VCE Units 3 & 4 - Chemistry
VCE Units 3 & 4 - Chemistry
Overview
In this unit students investigate the chemical production of energy and materials. They explore how innovation, design and sustainability principles and concepts can be applied to produce energy and materials while minimising possible harmful effects of production on human health and the environment.
Unit 3: How can design and innovation help to optimise chemical processes?
Students analyse and compare different fuels as energy sources for society, with reference to the energy transformations and chemical reactions involved, energy efficiencies, environmental impacts, and potential applications. Students conduct practical investigations involving thermochemistry, redox reactions, electrochemical cells, reaction rates and equilibrium systems.
Areas of Study
- What are the current and future options for supplying energy? – Analysing and comparing a range of fossil fuels and biofuels as energy sources for society, and carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids as fuel sources for the body and exploring how energy can be sustainably produced from chemicals to meet the needs of society while minimising negative impacts on the environment.
- How can the rate and yield of chemical reactions be optimised? – Explore the factors that affect the rate and yield of equilibrium and electrolytic reactions involved in producing important materials for society, and the sustainability of different options for producing useful materials for society.
Unit 4: How are carbon-based compounds designed for purpose?
In this unit students investigate the structures and reactions of carbon-based organic compounds, including considering how green chemistry principles are applied in the production of synthetic organic compounds, and look at the metabolism of food and the action of medicines in the body.
Areas of Study
- How are organic compounds categorised and synthesised? Focus on the structure, naming, properties, and reactions of organic compounds, including the chemical reactions associated with the metabolism of food. They explore how synthetic organic compounds can be produced more sustainably for use in society.
- How are organic compounds analysed and used? – Focus on laboratory and instrumental analyses of organic compounds, and the function of some organic compounds as medicines. Students explain how some medicines that bind to the active sites of enzymes function by inhibiting the enzymes’ mode of action.
- How is scientific inquiry used to investigate the sustainable production of energy and/or materials? – Designed or adapted practical investigation related to Unit 3 and/or Unit 4.
Forms of Assessment
- Experimental Investigations
- Infographics
- Reflective annotations of a practical logbook
- Problem solving involving chemical concepts, skills, and/or issues
- Scientific poster
- Topic Tests
- Research Assignment
- End of Unit Exams
Prerequisites and Corequisites
Unit 1 & 2 Chemistry preferred