Inquiry question: How do the properties of substances help us to classify and separate them?
explore homogeneous mixtures and heterogeneous mixtures through practical investigations:
using separation techniques based on physical properties
calculating percentage composition by weight of component elements and/or compounds
investigate the nomenclature of inorganic substances using International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) naming conventions
classify the elements based on their properties and position in the periodic table through their:
physical properties
chemical properties
Atomic structure and atomic mass
Inquiry question:Why are atoms of elements different from one another?
investigate the basic structure of stable and unstable isotopes by examining:
their position in the periodic table
the distribution of electrons, protons and neutrons in the atom
representation of the symbol, atomic number and mass number (nucleon number)
model the atom’s discrete energy levels, including electronic configuration and spdf notation
calculate the relative atomic mass from isotopic composition
investigate energy levels in atoms and ions through:
collecting primary data from a flame test using different ionic solutions of metals
investigate the properties of unstable isotopes using natural and human-made radioisotopes as examples, including but not limited to:
types of radiation
types of balanced nuclear reactions
Periodicity
Inquiry question: Are there patterns in the properties of elements?
demonstrate, explain and predict the relationships in the observable trends in the physical and chemical properties of elements in periods and groups in the periodic table, including but not limited to:
state of matter at room temperature
electronic configurations and atomic radii
first ionisation energy and electronegativity
reactivity with water
Bonding
Inquiry question: What binds atoms together in elements and compounds?
investigate the role of electronegativity in determining the ionic or covalent nature of bonds between atoms
investigate the differences between ionic and covalent compounds through:
using nomenclature, valency and chemical formulae (including Lewis dot diagrams)
examining the spectrum of bonds between atoms with varying degrees of polarity with respect to their constituent elements’ positions on the periodic table
modelling the shapes of molecular substances
investigate elements that possess the physical property of allotropy
investigate the different chemical structures of atoms and elements, including but not limited to:
ionic networks
covalent networks (including diamond and silicon dioxide)
covalent molecular
metallic structure
explore the similarities and differences between the nature of intermolecular and intramolecular bonds and the strength of the forces associated with each, in order to explain the: