The HSC Chemistry syllabus, dot point by dot point

What happens when chemical reactions do not go through to completion?

• conduct practical investigations to analyse the reversibility of chemical reactions, for example:… Reversibility, Non-Equilibrium Systems & Entropy
• model static and dynamic equilibrium and analyse the differences between open and closed systems (ACSCH079, ACSCH091) Static vs Dynamic Equilibrium Equilibrium in Context, Analogies & Misconception Deep-Dive
• analyse examples of non-equilibrium systems in terms of the effect of entropy and enthalpy, for example:… Reversibility, Non-Equilibrium Systems & Entropy
• investigate the relationship between collision theory and reaction rate in order to analyse chemical equilibrium reactions (ACSCH070, ACSCH094) Collision Theory Applied to Equilibrium

What factors affect equilibrium and how?

• investigate the effects of temperature, concentration, volume and/or pressure on a system at equilibrium and explain how Le Chatelier’s principle can be used to predict such effects, for example:… Le Chatelier’s Principle: Concentration & Temperature Le Chatelier's Principle: Pressure, Volume & Catalysts beyond ★ Consolidation, LCP Mastery
• explain the overall observations about equilibrium in terms of the collision theory (ACSCH094) Industrial Applications of Equilibrium & Collision Theory beyond
• examine how activation energy and heat of reaction affect the position of equilibrium Le Chatelier's Principle: Pressure, Volume & Catalysts beyond

How can the position of equilibrium be described and what does the equilibrium constant represent?

• deduce the equilibrium expression (in terms of Keq) for homogeneous reactions occurring in solution (ACSCH079, ACSCH096) Writing Keq Expressions
• perform calculations to find the value of Keq and concentrations of substances within an equilibrium system, and use these values to make predictions on the direction in which a reaction may proceed (ACSCH096) Calculating Keq & ICE Tables ★ Consolidation, ICE Table Mastery Reaction Quotient Q
• qualitatively analyse the effect of temperature on the value of Keq (ACSCH093) Temperature & Keq, Colourimetry beyond
• conduct an investigation to determine Keq of a chemical equilibrium system, for example:… Temperature & Keq, Colourimetry beyond
• explore the use of Keq for different types of chemical reactions, including but not limited to:… Ka and Kb as Equilibrium Constants beyond

How does solubility relate to chemical equilibrium?

• describe and analyse the processes involved in the dissolution of ionic compounds in water Dissolution Equilibria
• investigate the use of solubility equilibria by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples when removing toxicity from foods, for example:… Dissolution Equilibria
• conduct an investigation to determine solubility rules, and predict and analyse the composition of substances when two ionic solutions are mixed, for example:… Solubility Rules & Precipitation
• derive equilibrium expressions for saturated solutions in terms of Ksp and calculate the solubility of an ionic substance from its Ksp value Solubility Product Ksp
• predict the formation of a precipitate given the standard reference values for Ksp Qsp, Precipitation & Common Ion Effect

What is an acid and what is a base?

• investigate the correct IUPAC nomenclature and properties of common inorganic acids and bases (ACSCH067) Nomenclature, Indicators & Predicting Acid Reactions
• conduct an investigation to demonstrate the preparation and use of indicators as illustrators of the characteristics and properties of acids and bases and their reversible reactions (ACSCH101) Nomenclature, Indicators & Predicting Acid Reactions
• predict the products of acid reactions and write balanced equations to represent:… Nomenclature, Indicators & Predicting Acid Reactions
• investigate applications of neutralisation reactions in everyday life and industrial processes Neutralisation in Everyday Life & Industry
• conduct a practical investigation to measure the enthalpy of neutralisation (ACSCH093) Enthalpy of Neutralisation, Practical & Theory Enthalpy of Neutralisation, Comparing Strong & Weak
• explore the changes in definitions and models of an acid and a base over time to explain the limitations of each model, including but not limited to:… Acid-Base Models, Arrhenius to Brønsted-Lowry beyond

What is the role of water in solutions of acids and bases?

