Chemistry

Pupils will be taught about:

The particulate nature of matter

• the properties of the different states of matter (solid, liquid and gas) in terms of the particle model, including gas pressure
• changes of state in terms of the particle model.

Atoms, elements and compounds

• a simple (Dalton) atomic model
• differences between atoms, elements and compounds
• chemical symbols and formulae for elements and compounds
• conservation of mass changes of state and chemical reactions.

Pure and impure substances

• the concept of a pure substance
• mixtures, including dissolving
• diffusion in terms of the particle model
• simple techniques for separating mixtures: filtration, evaporation, distillation and chromatography
• the identification of pure substances.

Chemical reactions

• chemical reactions as the rearrangement of atoms
• representing chemical reactions using formulae and using equations
• combustion, thermal decomposition, oxidation and displacement reactions
• defining acids and alkalis in terms of neutralisation reactions
• the pH scale for measuring acidity/alkalinity; and indicators
• reactions of acids with metals to produce a salt plus hydrogen
• reactions of acids with alkalis to produce a salt plus water
• what catalysts do.

Energetics

• energy changes on changes of state (qualitative)
• exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions (qualitative).

The Periodic Table

• the varying physical and chemical properties of different elements
• the principles underpinning the Mendeleev Periodic Table
• the Periodic Table: periods and groups; metals and non-metals
• how patterns in reactions can be predicted with reference to the Periodic Table
• the properties of metals and non-metals
• the chemical properties of metal and non-metal oxides with respect to acidity.

Materials

• the order of metals and carbon in the reactivity series
• the use of carbon in obtaining metals from metal oxides
• properties of ceramics, polymers and composites (qualitative).

Earth and atmosphere

• the composition of the Earth
• the structure of the Earth
• the rock cycle and the formation of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks
• earth as a source of limited resources and the efficacy of recycling
• the carbon cycle
• the composition of the atmosphere
• the production of carbon dioxide by human activity and the impact on climate.