· 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 

· 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) (ACSCH029)

· 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