MYP 9

Unit 1: What is chemistry?


Requirements

Activities

Students should

  • understand the underlying kinetic theory of matter
  • appreciate the role of chemistry in the understanding of materials and systems.
  • to develop a scientific methodology in investigations.
  • understand the classifications of pure substances and appreciate the need for purification.
Chemistry is ...... The study of everything!

The philosophy is to introduce the fundamental theories of chemistry through experiment wherever possible. It is important that the students understand the concepts involved in experimental methodology.

· The experimental method
· The kinetic theory (theory of atoms)
· Atomic theory
· Law of constant composition
· Law of conservation of matter
· Moles theory


Section 1: The nature of matter

This section deals with the theory of atoms and the kinetic theory of matter.

What is science?

The scientific method

1. Observation
2. Hypothesis
3. Experimentation
4. Support for hypothesis
5. Theory
6. Confirmation (peer)
7. Theory accepted

It must be stressed that ALL of our knowledge comes from experimentation or logical deduction. However, we do not and cannot KNOW anything due to the nature of the universe. All theories are merely supported by evidence until the day they are not. A theory cannot be proved by experiment, but it can be disproved.


Experimentation and instrumentation

The most important (but certainly not the mosty accurate) tools are our own senses, however these cannot be used empirically. They are essential for observation, But become worthless if we cannot communicate our observations in an unambiguous fashion. Communication requires the correct use of scientific vocabulary and is supported by standard measurements.

Experimental concepts and vocabulary

Discussion of measurements, errors (systematic and measurement), instrumental tolerance and reliability, precision and inaccuracy.

Class activity - measure 50cm3 water into a measuring cylinder. weigh by pouring into a beaker on a balance set to zero.
Repeat with 20cm3 water.
Correlate results over the whole class.
Calculate averages.
How accurate are we?
Percentage and absolute errors.
Tolerance of balance = ± 0.005 g (explanation)
Accuracy and reliability.
Effect of repetition


Qualitative observation:

Experiment: Reactions circus

To learn the value of observing and recording observations in a logical manner using appropriate vocabulary. The students will probably not know many of the words they need to adequately describe what they see. (communication skills)

· Observation (description) before
· Observation (description) during
· Observation (description) after a process.

Assessment - Criterion B


States of matter

The logical argument of the Greek philosophers to John Dalton

Activity: Discussion in two bands for and against.

Evidence for the particulate nature of matter

Experiment: Diffusion of KMnO4 in water
Write up

Demo: Measurement of the size of a molecule (oil drop)
This demo may be used to introduce and discuss:
Big and small numbers - significant figures, scientific notation, logarithms.

Write up - Criterion E Processing data (errors and inaccuracies important)

Experiment: Smoke cell
Write up

Demo: Diffusion of HCl and NH3
Write up


Solids, liquids and gases

Animation and discussion: Korean chemistry (I'll explain)
Macroscopic (bulk) properties and microscopic properties

Shape, volume
Forces, distance between particles, motion.

One World - Passive smoking - scientific argument - presentation (poster or powerpoint)

Presentation could focus on the current situation in Spain with bars (under 100m2) and restaurants (with smokers areas) allowing clients to smoke.


Changes of state

Measuring temperature. The absolute scale.

Experiment: Cooling/heating curves - either heating ice or cooling melted naphthalene/wax
Animation: cooling/heating curve

Write up


Pure substances and mixtures

Types of mixtures in terms of states of matter.

Solid - solid
Solid - liquid
Liquid - liquid
Liquid - gas
Gas - gas
Solid - gas

Activity - everyday examples

Blurring of phase boundaries in colloids, gels and emulsions.

Separation techniques

· Distillation
· Filtration
· Decanting

Demo or experiment

Summary

By the end of this unit the students should have a good knowledge of the kinetic theory and understand that this underpins ALL of our knowledge of chemistry.

Unit test - Criterion C


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Resources

solid state

liquid state

gaseous state

vibration in solids

melting solids


 
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Copyright: 2003 Isis Publication