About Course

After you’ve done this course if someone asks you, “What’s the matter?” You can say, “Solid, liquid, gas or plasma.”

Description of material covered

In term 2 students find themselves immersed in the physical and chemical properties of substances, and learning the fundamentals of particle theory. They will make models and do experiments to investigate solids, liquids and gases and understand the properties of water as it changes state. They will measure mass and volume and learn about why things float or sink.

Next, Year 7 will investigate common mixtures and separate insoluble substances using various techniques. Moving into the kitchen laboratory, Year 7 will then separate soluble substances, design water filters and make crystals.

Australian Curriculum Outcomes

Science understanding

Properties of the different states of matter can be explained in terms of the motion and arrangement of particles (ACSSU 151).

Mixtures, including solutions, contain a combination of pure substances that can be separated using a range of techniques  (ACSSU 113)

Science as a human endeavour

Scientists construct explanations about the natural world based on evidence and these explanations change when new evidence becomes available. The science of today will lead to the technology of tomorrow as scientists work collaboratively, using new skills and modern methods. Only a high level of scientific understanding among people of all cultures will ensure that governments follow ethical considerations when legislating the use of emerging technology. (ACSHE 119, 223, 120, 121)

Science inquiry skills

This term Year 7 will work individually or in small groups to produce a project on the physical and chemical properties of substances, which allows student choice; is organized around an open-ended question; requires inquiry to learn and/or create something new; requires critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and various forms of communication (often known as 21st-century skills); incorporates feedback and revision and results in a presentation. (ACSIS 124, 125, 126, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133)

What Will You Learn?

Properties of substances

Week 1 – Orientation week

Week 2 – Physical and chemical properties

Week 3 – The particle model

Week 4 – Changing state

Week 5 – Density

Mixtures

Week 6 – Types of mixtures

Week 7 – Separation of insoluble mixtures

Week 8 – Separating soluble substances

Week 9 – Water as a solvent

Week 10 – Recycling water