Science / Year 9 / Science understanding / Chemical sciences

Curriculum content descriptions

model the rearrangement of atoms in chemical reactions using a range of representations, including word and simple balanced chemical equations, and use these to demonstrate the law of conservation of mass (AC9S9U07)

Elaborations
  • identifying reactants and products in chemical reactions
  • using models and representations to show the rearrangement of atoms in chemical reactions
  • investigating chemical reactions in closed and open systems and relating data obtained to the law of conservation of mass
  • writing symbolic equations that are easy to balance and explaining, using the law of conservation of mass, and atoms, the rationale for balancing chemical equations
  • investigating why most elements are not found in their elemental state and processes which are used to obtain the element
  • predicting how ideas of green chemistry such as minimising the amount of unusable waste products, energy use and using more environmentally friendly chemical processes will affect the environment
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
ScOT terms

Conservation of matter,  Chemical equations

Video

Elliot and the Surfing Scientist: Carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguisher

Different types of chemical reactions are used in many everyday products. Watch this clip to see how two common household substances can be combined to create an 'Invisible Candle Extinguisher'.

Video

Elliot and the Surfing Scientist: Chemical catalysts

Have you ever heard of a catalyst? Watch as the Surfing Scientist, Ruben Meerman, demonstrates the power of a catalyst. He adds one to just two other ingredients to create a chemical reaction with spectacular foaming results - just like elephant toothpaste!

Interactive

Build a Molecule

This interactive simulation challenges students to build molecular structures given a set of atoms. In a series of simulations students build simple molecules from atoms; construct molecules from the chemical formula and experiment with combining atoms to build larger molecules. The resource does not require registration ...

Interactive

Balancing Chemical Equations

This interactive simulation explores balancing chemical equations. In a series of simulations students balance chemical equations; explore how the number of atoms of each element is conserved in a chemical reaction and translate from symbolic to molecular representations of matter. The resource does not require registration ...

Text

Investigating Ocean Acidification

In this activity students investigate how ocean acidification may affect organisms with shells or exoskeletons made of calcium carbonate, such as oysters, clams, sea snails and coral. Students develop and conduct an experiment to test the effect of carbonated water on calcium carbonate and then analyse the results and produce ...

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Work sample Year 9 Science: Radioactivity

This work sample demonstrates evidence of student learning in relation to aspects of the achievement standards for Year 9 Science. The primary purpose for the work sample is to demonstrate the standard, so the focus is on what is evident in the sample not how it was created. The sample is an authentic representation of ...

Online

Climate change – creating critical thinkers … not sceptics!

Climate change was once just part of the science domain, but today it is a political juggernaut! This unit explores the science of climate change as a scientific concept and a political issue. The unit includes PDF resources and video quiz challenges for teachers and student and the library section provides extra resources ...

Interactive

Exploring atoms: atom structure

See how scientists such as Ernest Rutherford have investigated the structure of atoms. Explore possible models. Fire charged particles at atoms and find which model best fits the results. This learning object is one in a series of six objects. Three of the objects are also packaged as a combined learning object.

Video

A mini chemistry set in a stick

Do you know how glowsticks work? Watch this clip and discover the chemical reaction that takes place when you snap a glowstick and release the reactants. Find out about chemiluminescence in nature, when scientists first created glowing sticks and the chemical equation that describes the reaction. Can you guess which glowstick ...

Audio

Water-powered engine theories need hosing down

This ABC article by Dr Karl addresses the question: will we one day be able to power cars with water? The chemical reactions involved in the formation and decomposition of water are described. Energy transformations are explained. A very useful resource to get students thinking.

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 ...

Video

Elliot and the Surfing Scientist: Hydrogen and its properties

Imagine the possibilities if we could turn the most abundant element in the universe into a source of fuel. Watch as the Surfing Scientist, Ruben Meerman, investigates the properties of hydrogen and then demonstrates its potential as a fuel when he sets fire to hydrogen-filled soap bubbles.

Video

Could you make a unicorn by crossing DNA?

Good question! Find out whether this is possible by watching as biologist at MIT, Dr Sera Thornton explains. What is a genome? And why do genomes need to be decoded? If the rhino genome was successfully decoded and the part that described the rhino horn was isolated, what would the process be for creating a unicorn?

Online

Green packaging lesson

This lesson plan engages students in finding ways to reduce plastic waste in food packaging. Students investigate problems created by plastic waste then observe ways these issues are being addressed. They design new packaging for food items that currently produce excessive waste then test their designs objectively. The ...

Video

All about engines

What does 'horsepower' really mean? And how do engines work? Join Luke and Abhi from MIT to find out! As Abhi explains, engines produce power by forcing a mixture of fuel and air into a tight space and then burning it. Piston engines and turbine engines do this in similar, yet different ways. After watching this video, ...

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 ...

Video

Four Corners: Fire management strategies

What role do fire-behaviour specialists and ecologists have in fire management? Watch this clip to find out about issues relating to fire management in Australia, in particular prescribed burning.

Interactive

Cool colour

This is a lesson plan, complete with instructions, materials list, worksheets and photographs of the expected results from the ABC's surfing scientist. The students are encouraged to participate in a first-hand science activity using sugar and colour-coated chocolate lollies.

Video

Atoms of Fire: What makes salt and sugar so different?

Have you ever accidentally sprinkled sugar on your dinner or spooned salt into your coffee? Those white crystals might look the same but they taste very different because they are made of different kinds of atoms bonded in different ways. Discover how chemists identify what kinds of atoms a compound is made of, then find ...

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Coal seam gas

This fact sheet provides information about how coal seam gas or methane is extracted and used as an energy source. It describes several coal seam gas operations in the Bowen and Surat Basins in Queensland. Several photographs and a map of projects in the Surat Basin are also included.