Learning Area Leader: Ms Harrowfield
Career Paths / Future Directions
Analytical Chemist, Education, Engineering, Food Science, Forensic Science, Health Sciences, Industrial Chemist, Medical Sciences, Medicine
*It is strongly recommended that students electing to study chemistry have maintained a high level of achievement in Science and Mathematics across Years 9 and 10
Unit 1 – How Can The Diversity Of Materials Be Explained? (Code: CHEM11)
Description
In this unit investigate the chemical structures and properties of a range of materials, including covalent compounds, metals, ionic compounds and polymers. They are introduced to ways that chemical quantities are measured. They consider how manufacturing innovations lead to more sustainable products being produced for society through the use of renewable raw materials and a transition from a linear economy towards a circular economy.
Students conduct practical investigations involving the reactivity series of metals, separation of mixtures by chromatography, use of precipitation reactions to identify ionic compounds, determination of empirical formulas, and synthesis of polymers.
Outcomes
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
· Explain how elements form carbon compounds, metallic lattices and ionic compounds, experimentally investigate and model the properties of different materials, and use chromatography to separate the components of mixtures.
· Calculate mole quantities, use systematic nomenclature to name organic compounds, explain how polymers can be designed for a purpose, and evaluate the consequences for human health and the environment of the production of organic materials and polymers.
· Investigate and explain how chemical knowledge is used to create a more sustainable future in relation to the production or use of a selected material.
Unit 2 – How Do Chemical Reactions Shape The Natural World? (Code: CHEM22)
Description
In this unit students analyse and compare different substances dissolved in water and the gases that may be produced in chemical reactions. They explore applications of acid-base and redox reactions in society.
Students conduct practical investigations involving the specific heat capacity of water, acid-base and redox reactions, solubility, molar volume of a gas, volumetric analysis, and the use of a calibration curve.
A student-adapted or student-designed scientific investigation is undertaken in Area of Study 3. The investigation involves the generation of primary data and is related to the production of gases, acid-base or redox reactions, or the analysis of substances in water
Outcomes
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
· explain the properties of water in terms of structure and bonding and experimentally investigate and analyse applications of acid- base and redox reactions in society.
· calculate solution concentrations and predict solubilities, use volumetric analysis and instrumental techniques to analyse for acids, bases and salts, and apply stoichiometry to calculate chemical quantities.
· draw an evidence-based conclusion from primary data generated from a student-adapted or student-designed scientific investigation related to the production of gases, acid-base or redox reactions or the analysis of substances in water.
Units 1 and 2 Assessment
For each outcome, at least one task selected from:
· a report of a laboratory or fieldwork activity, including the generation of primary data
· comparison and evaluation of chemical concepts, methodologies and methods, and findings from at least two student practical activities
· reflective annotations of one or more practical activities from a logbook
· a summary report of selected practical investigations
· critique of an experimental design, chemical process or apparatus
· analysis and evaluation of generated primary and/or collated secondary data
· a modelling or simulation activity
· a media analysis/response
· problem-solving involving chemical concepts, skills and/or issues
· a report of an application of chemical concepts to a real-life context
· analysis and evaluation of a chemical innovation, research study, case study, socio-scientific issue, secondary data or a media communication, with reference to sustainability (green chemistry principles, sustainable development and/or the transition to a circular economy)
· an infographic
· a scientific poster
Unit 3 – How Can Design And Innovation Help To Optimise Chemical Processes? (Code: CHEM33)
Description
In this unit students investigate the chemical production of energy and materials and explore how innovation, design and green chemistry principles can be applied to minimise possible harmful effects of production on human health and the environment.
Students analyse chemical processes with reference to factors that influence their reaction rates and extent. They investigate how the rate of a reaction can be controlled so that it occurs at the optimum rate while avoiding unwanted side reactions and by-products. The purpose, design and operating principles of galvanic cells, fuel cells, rechargeable cells and electrolytic cells are considered when evaluating their suitability for supplying society’s needs energy and materials. They conduct practical investigations involving redox reactions, electrochemical cells and equilibrium systems.
Outcomes
On completion of this unit, students 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 primary cells and fuel cells, and evaluate the sustainability of electrochemical cells in producing energy for society.
· 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-Based Compounds Designed For Purpose? (Code: CHEM44)
Description
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. They study the metabolism of food and the action of medicines in the body. They explore how laboratory analysis and various instrumentation techniques can be applied to analyse organic compounds in order to identify them and to ensure product purity.
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 distillation. A student designed scientific investigation involving the generation of primary data is also undertaken.
Outcome
On completion of this unit, students 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 and use of organic compounds used in society.
· 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.
· Design and conduct a scientific investigation related to the production of energy and/or materials, and present an aim, methodology and method, results, discussion and a conclusion in a scientific poster.
Unit 3 & 4 Assessment
Unit 3 Coursework = 20%
Unit 4 Coursework = 30%
End of year Examination = 50%