The concepts covered will provide students with the opportunity to appreciate how the structure of atoms determines the type of bonding and interaction that can take place, and use these concepts to observe and predict the patterns and trends in the chemical and physical properties of matter and its reactions.

The concept of the atomic structure provides the basis for the study of chemical bonding, which builds upon knowledge of how chemical bonds (e.g. ionic bonds, covalent bonds) are formed. By extending this knowledge into an understanding of the electrostatic nature of chemical bonds, this helps in viewing the classification of chemical bonds on a continuum rather than as discrete descriptions. This augments the understanding of intermolecular forces of attraction. The study of the three-dimensional structures of elements and/or their compounds and the types of interactions present explains their chemical and physical properties.

The chemical properties of acids and bases will be covered in greater depth with the introduction of Brønsted and Lewis’s definitions of acids and bases. The study of the properties and behaviours of both ideal and real gases will focus on the use of the ideal gas equation to understand the relationship between the different variables (pressure, volume, amount and temperature).

The study of trends and patterns in the chemical and physical properties of elements in the Periodic Table is built upon prior knowledge of Period and Group trends acquired at the secondary science level.

Connections to themes of Environmental Sustainability and Materials

The interactions between matter resulted in a diversity of materials of different structures and properties. Observing patterns in reactivity and how the structure of a substance affects its properties can be useful for designing and synthesizing new materials.

In the past, people have designed materials to last for as long as they could. Reducing corrosion is important for safety as well as pragmatic purposes. For example, it is difficult to keep replacing rusty iron nails in the house. However, when materials are designed not to naturally degrade easily, they pose issues during disposal. So what factors must be considered when we design materials that can last for the duration of use, and yet can be degraded or recycled when they are no longer needed? Design principles for new materials no longer rest upon durability, but include careful considerations on sustainability, in particular biodegradability and recycling.