Stage 1 Chemistry

Stage 1 Chemistry  - Length | Semester (10 credits) or Full Year (20 credits)

The study of Chemistry offers students opportunities to consider the use that human beings make of the planet’s resources and the impact of human activities on the environment. An understanding of chemistry, and the application of this understanding, helps students to appreciate the factors that influence the pursuit of science and to make informed decisions about modifying and interacting with nature.

Scientific inquiry commonly involves teams of people with diverse skills and knowledge. Chemists can contribute to such teams through their study of the properties, uses, means of production and reactions of natural and processed materials. Chemists also make a critical study of the social and environmental impact of materials and chemical processes. Their skills in observation, and in designing and performing experiments, make an important contribution to advances in scientific theories.

Through the study of chemistry, students develop an understanding of the physical world that enables them to be questioning, reflective and critical thinkers. As a way of knowing, students can use chemistry to explore and explain their experiences of phenomena around them.

Content

In this subject, students are expected to:

·   Demonstrate and apply knowledge and understanding of chemical concepts and interrelationships

·   Formulate questions, manipulate apparatus, record observations in practical chemical activities and design and undertake chemistry investigations

·       Demonstrate an understanding of how knowledge of chemistry can be used to make informed conclusions or decisions, taking into account social and environmental contexts

·   Develop possible solutions to a variety of problems in chemistry, in new or familiar contexts

·   Critically analyse and evaluate chemical information and procedures

·   Select and critically evaluate information about chemistry from a variety of sources

·       Communicate in a variety of forms, using appropriate chemical terms and conventions.

Topics

Topic 1: Materials and their Atoms

1.1   Properties and uses of materials

1.2   Atomic structure

1.3   Quantities of atoms

1.4   The Periodic Table

Topic 2: Combining Atoms

2.1   Types of materials

2.2   Bonding (primary) between atoms

2.3   Quantities of molecules and ions

Topic 3: Molecules

3.1   Molecular polarity

3.2   Interactions between molecules

3.3   Hydrocarbons

3.4   Polymers

Topic 4: Mixtures and Solutions

4.1   Miscibility and solutions

4.2   Solutions of ionic substances

4.3   Quantities in reactions

4.4   Energy in reactions

Topic 5: Acids and Bases

5.1   Acid – base concepts

5.2   Reactions of acids and bases

5.3   The pH scale

Topic 6: Redox reactions

6.1   Concepts of Oxidation and Reduction

6.2   Metal reactivity

6.3   Electrochemistry.

Assessment

Assessment Type 1: Investigations Folio

·       Practical Investigations and Science as a Human Endeavour investigation.

Assessment Type 2: Skills and Applications Tasks

·   Tests under supervised conditions

·   Examinations under supervised conditions