Year 12 Chemistry
(Unit 3 & 4)

COURSE OUTLINE

Unit 3 - How can design and innovation help to optimise chemical processes? 

The global demand for energy and materials is increasing with world population growth. In this unit students explore energy options and the chemical production of materials with reference to efficiencies, renewability and the minimisation of their impact on the environment. 

Students compare and evaluate different chemical energy resources, including fossil fuels, biofuels, galvanic cells and fuel cells. They investigate the combustion of fuels, including the energy transformations involved, the use of stoichiometry to calculate the amounts of reactants and products involved in the reactions, and calculations of the amounts of energy released and their representations. Students consider the purpose, design and operating principles of galvanic cells, fuel cells and electrolytic cells. In this context they use the electrochemical series to predict and write half and overall redox equations, and apply Faraday's laws to calculate quantities in electrolytic reactions. 

Outcome 1

On completion of this unit the student should be able to compare fuels quantitatively with reference to combustion products and energy outputs, apply knowledge of the electrochemical series to design, construct and test galvanic cells, and evaluate energy resources based on energy efficiency, renewability and environmental impact. 

Outcome 2

On completion of this unit the student should be able to experimentally analyse chemical systems to predict how the rate and extent of chemical reactions can be optimised, explain how electrolysis is involved in the production of chemicals, and evaluate the sustainability of electrolytic processes in producing useful materials for society.

Unit 4 - How are carbon-base compounds designed for purpose? 

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.

Students conduct practical investigations related to the synthesis and analysis of organic compounds, involving reaction pathways, organic synthesis, identification of functional groups, direct redox titrations, solvent extraction and distillations.

Outcome 1

On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse the general structures and reactions of the major organic families of compounds, design reaction pathways for organic synthesis, and evaluate the sustainability of the manufacture of organic compounds used in society.

Outcome 2

On completion of this unit the student should be able to apply qualitative and quantitative tests to analyse organic compounds and their structural characteristics, deduce structures of organic compounds using instrumental analysis data, explain how some medicines function, and experimentally analyse how some natural medicines can be extracted and purified.

Outcome 3

On completion of this unit the student should be able to design and conduct a scientific investigation related to the production of energy and/or chemicals and/or the analysis or synthesis of organic compounds, and present an aim, methodology and method, results, discussion and conclusion in a scientific poster.

ASSESSMENT TASKS

 Unit 3 & 4

Assessment tasks may include, but not limited to:

• Comparasion and evaluation of chemical concepts, methodologies and methods, and findings from at least two practical activities

• Analysis and evaluation of primary and/or secondary data, including identified assumptions or data limitations, and conclusions 

• Problem-solving, including calculations, using chemistry concepts and skills applied to real-world contexts

• Analysis and evaluation of a chemical innovation, reasearch study, case study, socio-scientific issue, or media communication

• Communication of the design, analysis and findings of a student-designed and student-conducted scientific investigation through a structed scientific poster and logbook entries