KS3 & KS4 science curriculum

This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Fuels and energetics, where they explored energy transfers in chemical reactions. It deepens their understanding by focusing on energy changes in reactions, such as bond breaking and bond formation, and how these processes impact the energy released or absorbed. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Rate of reaction, where they will apply their knowledge to explore factors that influence how quickly reactions occur, reinforcing their understanding of energy dynamics in chemical processes.

1. Energy changes in reactions
2. Energy changes: displacement practical
3. Energy changes: neutralisation practical
4. Reaction profiles
5. Breaking and making bonds
6. Breaking and making bonds: using bond energies

• An exothermic chemical reaction causes an increase in temperature.
• An endothermic chemical reaction causes a decrease in temperature.
• An exothermic reaction transfers energy from the reactants to the surroundings.
• An endothermic reaction transfers energy from the surroundings to the products.
• Characteristics of chemical reactions include changes in colour, bubbling, or a change of temperature.
• When a metal reacts with acid bubbles may form, the temperature rise and the metal reduce in size or disappear.
• The neutralisation reaction is: base + acid ⭢ salt + water