Year 11 Chemistry Units 1 and 2
Overview
Unit 1 – This unit will take you through the Chemistry behind the materials around us. It looks at the work of early scientists, including the discovery of atoms and the development of the model of the atom to include the sub-atomic particles in the nucleus. In this context, you will learn about the development of the Modern Periodic Table, as both a unifying framework for the placement of elements and as a visual representation of the relationships between elements based on their physical and chemical properties. You will be introduced to carbon chemistry, its importance in organic chemistry, including plastics and its use in nanotechnology.
Unit 2 – This unit explores the chemistry of water: its unique physical and chemical properties that make it a universal solvent and the many reactions that occur in water, including redox reactions and acid-base. You will learn about a variety of contexts and a range of analytical techniques and instrumental procedures used to determine the presence of and amounts of different chemicals, including contaminants, in water. You will apply stoichiometry to determine the concentrations of these chemical species in water.
By the end of each unit, you will be able to explain the differences between materials, their chemical structure, discuss their chemical reactions, and discuss how manufactured materials have changed and continue to change the way we live.
What do you do?
There are a variety of activities in Chemistry, including viewing videos, using interactives and conducting experiments. Interactives and videos help to explain and apply the concepts.
Chemistry is a practical subject where experiments illustrate the chemical theory. Experiments occur throughout the unit, conducted at home and in the laboratory.
Written calculations and recording of observations are also important skills that students practise in their notebook.
Students respond to tasks in a variety of ways, including quizzes, written responses and calculated answers.
Assessments include the presentation of your ideas in the form of your choice.
What skills do you need?
There is maths involved in Chemistry – things like balancing positive and negative charges to work out chemical formulas; some equation solving; using fractions and large numbers with your calculator.
As with any science, it is an advantage to be methodical in practical activities.
You will also need to use the learning materials to understand and apply the background theory.
Study skills will help you succeed in all of your studies. It includes managing your study schedule and contacting your teacher whenever you have questions.
It is particularly important to manage your files so you know where everything is, what you have completed and what you have sent.
What skills do you develop?
New skills that help you understand Chemistry and lead to further studies include:
- calculation skills – working out the amounts of compounds used in chemical reactions, the concentration of solutions, the percentage composition of compounds and balancing chemical equations
- explanation and language skills – using theory and scientific terms to explain chemical reactions, being able to predict what compounds will form in a reaction
- experimental skills – conducting experiments, designing simple experiments, writing reports of experiments
- research skills – being able to research information about topics in Chemistry.
Requirements
The practical investigations in this course are compulsory. Access to a laboratory is essential. If you are unable to use a laboratory at your school (or your home school is the VSV), you will need to attend the VSV laboratory in Thornbury on designated days during Semester 1 and Semester 2.
You must have access to the internet to access this course. Work is to be handwritten and submitted online for assessment weekly.
A textbook and a scientific calculator are also needed. The textbook for this course is Jacaranda Chemistry VCE Units 1 and 2, Second edition. 2019. (Textbook and studyON). You can buy either the textbook or the eBook.
Things to think about
It is important to be clear about your reasons for wanting to study Chemistry. Is it something you’re interested in, a prerequisite for future study, or some other reason?
Think about your commitments – can you make the time available each week for study and practical work?
Are you confident about your maths skills? Will revising your maths skills add to your study time?
To find out more about what’s involved contact us and talk to a Chemistry teacher.
Things you can do now
Students can begin to read the prescribed Textbook prior to the commencement of the course in 2022.
Things to have a look at
The Periodic Table
The Periodic Table – a musical summary. A fun way to understand how the elements are organised and related to the first topic in this unit.
Creative Chemistry
The Creative Chemistry website is a great site to reference with revision topics, interactives and games. Test your science skills and develop your interest in Chemistry.