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UNIT 1 – How do the chemical structures of materials explain their properties and reactions?
Focus:
Students focus on elements as the building blocks of useful materials. They investigate the structures, properties and reactions of carbon compounds, metals and ionic compounds, and use chromatography to separate the components of mixtures. They use metal recycling as a context to explore the transition in manufacturing processes from a linear economy to a circular economy.
The selection of learning contexts allow students to develop practical techniques to investigate the properties and reactions of various materials. Students develop their skills in the use of scientific equipment and apparatus. Students will look at ways of identifying elements in the periodic table. They will analyse various models to investigate covalent, metallic and ionic structures. They use solubility tables to experimentally identify unknown ions in solution. They respond to challenges which such as developing their own reactivity series by reacting samples of metals with acids, oxygen and water.
Assessment Tasks:
School Assessed Coursework including experiments, a research report, topic tests and an end of semester exam
UNIT 2 – How do chemical reactions shape the natural world?
Focus:
Students analyse and compare different substances dissolved in water and the gases that may be produced in chemical reactions. They explore applications of acid-base and redox reactions in society. Students conduct practical investigations involving the specific heat capacity of water, acid-base and redox reactions, solubility, molar volume of a gas, volumetric analysis, and the use of a calibration curve. Throughout the unit students use chemistry terminology, including symbols, formulas, chemical nomenclature and equations, to represent and explain observations and data from their own investigations and to evaluate the chemistry- based claims of others.
Assessment Tasks:
School Assessed Coursework including experiments, a report on a self-designed or adapted experiment, topic tests and an end of semester exam.
Other:
Students are required to purchase the textbook, through the college booklist, and have their own scientific calculator.
Prerequisite:
Students are strongly recommended to have successfully studied Core Science and Physical Sciences at Year 10 Level.
UNIT 3 – How can design and innovation help to optimize chemical processes?
Focus:
Students analyse and compare different fuels as energy sources for society, with reference to the energy transformations and chemical reactions involved, energy efficiencies, environmental impacts and potential applications. They explore food in the context of supplying energy in living systems. The purpose, design and operating principles of galvanic cells, fuel cells, rechargeable cells and electrolytic cells are considered when evaluating their suitability for supplying society’s needs for energy and materials. They evaluate chemical processes with reference to factors that influence their reaction rates and extent. They investigate how the rate of a reaction can be controlled so that it occurs at the optimum rate while avoiding unwanted side reactions and by-products. Students conduct practical investigations involving thermochemistry, redox reactions, electrochemical cells, reaction rates and equilibrium systems.
Assessment Tasks:
School Assessed Coursework, Topic Test, Data Analysis, Practical Reports, End of Year Exam.
UNIT 4 – How are carbon-based compounds designed for purpose?
Focus:
Carbon is the basis not only of the structure of living tissues but is also found in fuels, foods, medicines, polymers and many other materials that we use in everyday life. In this unit students investigate the structures and reactions of carbon-based organic compounds, including considering how green chemistry principles are applied in the production of synthetic organic compounds. They study the metabolism of food and the action of medicines in the body. They explore how laboratory analysis and various instrumentation techniques can be applied to analyse organic compounds in order to identify them and to ensure product purity.
Assessment Tasks:
School Assessed Coursework, Topic Test, Data Analysis, Practical Reports, Student-Designed Experiment, End of Year Exam.
Prerequisite:
It is recommended that students have successfully completed Unit 1 & 2 of Chemistry
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