Chemistry
Units 1-2
The chemistry undertaken in this study provides students with the skills to pursue further studies and is representative of the major ideas of Chemistry. Students become responsible decision-making citizens able to use chemical knowledge in their everyday lives. Students are led to evaluate and debate important issues such as the future of our environment and its management. Students need to have studied Units 1 and 2 Chemistry before attempting Units 3 and 4 Chemistry.
UNIT 1
In Unit 1,students 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.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES Practical activities and reports, research, text reading and responding.
KEY SKILLS REQUIRED Throughout the unit students use chemistry terminology including symbols, formulas, chemical nomenclature and equations to represent and explain observations and data from experiments, and to discuss chemical phenomena.
ASSESSED TASKS Topic tests, experimental report, and an end of semester examination.
UNIT 2
In unit 2, 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.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES Practical activities and reports, research, text reading and responding.
KEY SKILLS REQUIRED Throughout the unit students use chemistry terminology including symbols, formulas, chemical nomenclature and equations to represent and explain observations and data from experiments, and to discuss chemical phenomena.
ASSESSED TASKS Topic tests, independent investigation report and an end of semester examination.
Units 3-4
This subject will provide students with the skills to pursue further studies. All students should become more informed, responsible decision-making citizens able to use chemical knowledge in their everyday lives and to evaluate and debate important issues such as the future of our environment and its management. Students need to have satisfactorily completed Units 1 and 2 Chemistry prior to studying Units 3 and 4.
UNIT 3
In unit 3, students investigate the chemical production of energy and materials. They explore how innovation, design and sustainability principles and concepts can be applied to produce energy and materials while minimising possible harmful effects of production on human health and the environment. Students analyse and compare different fuels as energy sources for society, with reference to the energy transformations and chemical reactions involved, energy efficiencies, environmental impacts and potential applications.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES Practical activities and reports, research, text reading and responding.
KEY SKILLS REQUIRED An ability to inquire scientifically, apply and communicate chemical understandings and information and an ability to complete basic numerical calculations.
ASSESSED TASKS Two different types of assessment chosen from a range of options including a report, media analysis and a reflective learning journal.
UNIT 4
In unit 4, 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.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES Practical activities and reports, research, text reading and responding.
KEY SKILLS REQUIRED An ability to inquire scientifically, apply and communicate chemical understandings and information and an ability to complete numerical calculations.
ASSESSED TASKS Two different types of assessment chosen from a range of options including a report, set of structured questions, media analysis and a reflective learning journal as well as a structured scientific poster according to the VCAA standard template.
VCAA ASSESSMENT – The overall Study Score will consist of: School Assessed Coursework 50% , end of year written examination 50%.