11–12Chemistry 11–12 Syllabus (2025)

Use the physical characteristics of the components in homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures to explain how they can be separated

Discuss Aboriginal methods of separating mixtures by extracting dyes from plants and using woven baskets for filtration

Conduct a laboratory experiment to determine the percentage composition of a mixture by mass

Use the element symbol, atomic number and mass number from the periodic table to construct models of atoms and illustrate the particles present

Describe the distribution of mass and charge in an atom

Compare the number of protons and neutrons in various isotopes of an element

Calculate the relative atomic mass from isotopic composition

Use examples to explain why isotopes have similar chemical properties but different densities

Relate Aboriginal Knowledge of sickness Country to the presence of radioactive material

Identify naturally occurring radioisotopes that undergo nuclear reactions and emit radiation, resulting in background radiation

Describe the mass and charge properties of alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (γ) radiations

Construct balanced nuclear equations for nuclear decay and nuclear fission

Explain how the emitted radiation type and half-life determine the use of natural and human-made radioisotopes

Conduct a secondary-source investigation to justify the use of a selected radioisotope in medicine, industry or environmental monitoring

Explain the contributions of selected scientists to society’s understanding of the atom

Compare the energy of electrons in discrete energy levels, sublevels and orbitals

Relate the electron configuration of an element to its position on the periodic table

Conduct a laboratory experiment to determine the flame colours produced by heated metal ion solutions

Relate flame tests to emission spectroscopy

Explain the colours emitted in flame tests in relation to changes in electron energy

Describe a use of emission spectroscopy to qualitatively analyse mixtures in industry and medicine

Distinguish between the periods, groups and blocks in the periodic table

Determine the effective charge of an ion from the electron configuration and atomic number

Conduct a secondary-source investigation to collect, tabulate and plot data on atomic radii, ionic radii, first ionisation energy and electronegativity of elements

Interpret data to explain the trends in atomic radii, ionic radii, first ionisation energy and electronegativity of elements

Predict the features of atoms based on their position in the periodic table

Apply the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) nomenclature to identify inorganic substances

Explain metallic bonding in terms of electrostatic attraction

Use models to demonstrate the features of metallic bonding and lattice formation

Analyse the relationship between metallic bonding and the melting point, boiling point and electrical conductivity of metallic elements

Explain the role of electronegativity in determining the ionic or covalent nature of bonds between atoms

Predict the formation of metallic and non-metallic ions using the periodic table

Explain the arrangement of ions in ionic lattices

Conduct a secondary-source investigation to explain the trends in melting points within and between group 1 and group 2 chlorides

Interpret representations to explain the formation of covalent bonds in discrete molecules and covalent network structures

Construct electron dot diagrams for discrete molecules and simple polyatomic ions

Relate electronegativity to the polarity of covalent bonds

Predict the molecular geometry and polarity of covalent molecules using electron dot structures, valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory and electronegativity

Relate the features of dispersion, dipole–dipole and hydrogen bonding to intermolecular forces

Use diagrams to illustrate the intermolecular forces between molecules

Account for the strength of intermolecular forces, ionic bonds, covalent bonds and metallic bonds

Explain the expected physical properties of common substances based on the type of chemical bonding present

Conduct a practical investigation to determine the bonding type present in a variety of substances based on their properties

Evaluate how models are used to illustrate the key characteristics of ionic, covalent and metallic compounds

Conduct a secondary-source investigation to explain the differences in melting point, electrical conductivity and hardness of carbon allotropes