CHE3: Chemistry

Studying chemistry gives a better understanding of some of the important chemical reactions that are part of everyday life. Whether these are occurring inside our body’s or happening at a global level, such as acidification of the ocean. Having a background in chemistry, increases your chance of being able to understand and critically look at the many chemistry based claims that are made online. 

In this course is the opportunity to learn how to read spectra to identify organic compounds. Complete various types of reactions, that include identifying compounds, generating electricity using chemicals, determining how much heat energy is released during reactions. We also determine whether substances are going to dissolve or not and calculate the pH of substances. All of these activities link in various ways to the world around us and how various aspects of chemistry can impact on us and the environment.

This course involves class work and individual work. There are activities such as practicals, working through worksheets and answering questions, researching, completing calculations relevant to chemistry  and report writing.  

This course is designed to enable students to gain up to 20 Chemistry credits towards NCEA Level 3. We will start with the internals: spectroscopy, reduction and oxidation reactions and understanding chemical processes in the world around us. We will then move onto the externals: thermochemistry, organic chemistry and aqueous chemistry.

• • Standard 91388: Demonstrate understanding of spectroscopic data in Chemistry (internal)

  • Standard 91389: Demonstrate understanding of chemical processes in the world around us  (internal)

• Standard 91393: Demonstrate understanding of oxidation-reduction processes  (internal)

• Standard 91390: Demonstrate understanding of thermochemical principles  (external)

• Standard 91391: Demonstrate understanding of the properties of organic compounds  (external) 

• Standard 91392: Demonstrate understanding of equilibrium principles in and the properties of particles and substances aqueous systems (external)

Endorsement is available if Ākonga achieve a mix of internal and external standards. Also, a University Entrance in Chemistry is awarded if Ākonga gain 14 or more credits in Chemistry.

Level 3 Chemistry learning workbook. 

Various other workbooks, online videos, worksheets and notes will be available on the class site or in class.