KS3 & KS4 science curriculum

This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Separation techniques, where they explored methods like filtration, distillation, and chromatography to separate mixtures based on their physical properties. It deepens their understanding by focusing on the practical application of these techniques to purify substances. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Making salts, where they will apply their knowledge of separation processes to create and purify salts through chemical reactions, reinforcing the link between separation techniques and practical chemistry.

1. Separating mixtures (including formulations)
2. Solutions
3. Filtration
4. Crystallisation
5. Chromatography: paper
6. Interpreting chromatograms
7. Chromatography: separating a mixture of inks
8. Distillation: simple distillation
9. Distillation: separating a mixture of inks
10. Distillation: fractional distillation
11. Potable water
12. Wastewater treatment
13. Water sample analysis: pH
14. Water sample analysis: dissolved solids
15. Water sample analysis: distillation

• There are three states of matter: solid, liquid and gas
• Changes of state can be achieved by heating or cooling
• Solids, liquids and gases have different properties
• Only gases can be compressed, so gases can have different pressures
• Fluids fill the container they’re in
• Fluids can be poured (they can flow)
• The particle model shows how solids, liquids and gases are organised together