Chemistry

Why study Chemistry?

Chemistry is the study of matter and energy and the interaction between them. Chemistry is everywhere in the world around you! It's in the food you eat, clothes you wear, water you drink, medicines, air, cleaners... you name it. Chemistry sometimes is called the "central science" because it connects other sciences to each other, such as biology, physics, geology, and environmental science.

Chemistry teaches useful skills. Because it is a science, learning chemistry means learning how to be objective and how to reason and solve problems.

So there are many reasons to study chemistry, even if you aren't pursuing a career in science.


Importance of Chemistry in Life

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Where can your love for Chemistry take you?

The bullseye shows a selection of occupations that are related to your area of interest. Use the four education and training levels as a guide only and be sure to meet with the Careers Counsellor to discuss your career pathway.

Level 1 careers:

Usually require a skill level equal to the completion of Year 10, the Senior Certificate of Education, Certificate I or II. Australian Apprenticeships maybe offered at this level.

Level 2 careers:

Usually require a skill level equal to a Certificate III or IV or at least three years relevant experience. Australian Apprenticeships maybe offered at this level.

Level 3 careers:

Usually require a level of skill equal to a Diploma or Advance Diploma. Study is often undertaken through TAFEs or Register Training Organisations. Some universities offer studies at this level.

Level 4 careers:

Usually requires a level of skill equal to a Bachelor Degree or higher qualification. Study is often undertaken at a university.


Course Structure

Overview

Requirements for practical investigations

Scientific investigations include both practical investigations and secondary-sourced investigations. Practical investigations are an essential part of the course.

Practical investigations include:

  • undertaking laboratory experiments, including the use of appropriate digital technologies

  • fieldwork.

Secondary-sourced investigations include:

  • locating and accessing a wide range of secondary data and/or information

  • using and reorganising secondary data and/or information

Properties and Structure of Matter

In this module we investigate:

  • How the properties of substances helps us classify and separate them?

  • Why are atoms of elements different from one another?

  • Are there patterns in the properties of elements?

  • What binds atoms together in elements and compounds?

Some of the things we will do include:

  • Use different separation techniques to separate mixtures

  • Classify elements based on properties and position in the periodic table

  • Calculate the relative atomic mass from isotopic composition

  • Investigate energy levels in atoms and ions

  • Use the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) naming conventions to name organic and inorganic compounds.

Introduction to quantitative chemistry

In this module we investigate:

  • What happens in chemical reactions?

  • How are measurements made in chemical reactions?

  • How are chemicals in solutions measured?

  • How the ideal gas law relates to all the other gas laws?

Some of the things we will do include:

  • Explore the concept of the mole

  • Calculate and manipulate masses, chemical amounts and number of particles in limiting reagent reactions

  • Investigate the quantitative relationships in chemical reactions

  • Investigate and calculate the molar mass of elements and compounds

  • Investigate the concentrations of solutions and the different ways concentration can be measured

  • Investigate standard solutions and performing dilutions

  • Investigate the gas laws


Reactive Chemistry

In this module we investigate:

  • What are the products of a chemical reaction?

  • How is the reactivity of various metals predicted?

  • What affects the rate of a chemical reaction?

Some of the things we will do include:

  • Investigate a variety of reactions to predict and identify the products formed

  • Construct balanced chemical equations to represent chemical reactions

  • Investigations to compare the reactivity of different metals

  • Investigates to measure and compare the reduction potential of galvanic cells

  • Investigate how the rate of a chemical reaction can be affected by a range of factors

  • Investigate the role of activation energy, collisions and molecular orientation in collision theory

Drivers of Reactions

In this module we investigate:

  • What energy changes occur in chemical reactions

  • How much energy does it take to break bonds?

  • How much energy is released when bonds are formed?

  • How can enthalpy and entropy be used to explain reaction spontaneity?

