Elements and Performance Criteria
- Demonstrate knowledge of basic chemical concepts relevant to metallurgical processes
- The structure of atoms is described including sub-atomic particles, charge, atomic number, mass number, and valency .
- The properties of elements is determined from the periodic table of elements.
- The three states of matter are described in terms of shape, volume, and compression.
- Boyles and Charles laws are used to determine the relationship between volume, temperature, and pressure for a gas.
- Elements, compounds and mixtures are defined and examples given
- Chemical formulae are used
- The difference between organic and inorganic compounds is described
- Ionic, covalent, and metallic bonding are described.
- The relationship between temperature and the kinetic energy of particles is identified
- The concepts of latent and sensible heat are described.
- Contrast the physical properties of crystalline solids.
- Define the key chemical properties of metals.
- Define the key chemical properties of acids and bases.
- Definitions of acids and bases are described.
- The pH scale is described and applied
- The relationship between an acid and its conjugate base and a base and its conjugate acid is described
- A range of salts which form acidic, basic or neutral solutions are identified and their acidic, neutral or basic nature explained
- Strong and weak acids and bases are defined and identified.
- Analyse chemical reactions
- Chemical reactions are described using appropriate balanced chemical equations
- Chemical reactions between elements and compounds are explained in terms of atomic structures and periodicity
- The heat of reaction in chemical reactions is determined.
- Factors affecting reaction rate are explained including concentration, surface area, pressure, temperature and catalysis
- The stoichiometry of a reaction is used to determine amounts of reactants consumed/products made