Topic title: Bonfire Night
Year group: 8
When taught: Autumn term
Overview: In the topic ‘Bonfire Night’, we build on chemistry knowledge from Year 7 to learn more about atoms, why and how they react and to carry out different types of chemical reactions.
What the students targets for this topic?
| I know that atoms are made up of protons, neutrons and electrons |
| I can state the charges of protons, neutrons and electrons |
| I can identify the atomic and mass numbers of elements by looking at the Periodic Table |
| I can work out the number of neutrons in an element |
| I know the names of key elements and their symbols |
| I know atoms can be joined together by chemical bonds to make molecules |
| I know the difference between endothermic and exothermic reactions |
| I can describe the tests for these gases: carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen and chlorine |
| I can state the pH of common acids and alkalis |
| I can use indicators and the pH scale to identify substances as acids or alkalis |
| I know what neutralisation is |
| I can name chemical salts based on the acid used |
| I know what a displacement reaction is |
| I can predict which chemicals will react in a displacement reaction |
| I know the word and symbol equation for combustion |
Why is this important to know?
- This topic introduces the important reaction types that students will need as they progress through the Chemistry syllabus. The keywords learnt in this topic will be used throughout their time at secondary school.
- If students learn the keywords and key facts from this topic, it will benefit them in later years.
- The topic is designed to be engaging with lots of practical work.
- The context helps students explore how wider applications of science work i.e. sting relief medication, handwarmers and welding train tracks.
Where does this link into our past and future learning?
- This topic builds on the Key Stage Two ideas about properties and changes of materials and the Year 7 topic ‘Kitchen Chemistry’. Students will continue to explore the properties of atoms and the differences between physical and chemical changes.
- Students will carry out numerous reactions and learn their expected observations and products. They continue to write word equations for the reactions they complete and are introduced to symbol equations, a fundamental skill which is seen throughout the KS4 Chemistry curriculum.
- The key reactions students learn this year also feature in the GCSE Chemistry course in C5 Chemical changes, C7 Energy changes and C12 Chemical Analysis.
How will we be assessed on this topic?
- There will be an end of unit test in class to formally assess the skills developed. There will be online homework quizzes to help students practice their skills.
What makes a strong piece of work in this topic? What are teachers hoping to see?
- Correct use of key terms in verbal and written communication.
- An understanding of the expected observations and products from different chemical reactions.
- Know how to identify substances using simple chemical tests.
- Safe and sensible practical work, including detailed and neat results tables.
- At the highest level, pupils will be able to predict products of reactions, write equations for these, and discuss their relevance to life outside the classroom.
What key words are there in this topic?
What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic?
- Read more about what makes an acid ‘strong’ or ‘weak’.
- Read more about the Thermite reaction and how this is used to weld train tracks together.
- Read more about how electron structure effects the reactivity of different elements.
- Read more about the applications of neutralisation reactions.
What wider reading can be done on this topic?
Strong and weak acids: click here
The Thermite Reaction: click here
Reactivity of elements: click here
Applications of neutralisation: click here