Some of the things we will do include:

  • Investigate temperature changes in endothermic and exothermic reactions

  • Investigate enthalpy changes in reactions using calorimetry

  • Construct and interpret energy profile diagrams

  • Model and analyse the role of catalysts in reactions

  • Investigate and apply Hess's Law

  • Solve problems using standard references and Gibbs free energy formula to classify reactions

Depth Study - Preliminary Course (15 hours)

You will be provided with 15 hours of class time to work on your Preliminary Course Depth Study.

The Depth Study will include you carrying out an experiment that satisfies one or more of the Knowledge Outcomes of the Preliminary Chemistry course. Your mark for the Depth Study will be based on the experiment report you submit.


Equilibrium and Acid Reactions

In this module we investigate:

  • What happens when chemical reactions do not go through to completion?

  • What factors affect equilibrium and how?

  • How can the position of equilibrium be described and what does the equilibrium constant represent?

Some of the things we will do include:

  • Investigate reversible reactions

  • Model static and dynamic equilibrium

  • Investigate the relationship between collision theory and reaction rate to analyse equilibrium reactions

  • Investigate Le Chatelier's principle

  • Determine the equilibrium constant of a chemical equilibrium system

  • Investigate the solubility rules

  • Calculate the solubility of an ionic substance

Acid / Base Reactions

In this module we investigate:

  • What is an acid and what is a base?

  • How can the position of equilibrium be described and what does the equilibrium constant represent?

  • What is the role of water in solutions of acids and bases?

  • How are solutions of acids and bases analysed?

Some of the things we will do include:

  • Investigate the preparation and use of indicators

  • Predict the products of acid reactions and write balanced equations

  • Measure the enthalpy of neutralisation

  • Investigate the pH of a range of acids and bases

  • Investigate the differences between the strength of acids and bases

  • Calculate the pH of the resultant solution when solutions of acids and/or bases are diluted or mixed

  • Analyse the concentration of an unknown acid or base by titration

  • Prepare a buffer solution and demonstrate its properties

Organic Chemistry

In this module we investigate:

  • How do we systematically name organic chemical compounds?

  • How can hydrocarbons be classified based on their structure and reactivity?

  • How can alcohols be produced and what are their properties?

  • What are the properties of organic acids and bases?

  • What are the products of reactions of hydrocarbons and how do they react?

  • What are the properties and uses of polymers?

Some of the things we will do include:

  • Investigate the nomenclature of organic chemicals using IUPAC conventions

  • Explore and distinguish the different types of structural isomers

  • Investigate and compare the properties of organic chemical compounds within a homologous series

  • Investigate the structural formulae, properties and functional groups of different groups of organic compounds

  • Investigate the properties and write equations for the reactions of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons

  • Investigate and compare the enthalpy of combustion for a range of alcohols

  • Investigate the production of alcohols

  • Investigate the production of simple esters in a school laboratory

  • Investigate the structure and action of soaps and detergents

  • Model and compare the structure, properties and uses of different polymers

Applying Chemical Ideas

In this module we investigate:

  • How are the ions present in the environment identified and measured?

  • How is the information about the reactivity and structure of organic compounds obtained?

  • What are the implications for society of chemical synthesis and design?

Some of the things we will do include:

  • Investigate the presence of different ions in aqueous solutions using a range of tests

  • Conduct investigations and process data for a range of different analytical techniques

  • Conduct qualitative investigations to test for the presence of different functional groups in organic molecules

  • Investigate the processes used to analyse the structure of simple organic compounds

  • Investigate and process data to determine the concentration of coloured species and/or metal ions in aqueous solutions.

Depth Study - HSC Course (15 hours)

You will be provided with 15 hours of class time to work on your HSC Course Depth Study.

The Depth Study will include you carrying out an experiment that satisfies one or more of the Knowledge Outcomes of the HSC Chemistry course. Your mark for the Depth Study will be based on the experiment report you submit.

The 15 hours of class time will be the maximum you will be given to spend on your Depth Study - IN CLASS, the rest will have to be covered by you in your own time.

This Depth Study & its report must be sufficiently different from your Preliminary Course Depth Study.