meriSTEM chemistry

The current state syllabus in Tasmania is different in content and sequence to the Australian Curriculum, however there is much overlap.

These are example schedules to demonstrate the content of the meriSTEM online course as it might map to the Tasmanian curriculum.

Physical Sciences Criterion 8: Chemical reactions and reacting quantities

Criterion 8 Sub-Topic Use meriSTEM Module Use meriSTEM sub-topics Australian Curriculum Chemistry Science Understandings
Chemical reactions Reactions 1. Types of reactions 36
Matter and Elements 1. Matter & terms, 2. Mixtures, 3. Atoms, 4. Ions, 5. Compounds, 16, 17, 18, 25, 26, 30, 33
Quantities (all) 36, 39
Aqueous Solutions and Acidity Solutions and Acidity 1. Concentrations, 2. Yield, 3. Dissolving & solubility, 4. Acids and bases 42, 45, 46, 63, 65, 66, 67

Criterion 6: Principles of thermochemistry, kinetics and equilibrium

Criterion 6 Sub-Topic Use meriSTEM Module Use meriSTEM sub-topics Australian Curriculum Chemistry Science Understandings
Thermochemistry Reactions 2. Energy in chemical reactions, 3.Enthalpy, 4. Heat capacity 36, 37, 71, 72
Kinetics Reaction Rates 1. Reactants, products and rates, 2. Experiments and rates, 3.Rate laws, 4. Reaction energies, 5. Collision theory 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73
Chemical Equilibrium Equilibrium (coming soon) (all) 89 - 96
Acid and bases (coming soon) 1. Introduction to equilibrium, 2. Describing equilibrium in chemical reactions, 3. Equilibrium expression, 4. ICE tables, 5. Solubility product, 7. Reaction quotient, , 9. Le Chatelier's principle, 10. Equilibrium and kinetics 97 - 102

Note. As this course was designed around the Australian Curriculum, currently the course does not include specifically:

  • Use of a calorimeter
  • Hess’ law
  • Limitations of Le Chatelier’s principle
  • Ionic product constant K𝓌

Criterion 7: Properties and reactions of organic and inorganic matter

Criterion 7 Sub-Topic Use meriSTEM Module Use meriSTEM sub-topics Australian Curriculum Chemistry Science Understandings
Gases Intermolecular Forces & Gases 2. Gases (in development) 60
Properties and Structures of Organic Materials Bonds 8. Organic molecules 35
Organic molecules (coming soon) 1. Hydrocarbons , 1.1 Hydrocarbon structures, 1.3 Cyclic hydrocarbons , 2. Isomers, 3. Hydrocarbon nomenclature 4. Functional groups 4.1 Haloalkanes, alcohols & amines 4.2 Carbonyl functional groups, , 4.4 Functional group naming priorities, 5. Properties of hydrocarbons, 5.1 Properties of haloalkanes, 5.2 Properties of alcohols, amines, amides, 5.3 Properties of carbonyl functional groups, 5.4 Properties of esters 6. Biological molecules 6.3 Proteins,7. Polymers 127 - 129
Organic reactions (coming soon) 1. Reactions of organic molecules, 2. Addition reactions of unsaturated hydrocarbons , 3. Substitution reactions, 4. Fuels, 5. Reactions of alcohols, 6. Reactions of esters & aldehydes, 7. Reactions of aldehydes 8. Reactions of acids 10. Reactions of aromatics, 11. Organic chemistry reaction pathways, 12. Synthesis 130
Analytical chemistry (coming soon) 1. Monitoring the environment, 2. Qualitative Inorganic analysis, 3. Quantitative inorganic analysis, 4. Qualitative Organic analysis, 5. Quantitative organic analysis 131 - 138
The Periodic Table Matter and Elements 6. Introduction to light, 7. Atomic secrets in the shadows, 8. Electron configuration, 9. Periodic trends, 10. Isotopes, 11. Analytical chemistry 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 30

Note. As this course was designed around the Australian Curriculum, currently the course does not include specifically:

  • Benzene /aromatic resonance
  • Some functional group properties including polyalcohols vs simple alcohols, esters
  • Amino acid structure
  • Polyacids
  • Equations for the reactions of alcohols with sodium metal and carboxylic acids
  • X-ray crystallography
  • equations for the oxidation of primary alcohols by stronger oxidisers such as acidified permanganate solution
  • equations for the oxidation of aldehydes to produce carboxylic acids
  • understand why aldehydes tend to be less soluble in polar solvents than the alcohols from which they were synthesised

Criterion 8: Application of logical processes to solve quantitative chemical problems

Criterion 8 Sub-Topic Use meriSTEM Module Use meriSTEM sub-topics Australian Curriculum Chemistry Science Understandings
Chemical Stoichiometry Quantities 4. Stoichiometry, 5. Reaction stoichiometry, 6. Limiting reactants, 7. Chemical quantities 24, 36, 39, 63