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Chemical world Year 9: ATOMS AND THE PERIODIC TABLE
Year 9 term 1
Glossaries
Arranging the elements in the periodic table
Family groupings in periodic tables
Electrons and the periodic table ( additional)
How has our understanding of atoms changed over time?
CW1: Scientific understanding changes and is refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community.
1.Outline historical developments of the atomic theory to demonstrate how models and theories have been contested and refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community
- In search of giants, The building blocks of matter ( Prof Brian Cox)
- TED lesson: The 2,400-year search for the atom – Theresa Doud
How do we know what matter is made of? The quest for the atom has been a long one, beginning 2,400 years ago with the work of a Greek philosopher and later continued by a Quaker and a few Nobel Prize-winning scientists. Theresa Doud details the history of atomic theory. - Interactive activity the hepls students simulate the tests used by scientists to develop the modern model of the atom.
Have you ever seen an atom?
What are atoms made up of and how can their structure be described?
- Identify that all matter is made of atoms which are composed of protons, neutrons and electrons
- Describe the structure of atoms in terms of the nucleus, protons, neutrons and electrons
Atom Builder interactive Could you assemble a model of an atom (one of the first 10 elements) from protons, neutrons, and electrons? Along the way, you’ll explore subatomic particles and how they combine to form atoms. You will also compare two ways of modelling atoms. Learn about isotopes (different forms of the same chemical element). Use nuclear symbols to represent some of them. You can also try the atom bingo builder game.
How do we use elements that possess radioactivity?
An excellent comprehensive resource of radioactive elements is from ANSTO
- Identify that natural radioactivity arises from the decay of nuclei in atoms, releasing particles and energy.
- The Genius of Marie Curie a Ted-Ed lesson
Marie Skłodowska Curie’s revolutionary research laid the groundwork for our understanding of physics and chemistry, blazing trails in oncology, technology, medicine, and nuclear physics, to name a few. But what did she actually do? Shohini Ghose expounds on some of Marie Skłodowska Curie’s most revolutionary discoveries.
- What are atoms and isotopes? A video by Veritasium
- Radioactivity and radioisotopes information and definitions.
- TED lesson: Radioactivity: Expect the unexpected – Steve Weatherell
What are some issues with the use of radioactive materials?
- Evaluate the benefits and problems associated with medical and industrial uses of nuclear energy.
- Fusion v Fission visual regarding energy generation
- Benefits of Nuclear science and its applications
- TED lesson: Is radiation dangerous? – Matt Anticole.
When we hear the word radiation, it’s tempting to picture huge explosions and frightening mutations. But that’s not the full story — radiation also applies to rainbows and a doctor examining an X-ray. So what is it, really, and how much should we worry about its effects? Matt Anticole describes the different types of radiation.
- Nuclear energy Nuclear energy information from National Geographic
- ABC splash nuclear energy search with various links and information
Additional content is not prerequisite knowledge for following stages, but may be used to broaden and deepen students’ skills, knowledge, and understanding in Stage 5.
- research the development of ideas about the nature of radioactivity


How are elements organised in the periodic table?
CW2: The atomic structure and properties of elements are used to organise them in the Periodic Table.
Here is a link to an interactive periodic table with information and facts about every element. There are many others as well.
How are atoms and elements represented in the periodic table?
- Identify the atom as the smallest unit of an element and that it can be represented by a symbol
- What makes one atom different from another? Compare the amounts of protons, neutrons, and electrons in atoms.
- How are elements organised in the periodic table?
- The periodic table of elements by Live Science
- Periodic table video library from ted ed
How can the periodic table be used to predict some properties of elements?
- How is the placement of elements in the periodic table related to their properties?
- Predict, using the Periodic Table, the properties of some common elements
- Infographics on groups in the periodic table and other amazing facts
- BBC bitesize periodic table groups fundamentals
- Properties of alkali, alkaline earth and transition metals. Halogens and noble gases. A tutorial video by Khan Academy.
- Group one reacts with water video
- Group two reacts with water video
-
Fluorine reactions / Halogens group 17(7) of the periodic table video
- semiconductors– video on semiconductors and their uses and applications.
Valencies and ions
Click on this link to see a periodic table with common ionic charges. Note that transition metals can have multiple valencies as they can utilise more than one “shell” during chemical reactions. Therefore it not required that you would be able to work out the valency of the transition elements.
Video lessons to help you with various aspects of elements using a periodic table.
- Electron Configuration of the First 20 Elements of Periodic Table
- What are ions?
- Dogs teaching chemistry– a simple introduction to chemical bonding
- What are ionic bonds?
- What are covalent bonds?
How has creativity, logical reasoning and scientific evidence available at the time, contributed to the development of the modern Periodic Table?
Clickview videos( sign in required)
- The periodic table a comprehensive introduction to the discovery of the periodic table and patterns observed with elements in the periodic table including predicting reactions.
- The periodic table ( adv)This programme explores the development and nature of the modern periodic table, atomic structure, valency and ionisation, table groups and radioactivity.
- Organising atoms and electrons in the periodic table
- 8 or 18 groups? Why do some periodic tables have 18 groups while others have 8?

