthalein to determine the following:
           Redox titrations
           Titrations of the following systems to solve analytical problems:
           (i)    Acidic MnO4- with Fe2+;
           (ii) Acidic MnO4- with C2O42-;
           (iii) I2 in KI versus S2O32-.
(i) Characteristic tests of the following cations with dilute NaOH(aq) and NH3(aq);
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(iii) Characteristic reaction of dilute HCl on solids or aqueous solutions and conc.
      H2SO4 on solid samples of the following:
      Cl- ; SO32- ; CO32- ; NO3- and SO42-.
(vi) Characteristic tests for the following gases: H2; NH3; CO2; HCl and SO2.
(vii) Characteristic test tube reactions of the functional groups in the following simple
      organic compounds: Alkenes; alkanols; alkanoic acids, sugars (using Fehiling’s
      and Benedict’s solutions only); starch (iodine test only) and proteins (using the
      Ninhydrin test, Xanthoporteic test, Biuret test and Millon’s test only).
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