Chemistry lesson notes for SS1–SS3

What students learn

By the end of SS3, a student who has worked through these notes should be able to:

• Write chemical symbols, formulae and balanced equations for common substances and reactions
• Describe the particulate nature of matter and the main separation techniques for mixtures
• Explain the arrangement of the periodic table and the properties of element families
• Describe electrolysis, state Faraday’s laws and explain how electrochemical cells work
• Explain energy changes, thermodynamics and chemical equilibrium in reactions
• Describe the preparation and properties of hydrogen, oxygen, the halogens, nitrogen and sulphur
• Name and describe hydrocarbons, alkanols, alkanoic acids, fats, oils and soaps
• Carry out volumetric calculations and use qualitative analysis to identify substances

What each class covers

Every topic is a separate lesson note, listed here in teaching order. Open any topic, or the term, to read it.

SS1 Chemistry 18 notes

First Term 5 notes

• Introduction to Chemistry I
• Particulate Nature of Matter
• Symbols, Formula and Equations
• Symbols, Formula and Equations II
• Chemical Combinations

Second Term 4 notes

• Gas Law
• Standard Separation Techniques for Mixtures
• Acids
• Bases and Salts

Third Term 9 notes

• Carbon and its Compounds I
• Carbon and its Compounds II
• Carbon and It'S Compounds III
• Carbon and It'S Compounds IV: Coal & Fuel Gases
• Carbon and It'S Compounds V: Trioxocarbonate (IV) Acid
• Carbon and It'S Compounds VI: Hydrocarbon
• Carbon and It'S Compounds VII: Octane & Petrol
• Chemical Industries
• Chemical Industries II

SS2 Chemistry 24 notes

First Term 8 notes

• Periodic Table
• Families of Elements
• Families of Elements II: Transition & Rare Earth Elements
• Oxidation and Reduction Reaction
• Electrolysis
• Electrolysis II: Factors Affecting Preferential Discharge of Ions
• Electrolysis III: Faraday's Laws of Electrolysis
• Electrochemical Cells

Second Term 9 notes

• Chemical Reactions
• Energy, Energy Changes and Biotechnology
• Thermodynamics
• Chemical Equilibruim
• Non Metals: Hydrogen
• Non Metals: Oxgyen
• Halogens
• Nitrogens
• Sulphur

Third Term 7 notes

• Water
• Solubility
• Mass-Volume Relationship
• Volumetric/Quantitative Analysis
• Hydrocarbons
• Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
• Alkanols

SS3 Chemistry 15 notes

First Term 10 notes

• Alkanoic Acids/Carboxylic Acid
• Fats and Oils
• Soaps
• Amino Acids
• Polymers, Giants and Macro Molecules
• Polymers, Giants and Macro Molecules II
• Metals and Their Compounds
• Alkaline Earth Metals, Aluminium and Tins
• Transition Metals
• Alloys

Second Term 5 notes

• Nuclear Chemistry
• Shapes and Molecules
• Petroleum and Crude Oil
• Volumetric Analysis
• Qualitative Analysis

How we prepare our lesson notes

Each note covers one topic for one class and one term, and the notes follow teaching order. Every note has behavioural objectives, the lesson content in short sections, evaluation questions and an assignment drawn from the same note.

Notes are edited for accuracy, plain language and the right level for the class before they are published.

Every note is free to read online. A PDF or Word copy of one subject costs ₦1,000 for one term, or ₦2,000 for all three terms. If you find a mistake, tell us and we will correct it.

Recommended Chemistry textbooks

Books are grouped by class. The line under each title shows which list recommends it.

SS1 Chemistry textbooks 4 books

Name	Author	Publisher
STANPLACE Chemistry Senior Secondary School 1FG NERDC approved list, 2026 to 2028Edition: 2026	Philomine Joseph, Zeph Njoku, Musiliu Olayiwola et al	STANPLACE
Understanding Chemistry for Schools and CollegesSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)	Godwin O. Ojokuku	Press-on Chemresources
Elucidative Chemistry for Schools and CollegesSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)	Lomuwagun M. A.	Delight Resources
Exposure Chemistry Practical Textbook and Workbook ManualSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)	Ogunleye I. O.	Joytal

SS2 Chemistry textbooks 5 books

Name	Author	Publisher
Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges (Senior Secondary)School booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)Edition: 3rd ed 2019 / 4th ed (per Konga listings)	Godwin O. Ojokuku	Press-On Chemresources
New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary SchoolsSchool booklist – Whitesands School, Lagos (private)Edition: Jumia listing 'Latest 2018 Edition'; JAMB list 4th ed 2009	Osei Yaw Ababio	Africana First Publishers
Elucidative Chemistry for Schools and CollegesSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)	M.A. Lomuwagun	Delight Resources
Outline Chemistry for Senior SecondarySchool booklist – Whitesands School, Lagos (private)	Ojiodu Chukwuwuba	New Wave Publishers
Exposure Chemistry Practical Textbook and Workbook ManualSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)	Ogunleye I. O.	Joytal

SS3 Chemistry textbooks 5 books

Name	Author	Publisher
Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges (Senior Secondary)School booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)Edition: 3rd ed 2019 / 4th ed (per Konga listings)	Godwin O. Ojokuku	Press-On Chemresources
New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary SchoolsSchool booklist – Whitesands School, Lagos (private)Edition: Jumia listing 'Latest 2018 Edition'; JAMB list 4th ed 2009	Osei Yaw Ababio	Africana First Publishers
Elucidative Chemistry for Schools and CollegesSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)	M.A. Lomuwagun	Delight Resources
Outline Chemistry for Senior SecondarySchool booklist – Whitesands School, Lagos (private)	Ojiodu Chukwuwuba	New Wave Publishers
Exposure Chemistry Practical Textbook and Workbook ManualSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)	Ogunleye I. O.	Joytal

Based on the 2026/27 recommended lists. Editions change, so confirm the current edition with your school or bookseller.