Topic & Major Objective

Subject Content

Knowledge expected

Nature and organisation of matter

States of matter and their dependence on temperature.

Matter can exist in the solid, liquid and gas form and that these three states are interchangeable as a result of changes in temperature.

Matter is made up of elements, compounds and mixtures.

Atomic nature of matter.

The main atomic constituents are protons, neutrons and electrons. An understanding of the relationship between atomic particles, atomic mass and atomic number.

Unstable atoms and radioactivity.

Atoms of some elements are unstable and as result of their instability they break down and release energy in the form of radioactivity. The positive use of radioactivity as an energy source.

Formation of compounds

Elements are able to combine and form compounds by reacting together.

The importance and profusion of the molecules of carbon.

The main organic chemicals, including naturally occurring materials. Candidates should be able to explain polymerisation and the formation of large molecules (e.g. proteins, nucleic acids polysaccharides and synthetic substances).

The great importance of organic compounds

Chemical changes and conservation of matter.

A chemical change takes place when compounds are formed. Elements that combine to form compounds have not been destroyed, but are conserved in another form.

Candidates are expected to be able to use chemical equations in representing chemical change in a qualitative and quantitative manner in order to understand the concept of conservation of matter better.

Important chemical processes.

The different types of chemical processes (combustion, precipitation and neutralisation)

Energy changes accompanying chemical reactions.

Formation and breakdown of compounds by chemical reactions is accompanied by energy changes, which might be exothermic or endothermic.

Acidity and the pH scale.

Chemicals are either acidic, alkaline or neutral. The use of the pH scale to measure the acidity, alkalinity or neutrality of a substance. (The mechanics and actual meaning of the units 1- 14 is not required).

Important compounds

The molecular formulae of the following chemicals: Oxygen gas O_2; Nitrogen gas N₂; Methane CH₄; Sulphur Dioxide SO₂; Nitrogen Dioxide NO₂; Ozone O₃; Silicon Dioxide SiO₂; Water H₂O; Carbon Dioxide CO₂; Glucose C₆H₁₂O₆; Ammonia NH₃; Carbon Dioxide CO₂; Calcium Carbonate CaCO₃; Sodium Chloride NaCl.