• conduct a practical investigation to measure the pH of a range of acids and bases pH and pOH, Calculations for Strong Acids & Bases
• calculate pH, pOH, hydrogen ion concentration ([H+]) and hydroxide ion concentration ([OH–]) for a range of solutions (ACSCH102) pH and pOH, Calculations for Strong Acids & Bases pH of Weak Acids & Bases, Ka, Kb & ICE Tables beyond ★ IQ2 Mastery, pH Calculations, Mixing & Method Selection beyond
• conduct an investigation to demonstrate the use of pH to indicate the differences between the strength of acids and bases (ACSCH102) Strong vs Weak Acids & Bases, The Critical Distinction
• write ionic equations to represent the dissociation of acids and bases in water, conjugate acid/base pairs in solution and amphiprotic nature of some salts, for example:… Conjugate Pairs, Amphiprotic Substances & Water's Role
• construct models and/or animations to communicate the differences between strong, weak, concentrated and dilute acids and bases (ACSCH099) Strong vs Weak Acids & Bases, The Critical Distinction ★ Strong/Weak Mastery, Consolidation
• calculate the pH of the resultant solution when solutions of acids and/or bases are diluted or mixed ★ IQ2 Mastery, pH Calculations, Mixing & Method Selection beyond

How are solutions of acids and bases analysed?

• conduct practical investigations to analyse the concentration of an unknown acid or base by titration Titration, Standard Solutions, Technique & Calculations Titration & Indicator Mastery Back Titration & Conductometric Titration
• investigate titration curves and conductivity graphs to analyse data to indicate characteristic reaction profiles, for example:… Indicators, Mechanism & Selecting the Right One Titration Curves, Interpreting & Analysing All Four Types beyond Titration & Indicator Mastery
• model neutralisation of strong and weak acids and bases using a variety of media Neutralisation in Everyday Life & Industry
• calculate and apply the dissociation constant (Ka) and pKa (pKa = -log10 (Ka)) to determine the difference between strong and weak acids (ACSCH098) Ka, pKa & Comparing Acid Strengths
• explore acid/base analysis techniques that are applied:… Acid/Base Analysis Techniques, Industrial & Digital
• conduct a chemical analysis of a common household substance for its acidity or basicity (ACSCH080) , for example:… No dedicated lesson yet — covered in your school course notes.
• conduct a practical investigation to prepare a buffer and demonstrate its properties (ACSCH080) Buffers, Mechanism, Calculations & Natural Systems beyond
• describe the importance of buffers in natural systems (ACSCH098, ACSCH102) Buffers, Mechanism, Calculations & Natural Systems beyond

How do we systematically name organic chemical compounds?

• investigate the nomenclature of organic chemicals, up to C8, using IUPAC conventions, including simple methyl and ethyl branched chains, including: (ACSCH127) Introduction to Organic Chemistry & IUPAC Nomenclature I IUPAC Nomenclature II, Functional Group Classes & Isomers
• explore and distinguish the different types of structural isomers, including saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, including: (ACSCH035) IUPAC Nomenclature II, Functional Group Classes & Isomers

How can hydrocarbons be classified based on their structure and reactivity?

• construct models, identify the functional group, and write structural and molecular formulae for homologous series of organic chemical compounds, up to C8 (ACSCH035) :… Hydrocarbons, Structure, Homologous Series & Physical Properties Hydrocarbon Structure & Bonding beyond
• conduct an investigation to compare the properties of organic chemical compounds within a homologous series, and explain these differences in terms of bonding (ACSCH035) No dedicated lesson yet — covered in your school course notes.
• analyse the shape of molecules formed between carbon atoms when a single, double or triple bond is formed between them Hydrocarbon Structure & Bonding beyond
• explain the properties within and between the homologous series of alkanes with reference to the intermolecular and intramolecular bonding present Hydrocarbons, Structure, Homologous Series & Physical Properties
• describe the procedures required to safely handle and dispose of organic substances (ACSCH075) Introduction to Organic Chemistry & IUPAC Nomenclature I
• examine the environmental, economic and sociocultural implications of obtaining and using hydrocarbons from the Earth Hydrocarbon Reactions, Combustion, Substitution, Addition & Polymerisation beyond Combustion of Alcohols & Comparison with Fossil Fuels

What are the products of reactions of hydrocarbons and how do they react?

