Central Syllabus Outcome:
The purpose of this unit is to expand student understanding of the application of chemical principles and ideas to life beyond the laboratory. Students have the opportunity to explore a range of analytical chemistry techniques, investigate both qualitative and quantitative chemical tests and apply the gathered data in a broad variety of contexts. Students can investigate how chemical principles and techniques can be applied on an industrial scale to help balance the economic, environmental and social factors which impact on some of our most important chemical substances.
Students focus on the identification and analysis of chemicals, which is of immense importance in scientific research, medicine, environmental management, quality control, mining and many other fields.
IQ1. How are the ions present in the environment identified and measured?
Students investigate a range of methods used to identify and measure quantities of chemicals. They investigate and process data involving the identification and quantification of ions present in aqueous solutions. This is particularly important because of the impact of adverse water quality on the environment.
8.1 Analysis of inorganic substances
8.1.1 Monitoring the environment.
8.1.2 Investigating aqueous ions.
8.1.3 Gravimetric analysis and precipitation titrations.
8.1.4 Colorimetry, UV visible spectrophotometry, and AAS
IQ2. How is information about the reactivity and structure of organic compounds obtained?
Students deduce or confirm the structure and identity of organic compounds by interpreting data from qualitative tests of chemical reactivity and determining structural information using proton and carbon 13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
8.2 Analysis of organic substances
8.2a Testing for functional groups.
8.2.2 Analysing organic compounds: NMR, MS and IS.
IQ3. What are the implications for society of chemical synthesis and design?
Chemical synthesis is the process of making a new chemical substance, eg we can synthesise ammonia from its constituent elements; hydrogen and nitrogen, using the Haber Process. In an industrial process, the focus is on scale and economy - the need to produce large quantities while keeping costs manageable. This may mean we need to consider a balance between various factors which may impact on an equilibrium system, cost of materials, disposal of wastes and safety for workers. For any industrial process, you should be able to discuss:
8.3 Chemical synthesis and design
8.3a Designing chemical synthesis processes