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Chemistry: Chemical Analysis

Overview

Students will work as analysts and learn a range of qualitative tests to detect specific chemicals. This will include chromatography, gas tests, flame tests and chemical tests for positive and negative ions. Students will also study instrumental methods and how they are applied in real life scenarios like forensics.

The main SMSC/Personal Development content of this topic includes: PD20 – National assessments and examinations are useful indicators of pupils’ outcomes, but they only represent a sample of what pupils have learned. Inspectors will balance outcomes with their first-hand assessment of pupils’ work and PD22 – Use of a range of social skills in different contexts, for example working and socialising with other pupils, including those from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

The main UN Rights of a Child covered are No.12 – Respect for Children’s views, No. 17 – Access to Information and No. 28 – Access to Education.

Example Key Words

Formulation

A useful substance synthetically made by mixing precise amounts of ingredients, for example toothpaste.

Chromatography

A separation technique using a mobile and stationary phase. For example dyes being separated out of ink in paper chromatography.

Mobile Phase

The phase which moves through the stationary phase during chromatography. For example the solvent in paper chromatography.

Flame Test

A method to test the positive ions present in a solution by putting a sample of the solution into a Bunsen Burner flame and observing the colour change.

Precipitate

The solid product which comes out of a solution following a chemical reaction.