Download Topic 1: Chemical Reactions

Topic 1: Chemical Reactions
Introduction
This introductory topic should contain regular reference to, and observation of, “real-life”
chemistry.
Our world is a chemical world; all materials in that world are chemicals. Chemical reactions are
commonplace everyday occurrences: the burning of gas in a cooker, the rusting of cars, the
hardening of glues, the digestion of food and so on. Reference should also be made to the work of
chemists in developing materials which affect our way of life, although great care needs to be
exercised in widening pupils’ view of Chemistry from the experience in this topic.
An understanding of the nature of chemical reactions should be developed through appropriate
practical work: chemical reactions are identified through changes in appearance and detectable
energy changes and involved the formation of one or more new substances.
The distinction between compounds and mixtures should be made and the concept of solution
introduced in simple terms.
There should be a gradual introduction of the chemical nomenclature of elements and
compounds, and of the symbols for elements.
Topic 1: Chemical Reactions Learning Outcomes
GENERAL LEVEL (Grades 4, 3)
Pupils should be able to:
1. Identify a chemical reaction by a change
in appearance of substance
2. Identify a chemical reaction by a
detectable energy change
3. State that all chemical reactions involve
the formation of one or more new
substances
4. Give examples of chemical reactions
which occur in our day-to-day lives
5. State that everything in the world is made
from about 100 elements
6. State that each element has a name and a
symbol
7. State that compounds are formed when
elements react together
CREDIT LEVEL (Grades 2, 1)
GENERAL LEVEL (Grades 4, 3)
8. State that mixtures occur when two or
more substances come together without
reacting
9. State that a solution is formed when a
solute dissolves in a solvent
10. Apply the general rules:
the compounds with the name ending in
“ide” contain the two elements indicated,
and that the ending “ite” or “ate”
indicates the additional element oxygen.
Symbols, formulae, equations
CREDIT LEVEL (Grades 2, 1)