11–12Chemistry 11–12 Syllabus (2025)
The new Chemistry 11–12 Syllabus (2025) is to be implemented from 2028 and will replace the Chemistry Stage 6 Syllabus (2017).
2026 and 2027
- Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus
2028, Term 1
- Start teaching the new syllabus for Year 11
- Start implementing new Year 11 school-based assessment requirements
- Continue to teach the Chemistry Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) for Year 12
2028, Term 4
- Start teaching the new syllabus for Year 12
- Start implementing new Year 12 school-based assessment requirements
2029
- First HSC examination for new syllabus
Content
Year 12
- CH-12-04
analyses the structures, production and uses of substances
Simple organic compounds refer only to the homologous series of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, haloalkanes, carboxylic acids and esters specifically addressed in the Organic chemistry focus area.
Relevant Working scientifically outcomes and content must be integrated with each focus area. All the Working scientifically outcomes and content must be addressed by the end of Year 12.
Analyse the structure of simple organic compounds using mass spectrometry data
Interpret mass spectrometry data to qualitatively and quantitatively monitor the presence of pollutants in environmental samples
Describe the use of infrared spectrometry to identify functional groups in simple organic compounds
Describe the composition and origin of petroleum
Explain how fractional distillation is used to refine petroleum and separate its components
Discuss the applications and environmental impacts of using products obtained from refining petroleum
Analyse qualitative infrared spectrometry data from petroleum samples
Construct flow charts to demonstrate the process of obtaining ethene from petroleum to produce chloroethene
Model and compare the formation, structure, properties and uses of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene and polypropylene
Conduct a secondary-source investigation to compare organic resins used by Aboriginal Peoples to modern polymer materials
Evaluate environmental and health impacts of using ethene, chloroethene, polytetrafluoroethylene and polypropylene, and their polymers
Discuss the scientific evidence that a selected scientist used to confirm the structure of organic substances in medicinal and agricultural chemicals
Use chemical shift data to interpret carbon (13C) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra
Use splitting patterns, relative peak areas and chemical shift data to interpret proton (1H) NMR spectra
Interpret mass spectroscopic, infrared spectroscopic, proton (1H) and carbon (13C) NMR spectra data to deduce the structures and structural features of simple organic compounds
Describe the features of a base metal ore
Justify the need to quantify the amount of metal present in base metal ores
Construct flow charts and use chemical equations to demonstrate the extraction and processing of a metal from the base metal ore
Evaluate the environmental, social and economic issues involved in the extraction and processing of a base metal from its ore
Compare atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) to flame tests for elemental analysis
Relate atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and AES to electron configuration
Discuss the process of AAS as a quantitative method used for elemental analysis
Solve problems and perform calculations using AAS and gravimetric data to analyse pollutants in water
Describe redox reactions using the terms oxidant and reductant
Construct half-equations and balanced overall equations to represent redox reactions in galvanic cells
Use the table of standard reduction potentials to calculate cell potential and predict the spontaneity of redox reactions
Conduct a practical investigation to construct and compare the potential of different galvanic cells
Solve problems related to standard reduction potentials and galvanic cells
Conduct a secondary-source investigation to analyse how understanding of redox reactions has impacted battery technology