Science / Year 10 / Science understanding / Chemical sciences

Curriculum content descriptions

explain how the structure and properties of atoms relate to the organisation of the elements in the periodic table (AC9S10U06)

Elaborations
  • examining how elements are organised in the periodic table and analysing patterns to discern that elements in the same group of the periodic table have similar properties
  • investigating the physical properties of some metals and non-metals
  • using the Bohr model of the atom to describe the structure of atoms in terms of electron shells and relating this to their properties and position in the periodic table
  • deducing that repeating patterns of the periodic table reflect patterns of electrons in outer electron shells
  • conducting flame tests for a selection of elements and examining emission spectra
  • examining how the development of the spectroscope led to further development of the model of the atom
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
ScOT terms

Atoms,  Properties of matter,  Chemical elements

Interactive

Build an atom

This interactive simulation explores atomic structure, elements and the periodic table. In a series of simulations students use the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons to draw a model of the atom, identify the element, and determine the mass and charge; predict how addition or subtraction of a proton, neutron, or ...

Interactive

Isotopes and Atomic Mass

This interactive simulation explores isotopes and how the average atomic mass of an element changes given a change in the abundance of its isotopes. In a series of simulations students explore the stability of various isotopes and investigate how this relates to the proportions of isotopes in naturally occurring elements. ...

Interactive

Build a Nucleus

This interactive simulation explores isotopes and nuclear decay. In a series of simulations students explore how the changing the number of neutrons or protons affects the atomic number and isotope; investigate and predict how the shell model depiction of an isotope based on the isotope symbol or name; and predict the resulting ...

Interactive

The elements: fill the gaps

Use the properties of known elements to classify others. Position elements in the periodic table. Check properties such as atomic number, boiling point and reactivity. Use the patterns of properties within the periodic table to identify where other elements belong. This learning object is the final in a series of five objects.

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Animal Health: the science of healthy animals

This study guide considers the science behind breeding, genetics, health and animal welfare in the cattle and sheep industries - keeping animals free of disease and parasites, improving biodiversity and protecting against feral animals. A range of articles and student activities explores how farmers and scientists are working ...

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Greener farming: protecting the environment

This study guide examines ways Australian cattle and sheep farmers are monitoring and researching how greenhouse gas emissions are being produced by farms and steps farmers use to reduce them. This includes selective breeding programs to produce cattle and sheep whose digestive processes emit less methane, research into ...

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The price of peak fuel

This ABC In Depth feature article discusses the projections of how long will our energy resources will last given that our need for fossil fuels is insatiable, but coal, oil, gas and uranium reserves are finite and some may even be in decline. This article is comprehensive, but it is dated at 2008.

Audio

Green glow of radiation

Coming into contact with a large dose of radiation is known to be hazardous. But will it make you light up like a car dashboard at night? Some anecdotes that will engage the students to learn about radioactivity while dispelling a few myths.

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Pipe dreams

This ABC In Depth feature article is a case study shows how the impacts of human activities including irrigation on the environment and agriculture cannot always be predicted. The Ord River has long been touted as a possible northern food bowl. But nearly four decades after the irrigation scheme was created, why has it ...

Audio

Chemicals on the Great Barrier Reef

This program deals with a range of human impacts on the Great Barrier Reef. Herbicides from land runoff have been traced to algae and sea grasses in river mouths and coastal zones along the Great Barrier Reef. Effects include retardation of photosynthesis and growth of corals. Other pressures on the reef include high water ...

Video

Atoms of Fire: Atoms and organic compounds

Can you imagine someone who lived over 2400 years ago saying that all matter is made up of atoms? Democritus, an ancient Greek, did. Explore the history of this scientific idea with chemist Amanda Tilbury. Hear how Swedish scientist Jöns Berzelius postulated much later that only living tissue could make an organic compound ...

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Researchers find grain's memory gene

This brief ABC News in Science article from 2009 gives an excellent example of responses of plants to temperature change and current Australian science. Plants use a genetic memory to recognise when it is spring and can even count the number of cold days.

Interactive

Why is the ozone hole bigger in the less polluted southern hemisphere?

This article provides an excellent model of a scientific explanation. It addresses the question "if the atmosphere in the northern hemisphere is much more polluted than it is in the southern hemisphere, why is there an ozone hole in the south and not in the north?"

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Channel country

This ABC In Depth feature article is a case study provides a useful contrast to the irrigation developed in the Ord River. Over ten years ago Cooper Creek escaped large-scale irrigation when scientists and graziers banded together to protest the plan. But has time and more research borne out that decision? This resource ...

Interactive

Predicting earthquakes: are we there yet?

Ask and expert' ABC article exemplifies some creative approaches of scientists to the significant problem of predicting earthquakes. The science behind the various methods is outlined, their successes and failures and problems for possible future developments.

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Low-carb cars

This ABC In Depth feature article explores the electric car as an alternative to petrol and diesel vehicles, with a brief reference to hydrogen powered cars. This article is comprehensive, but it is dated at 2008.

Video

Catalyst: When does life begin?

The use of embryonic stem cells for medical research is a hotly debated ethical issue, with much of the discussion focusing on when human life begins. Listen to the views both of scientists and of some people from several faith traditions. In a major stem-cell breakthrough, scientists have discovered a new type of stem ...

Video

Catalyst: Nuclear fusion future

Visit the world's largest nuclear fusion reactor, which uses the same process as the Sun to produce energy. Look at the new advances in fusion technology which mean, for the first time, a fusion reactor should now be able to produce more energy than it consumes. It offers a future alternative energy source, but is not without ...

Interactive

The greenhouse effect

This interactive simulation explores the effect of greenhouse gases and clouds on sunlight, infrared radiation, and surface temperature of the Earth. In a series of simulations students explore why greenhouse gases affect the temperature; they compare and contrast the behaviour of sunlight and infrared radiation; investigate ...

Image

Gold nugget

This is a gold nugget (approximately 3.4 cm x 2.2 cm), which was probably found in about 1865 on a goldfield in Otago (in the southern South Island of New Zealand).