Content – Module 1
Properties of Matter
Inquiry question: How do the properties of substances help us to classify and separate them?
Students:
● 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
Homogenous – of uniform composition throughout
Heterogeneous – non uniform or varied consistencies
MATTER
Matter
Homogenou Heterogeno
s Can be separated into us
Are Always
Pure Can be separated into Mixtures
Substance
Elements Compounds
Gravimetric Analysis:
● 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?
Students:
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
– examining spectral evidence for the Bohr model and introducing the Schrödinger
model
● 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?
Students:
● 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?
Students:
● 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:
– physical properties of elements
– physical properties of compounds