• investigate, write equations and construct models to represent the reactions of unsaturated hydrocarbons when added to a range of chemicals, including but not limited to:… Hydrocarbon Reactions, Combustion, Substitution, Addition & Polymerisation beyond Reactions of Alkenes, Hydrogenation, Halogenation, Hydrohalogenation & Hydration beyond Reactions of Alkynes & Alkanes, Hydration, Substitution & Combustion beyond Hydrocarbon Reactions Mastery, Conditions, Products & Spot the Error ★ Organic Reactions Mastery (CONSOLIDATION)
• investigate, write equations and construct models to represent the reactions of saturated hydrocarbons when substituted with halogens Hydrocarbon Reactions, Combustion, Substitution, Addition & Polymerisation beyond Reactions of Alkynes & Alkanes, Hydration, Substitution & Combustion beyond Hydrocarbon Reactions Mastery, Conditions, Products & Spot the Error

How can alcohols be produced and what are their properties?

• investigate the structural formulae, properties and functional group including:… Structure & Properties of Alcohols, Primary, Secondary, Tertiary & IMF Carboxylic Acids, Structure, Properties & Reactions Amines & Amides, Structure, Properties & Reactions
• explain the properties within and between the homologous series of alcohols with reference to the intermolecular and intramolecular bonding present Structure & Properties of Alcohols, Primary, Secondary, Tertiary & IMF
• conduct a practical investigation to measure and reliably compare the enthalpy of combustion for a range of alcohols Combustion of Alcohols & Comparison with Fossil Fuels
• write equations, state conditions and predict products to represent the reactions of alcohols, including but not limited to (ACSCH128, ACSCH136):… Reactions of Alcohols, Dehydration, Substitution & Oxidation Organic Reaction Pathways, Synthesis & Multi-Step Problems
• investigate the production of alcohols, including:… Production of Alcohols, Hydration, Substitution & Fermentation
• investigate the products of the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols Reactions of Alcohols, Dehydration, Substitution & Oxidation Aldehydes & Ketones, Structure, Properties & Tests beyond
• compare and contrast fuels from organic sources to biofuels, including ethanol Combustion of Alcohols & Comparison with Fossil Fuels

What are the properties of organic acids and bases?

• investigate the structural formulae, properties and functional group including:… Structure & Properties of Alcohols, Primary, Secondary, Tertiary & IMF Carboxylic Acids, Structure, Properties & Reactions Amines & Amides, Structure, Properties & Reactions
• explain the properties within and between the homologous series of carboxylic acids amines and amides with reference to the intermolecular and intramolecular bonding present Carboxylic Acids, Structure, Properties & Reactions Amines & Amides, Structure, Properties & Reactions Organic Acids & Bases, pKa, Strength & Reactions
• investigate the production, in a school laboratory, of simple esters Esters, Structure, Naming & Esterification
• investigate the differences between an organic acid and organic base Organic Acids & Bases, pKa, Strength & Reactions
• investigate the structure and action of soaps and detergents Soaps, Detergents & Saponification

What are the properties and uses of polymers?

• model and compare the structure, properties and uses of addition polymers of ethylene and related monomers, for example:… Addition Polymers beyond Polymers, Properties, Applications & Environmental Impact beyond
• model and compare the structure, properties and uses of condensation polymers, for example:… Condensation Polymers Polymers, Properties, Applications & Environmental Impact beyond

How are the ions present in the environment identified and measured?

• analyse the need for monitoring the environment Water Quality Parameters & Standards Monitoring Dissolved Oxygen & BOD beyond Nutrient Pollution & Eutrophication Water Treatment Processes beyond
• conduct qualitative investigations – using flame tests, precipitation and complexation reactions as appropriate – to test for the presence in aqueous solution of the following ions:… Precipitation Reactions & Qualitative Analysis
• conduct investigations and/or process data involving:… Titration for Quantitative Analysis beyond Gravimetric Analysis beyond Chromatography, TLC, Column & HPLC beyond Monitoring Dissolved Oxygen & BOD beyond
• conduct investigations and/or process data to determine the concentration of coloured species and/or metal ions in aqueous solution, including but not limited to, the use of:… Spectroscopic Analysis, UV-Vis & AAS Heavy Metal Contamination & Analysis

How is information about the reactivity and structure of organic compounds obtained?

• conduct qualitative investigations to test for the presence in organic molecules of the following functional groups:… Chemical Tests for Functional Groups
• investigate the processes used to analyse the structure of simple organic compounds addressed in the course, including but not limited to:… Mass Spectrometry beyond Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy beyond Proton & Carbon-13 NMR Spectroscopy Structure Determination

What are the implications for society of chemical synthesis and design?

• evaluate the factors that need to be considered when designing a chemical synthesis process, including but not limited to:… Chemical Synthesis beyond