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Science · Year 10 · Unit 2

Chemical Reactions

This 27-lesson unit explores what happens when substances react, how to classify different types of reactions, and what factors make reactions faster or slower. From acids and bases to industrial processes and nuclear reactions, you will discover the chemistry hidden in everyday life.

27lessons

6assessments

11-16hstudy

Start Lesson 1 →

Lessons

Block A, Acids, Bases and pH (Lessons 1-5)

Introduction to Chemical Reactions

Chemical vs physical changes, signs of reactions, conservation of mass

Acids and Bases

Properties of acids and bases, the pH scale, common examples

Acids, Bases and Indicators in Action

Testing pH, natural vs synthetic indicators, practical investigation

Neutralisation Reactions

Acid + base → salt + water, everyday examples

Acids, Bases and the Environment

Acid rain, ocean acidification, Indigenous knowledge

Cumulative assessment for Lessons 1-5

Block B, Reaction Types (Lessons 6-10)

Synthesis and Decomposition Reactions

Building up and breaking down substances

Displacement and Neutralisation Reactions

Metal reactivity series and replacement reactions

Combustion and Other Reaction Types

Complete vs incomplete combustion, respiration, photosynthesis

Writing and Balancing Equations

Word equations and simple symbolic equations

Energy Changes in Reactions

Exothermic vs endothermic, everyday examples

Cumulative assessment for Lessons 6-10

Block C, Rate of Reaction (Lessons 11-15)

What Affects Reaction Rate?

Collision theory and overview of factors

Concentration and Surface Area

Practical investigations and data collection

Temperature and Catalysts

How heat and catalysts speed up reactions

Analysing Reaction Rate Data

Graphs, trends, conclusions and evaluation

Controlling Reactions in Industry and Nature

Haber process, enzymes, Australian industry

Cumulative assessment for Lessons 11-15

Block D, Context, Synthesis and Depth Study (Lessons 16-20)

Chemical Reactions and the Environment

Carbon cycle, alternative fuels, Indigenous practices

Chemical Reactions in Everyday Life

Cooking, digestion, cleaning, construction

Investigating Reaction Rates

Designing and conducting practical investigations

Evidence-Based Argumentation in Chemistry

Claim-evidence-reasoning and source evaluation

Unit Synthesis and Depth Study Preparation

Connecting concepts and preparing for investigation

Cumulative assessment for Lessons 16-20

Block E, Nuclear Reactions (Lessons 21-27)

Inside the Atom's Nucleus, Nuclear Stability

Protons, neutrons, isotopes and why some nuclei are unstable

The Big Bang and Formation of the Elements

Big Bang nucleosynthesis and how stars forge the elements

Radioactive Decay, Alpha and Beta Reactions

Writing and balancing nuclear equations for alpha and beta decay

Radioactive Half-Life

Half-life, decay curves and simple half-life calculations

Using Radioisotopes, Medicine, Industry and the Environment

Tracers, therapy, sterilisation and environmental monitoring

Nuclear Fission and Fusion

Mass-to-energy, chain reactions and fusion in stars and reactors

Nuclear Energy, Benefits, Risks and Environmental Impacts

Life-cycle impacts, raw materials, waste and weighing benefits against risks

Cumulative assessment for Lessons 21-27

Comprehensive assessment covering all 27 lessons

Unit Snapshot

27lessons

5checkpoints

1unit quiz

1NESA outcome

Ready to start?

Work through the lessons in order, each one builds on the last.

Start Lesson 1 →