Revision summaries
- BBC bitesize review of atomic structure and periodic table properties. Includes a quiz at the end to test your knowledge.
- Atom Builder interactive Could you assemble a model of an atom (one of the first 10 elements) from protons, neutrons, and electrons? Along the way, you’ll explore subatomic particles and how they combine to form atoms. You will also compare two ways of modelling atoms. Learn about isotopes (different forms of the same chemical element). Use nuclear symbols to represent some of them.
- BBC bitesize the model of the atom with a quiz
Additional content is not prerequisite knowledge for following stages, but may be used to broaden and deepen students’ skills, knowledge, and understanding in Stage 5.
- use models to describe the arrangement of electrons in the energy levels of common elements
lewis dot structures video lesson
- conduct flame tests and explain the colours in terms of subatomic structure

Chemical World year 10:PRODUCING USEFUL SUBSTANCES THROUGH CHEMICAL REACTIONS
Year 10 Term 2

CW3: Chemical reactions involve rearranging atoms to form new substances; during a chemical reaction mass is not created or destroyed
What is the smallest component of a chemical substance?
- Recall that all matter is composed of atoms and has mass.
A quick recap video on atomic number and mass. The topic of atoms and the periodic table above has more information.
What are some common chemical compounds?
- Identify a range of compounds using their common names and chemical formulae
- Classify compounds into groups based on common chemical characteristics.
- Names of some common chemical compounds, their formula and the scientific chemical name.
- more common compounds
- Naming ionic and covalent compounds. It is assumed that you are comfortable with reading the periodic table and understanding valencies of elements. Click here for a periodic table showing the common ionic charges in compounds.
- Naming ionic and covalent compounds. A quick video tutorial. See more detailed information below.
Valencies and ions
Click on this link to see a periodic table with common ionic charges. Note that transition metals can have multiple valencies as they can utilise more than one “shell” during chemical reactions. Therefore it not required that you would be able to work out the valency of the transition elements.
Video lessons to help you with various aspects of elements using a periodic table.
- Electron Configuration of the First 20 Elements of Periodic Table
- What are ions?
- Dogs teaching chemistry– a simple introduction to chemical bonding
- What are ionic bonds?
- What are covalent bonds?
Investigate a range of types of important chemical reactions that occur in non-living systems and involve energy transfer, including:
Combustion
- Can you burn metals? A video from the SCI show.
- combustion of hydrocarbons ( compounds containing hydrogen and carbon)
Corrosion
Precipitation
- BBC bitesize summary on precipitation reactions
- precipitation reactions
- precipitation reactions lessons and summaries from simpler to more complex information( leading up to senior chemistry)
Acids reactions including metals and carbonates
- Acids and bases- a quick summary from BBC Bytes science. Includes summaries of acid reactions and a quiz.
- Reactions of acids and metals
- Reactions of acids and carbonates
- acid and alkalis(bases) review
Neutralisation
Decomposition
What is happening to the elements, molecules, and compounds in a chemical reaction?
- Construct word equations from observations and written descriptions of a range of chemical reactions
- What happens when new substances are formed in a chemical reaction. Is anything created or destroyed? Explain.
- Chemical Bonding Introduction to bonding and more advanced concepts around. bonding of chemicals.
- Video of bonding explained simply.
- A Ted-Ed lesson on the Law of Conservation of mass with questions.
Additional content is not prerequisite knowledge for following stages, but may be used to broaden and deepen students’ skills, knowledge, and understanding in Stage 5.
- balance a range of common chemical equations( the reaction links above contain information about balancing equations)
What are some important chemical reactions that we depend on each day?
Identify some examples of important chemical reactions that occur in living systems and involve energy transfer, including;
Respiration
Reactions involving acids such as occur during digestion
- reactions involving acids such as occur during digestion
- metabolism and energy ( higher level biology information)
Additional content is not prerequisite knowledge for the following stages, but may be used to broaden and deepen students’ skills, knowledge, and understanding in Stage 5.
- construct simple electrochemical cells using fruit and describe energy transfer
- research the structure of small portable electrochemical cells, eg mercury cells and rechargeable batteries
- investigate the processes involved in the production of new materials from synthetic fibres
- research ways that are used to restore and prevent corrosion of a submerged object
How can our knowledge of chemical reactions help manufacture new products?
CW4: Different types of chemical reactions are used to produce a range of products and can occur at different rates and involve energy transfer
How is energy distributed in a chemical reaction?
- Identify that chemical reactions involve energy transfer and can be exothermic or endothermic( you tube video)
- Compare combustion and respiration in terms of how they release energy
What variables affect the rate of a chemical reaction?
Describe the effects of factors, eg temperature, and catalysts, at the rate of some common chemical reactions.
- BBC bitesize summary of factors that affect chemical reactions
- Summaries, examples and videoes on factors that affect reaction rates.
- Factors affecting reactions in simple paragraph summaries
What are some uses around the manufacture of new chemicals?
- How do social, ethical and environmental considerations influence decisions about scientific research related to the development and production of new materials?
- Describe examples to show where advances in science and/or emerging science and technologies significantly affect people’s lives, including generating new career opportunities in areas of chemical science such as biochemistry and industrial chemistry
Additional content is not prerequisite knowledge for following stages, but may be used to broaden and deepen students’ skills, knowledge, and understanding in Stage 5.
- investigate the order of activity of a range of metals
- evaluate, using scientific evidence, the claims, explanations or predictions made in the media or advertising in relation to a substance, material or product.
More websites
Useful websites to get further material and resources, some go into stage 6 content as well. These resources are not aligned with the NSW syllabus, however, contain excellent resources to understand and extend your knowledge and skills.
- CK-12 chemistry page
- Khan academy online lessons
- Lumen chemistry– intro to advanced concepts