This 27-lesson unit explores what happens when substances react, how to classify different types of reactions, and what factors make reactions faster or slower. From acids and bases to industrial processes and nuclear reactions, you will discover the chemistry hidden in everyday life.
Students describe a range of reaction types including synthesis, decomposition, displacement, neutralisation and combustion.
Students explain the factors that affect the rate of chemical reactions including concentration, surface area, temperature and catalysts.
Students describe nuclear stability, the formation of the elements after the Big Bang, alpha and beta decay, half-life, radioisotope uses, fission and fusion, and the environmental impacts of nuclear reactions (with Working Scientifically SC5-WS-01).
Chemical vs physical changes, signs of reactions, conservation of mass
2Acids and BasesProperties of acids and bases, the pH scale, common examples
3Acids, Bases and Indicators in ActionTesting pH, natural vs synthetic indicators, practical investigation
4Neutralisation ReactionsAcid + base -> salt + water, everyday examples
5Acids, Bases and the EnvironmentAcid rain, ocean acidification, Indigenous knowledge
Cumulative assessment for Lessons 1-5
Building up and breaking down substances
7Displacement and Neutralisation ReactionsMetal reactivity series and replacement reactions
8Combustion and Other Reaction TypesComplete vs incomplete combustion, respiration, photosynthesis
9Writing and Balancing EquationsWord equations and simple symbolic equations
10Energy Changes in ReactionsExothermic vs endothermic, everyday examples
Cumulative assessment for Lessons 6-10
Collision theory and overview of factors
12Concentration and Surface AreaPractical investigations and data collection
13Temperature and CatalystsHow heat and catalysts speed up reactions
14Analysing Reaction Rate DataGraphs, trends, conclusions and evaluation
15Controlling Reactions in Industry and NatureHaber process, enzymes, Australian industry
Cumulative assessment for Lessons 11-15
Carbon cycle, alternative fuels, Indigenous practices
17Chemical Reactions in Everyday LifeCooking, digestion, cleaning, construction
18Investigating Reaction RatesDesigning and conducting practical investigations
19Evidence-Based Argumentation in ChemistryClaim-evidence-reasoning and source evaluation
20Unit Synthesis and Depth Study PreparationConnecting concepts and preparing for investigation
Cumulative assessment for Lessons 16-20
🏆 Unit QuizComprehensive assessment covering all 20 lessons
Protons, neutrons, isotopes and why some nuclei are unstable
22The Big Bang and Formation of the ElementsBig Bang nucleosynthesis and how stars forge the elements
23Radioactive Decay — Alpha and Beta ReactionsWriting and balancing nuclear equations for alpha and beta decay
24Radioactive Half-LifeHalf-life, decay curves and simple half-life calculations
25Using Radioisotopes — Medicine, Industry and the EnvironmentTracers, therapy, sterilisation and environmental monitoring
26Nuclear Fission and FusionMass-to-energy, chain reactions and fusion in stars and reactors
27Nuclear Energy — Benefits, Risks and Environmental ImpactsLife-cycle impacts, raw materials, waste and weighing benefits against risks