Resources by Nuffield Foundation

Option 10: Historical Topics

The purposes of this Revised Nuffield Chemistry option were to review the historical development of a field of chemistry with special reference to its applied and social aspects; to study the life and work of one or more famous scientists working in the field; to create an interest in the original writings of...

Option 1: Water

The first option of Revised Nuffield Chemistry explored the remarkable properties of water and sought to explain them in terms of the polarity of water molecules and hydrogen bonding. Experiments also investigated the properties of detergents and hardness of water. A further topic was the monitoring of water...

Option 2: Colloids

Experimental work in this Revised Nuffield Chemistry option explored the characteristic properties of different types of colloid. The everyday importance of colloids was emphasised and this included a section about cosmetics.

Contents

1. What is a colloid?

2. Sols and gels...

Option 3: Drugs and Medicines

This was a new option for Revised Nuffield Chemistry. Preparative practical work included the production of chloroform and aspirin as well as the extraction of caffeine from tea. Analytical practical work included titrations and applications of TLC.

Contents

1. Drugs from natural...

Option 4: Metals and Alloys

This Revised Nuffield Chemistry option dealt with physical metallurgy, It related important engineering properties of metals to their structures. Practical work includes casting metals, tensile testing and heat treatment.

Contents

1. Metals are crystalline

2. How do metal...

Option 5: Plastics

This revised Nuffield Chemistry option began with everyday plastics and sought to demonstrate, measure and explain their properties. Thermoplastics were distinguished from thermosets and the differences explained in terms of the structure and bonding of polymers. A historical section showed how natural materials...

Option 6: Change and Decay

In this Revised Nuffield Chemistry option, ideas about proton and electron transfer were used to explain the decay of stonework and the corrosion of metals. Practical investigations explored the physical and chemical changes that can lead to the breakdown of stone as well as the factors that determine the rate of...

Option 7: Periodicity, Atomic Structure and Bonding

This Revised Nuffield Option aimed to help students see their experience of elements and compounds in a more unified and coherent theoretical framework. The treatment was based on experiment but emphasised theory.

Contents

1. Periodicity

2. Atomic structure

3. Bonding...

Option 8: The Chemical Industry

Teachers and students had considerable freedom in their response to this Revised Nuffield Chemistry option because under O-level regulations it was teacher assessed. Practical work was based on a ‘real’ industrial process from the fine chemicals industry.

Contents

1. The development...

Option 9: Analysis With a Purpose

This Revised Nuffield Chemistry option suggested the use of paper, column and thin-layer chromatography to analyse inks, food colours and coins. Quantitative work was based on the analysis of vitamin C in foods.

Contents

1. Chromatography

2. The determination of vitamin C in...