TERTIARY & CAREERS PATHWAYS:
Scientist, Engineer, Mechanic, Mathematician, Architect, Pilot
This Unit is highly recommended for students who are interested in studying VCE Physics or Chemistry
In this unit students will explore the chemical world: in particular, matter, chemical reactions, writing chemical formulae, and writing and balancing chemical equations. They will also explore the physical and chemical properties of elements, and chemical compounds and apply this knowledge to understand chemical innovations such as bioplastics, fuel, and nanotechnology.
Students will also explore the language, methods and ideas of Physics: in particular, Newton’s Laws of Motion and how they apply to real-life scenarios, forces, and motion. They will also look at a range of technological advances and innovations and apply their understanding in contexts such as cars and roller coasters.
While completing the unit students will undertake an independent student-led investigation. They will form hypotheses, and design an experiment to test these hypotheses. Students will use a variety of instruments to record and graph data, identifying trends and patterns. The results will be presented as a scientific poster.
Learning Standards:
SCIENCE AS A HUMAN ENDEAVOUR
- advances in technologies have enabled advances in science, while science has contributed to developments in technologies and engineering
SCIENCE UNDERSTANDING
- the model of the atom changed following the discovery of electrons, protons and neutrons; natural radioactive decay results in a change from unstable to stable atoms
- the organisation of the elements in the periodic table is related to the structure and properties of atoms; patterns and trends include the significance of rows and periods, metallic and non-metallic properties, atomic size and reactivity
- chemical reactions are described by the Law of Conservation of Mass and involve the rearrangement of atoms; they can be modelled using a range of representations, including word and simple balanced chemical equations
- chemical reactions include synthesis, decomposition and displacement reactions and can be classified as exothermic or endothermic; reaction rates are affected by factors including temperature, concentration, surface area of solid reactants, and catalysts
- electricity can be generated as alternating current (AC) using magnets (via turbines turned by wind, water, tides or steam that is generated by the combustion of oil, gas or coal or by nuclear energy) or as direct current (DC) using photovoltaic cells or batteries
- the Law of Conservation of Energy can be analysed in systems, including Earth systems, by assessing the efficiency of energy inputs, outputs, transfers and transformations
- wave and particle models can be used to describe energy transfer (conduction, convection and radiation) through different media; waves (electromagnetic and mechanical) have different properties, features (including amplitude, wavelength, frequency and speed) and applications
- Newton’s laws of motion can be used to quantitatively analyse the relationship between force, mass and acceleration of objects
SCIENCE INQUIRY
- investigable questions, reasoned predictions and hypotheses can be used in guiding investigations to test and develop explanatory models and relationships
- valid, reproducible investigations to answer questions and test hypotheses can be planned and conducted, including identifying and controlling for possible sources of error and bias in sampling or in making observations; safe, ethical investigations include undertaking risk assessments and following protocols when accessing cultural sites and artefacts on Country and Place
- data and information can be organised, processed and summarised by selecting and constructing representations including tables, graphs, descriptive statistics, models, symbols, formulas and mathematical relationships
- information and processed data can be analysed and compared to identify and explain qualitative and quantitative patterns, trends, relationships and anomalies
- the validity and reproducibility of investigation methods and the validity of conclusions and claims can be evaluated, including by identifying assumptions, conflicting evidence, biases that may influence observations and conclusions, sources of error and areas of uncertainty
ASSESSMENT
Assessment across the semester will include a range of tasks such as:
- Practical Investigations
- Topic Tests
- Extended Research Task
- Examination
Recommendation:
Year 10 Science- Chemistry and Physics is highly recommended for students who wish to study VCE Physics
Year 10 Science - Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science or Year 10 Science- Chemistry and Physics are highly recommended for students who wish to undertake VCE Chemistry
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