Chemistry and Physics Semester Unit

Scope of the units

Please refer to the Year 10 Common Subjects page for information about how to choose your Science subjects for Year 10 (including opportunities for academic extension).

These units incorporate elements of the Australian Curriculum and prepare students for a range of pathways beyond Year 10.

Chemistry: Introductory Chemistry

Investigates atomic theory and relates this to the periodic table and chemical reactions. The chemical and physical properties of substances are explained in terms of their structure and bonding.

In this unit students will explore the following essential questions:

what is the structure of an atom?
how do atoms combine to form compounds?
how is mass conserved in a chemical reaction?
why are elements placed where they are in the Periodic Table?
how are balanced chemical reactions written?

Assessment

Tasks	Outcomes
Assignments Practicals Tests	Investigate the development of the periodic table and how this was dependent on experimental evidence at the time Recognise that elements in the same group of the periodic table have similar properties Describe the structure of atoms in terms of electron shells Explain how the electronic structure of an atom determines its position in the periodic table and its properties
Practicals Test	Describe the formation of ionic and covalent bonding
Test Practicals Test	Predict the products of different types of simple chemical reactions Use word or symbol equations to represent chemical reactions Demonstrate an ability to write chemical formulae and balance equations
Unit Examination	Examination

Physics: Motion and Electronics

This unit investigates the topics of motion and electronics through experimentation, problem-solving, research and practical activities. Students will investigate ways of measuring and describing motion and examine the behaviour of common electrical components including the analysis and construction of transistor circuits as switches.

In this unit students will explore the following essential questions:

how can we determine the velocity of an object?
do objects require a constant force to keep moving?
how are transistors used as switches?
what is electrical potential difference and why do we need it?
how is the voltage divider effect together with transistors used to control electronic devices?

Assessment

Tasks	Outcomes
Practical experiments Test	Gather data to analyse everyday motions produced by forces, such as measurements of distance and time, speed, force, mass and acceleration and analysis of the motion of a pendulum Recognise that a stationary object, or a moving object with constant motion, has balanced forces acting on it Use Newton’s Second Law to predict how a force affects the movement of an object
Assignment	Describe relationships between force and speed for motor vehicles and passengers
Practical experiments Test	Design and construction of electronic circuits Describe the effect of electronic components in the operation of electronic devices
Unit Examination	Examination