Year 11 Chemistry Units 1 and 2
Overview
Unit 1 – This unit will take you through the diversity of materials around us, beginning with the Periodic Table – both as 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. Understanding chemical structures and properties of a range of materials has enabled chemists to develop products for specific purposes. We begin with the development of atomic theory, organisation of the elements and trends according to their physical and chemical properties, and learning about covalent compounds, metals, ionic compounds and carbon chemistry. The significance of carbon chemistry, namely organic chemistry, including plastics has shaped the chemical industry and society for a long time. And now chemists are focused on the need to develop products that are safe and more sustainable, with green chemistry principles at its core.
Unit 2 – This unit explores how chemical reactions shape the natural world and how chemicals interact with water. The chemistry of water, including its unique physical and chemical properties that make it a universal solvent. The different types of 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 heavy metal contaminants in water, and ocean acidification. 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. Importantly, you will develop these understandings with an appreciation of green chemistry principles and the transition to a sustainable future. Be part of this exciting future!
Who is it for?
It is important to be clear about your reasons for wanting to study Chemistry. Is it something that you are really interested in and want to have a future in science.
Is Chemistry a prerequisite for a course you wish to study at TAFE or University? Or are you curious about what chemistry is all about?
Chemistry requires commitment and you need to think about whether you can make the time for both the theory and the practical work.
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 and written responses, including calculations, to demonstrate their understanding of the theory in a range of applications.
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, recording observations and results and writing reports, including analysis and discussion of experiments, in a logbook.
Scientific investigations – undertaking investigations in a number of ways to develop critical and creative thinking skills, and problem-solving skills, across a number of topics in this unit.
Requirements
The practical investigations in this course are compulsory. School-based students are expected to be given access to the laboratory at their home school and will need to be supervised while conducting experiments. This access and supervision will be required for half a day in terms 1, 2, and 3 (3 days in total). If you are unable to use a laboratory at your home school (or your home school is the VSV), you can attend the VSV laboratory in Thornbury. Laboratory days at VSV will require attendance for 1 day in terms 1, 2, and 3 (3 days in total).
You must have access to the internet to study this course. Work is to be handwritten and submitted weekly for assessment, via the online submission tool.
A scientific calculator is needed. The recommended textbook for this course is Heinemann Chemistry 1 & 2, 6th edition textbook or 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? Practical work is integral to chemistry because it teaches you important skills and improves your understanding of chemistry theory.
Are you confident about your reading/comprehension, writing and maths skills? Will revising your reading/comprehension, writing 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 recommended textbook prior to the commencement of the course.
Things to have a look at
The Periodic Table – a musical summary. A fun way to be introduced to the elements and how they are organised. The Periodic Table is the basis of chemistry.
Singing to the elements
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.