Materials
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Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Acids and bases, where they explored chemical properties and reactions of substances. It deepens their understanding by examining different materials, including metals, polymers, and ceramics, and their properties and uses. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Using Earth's resources, where they will apply their knowledge to explore the sustainable use of natural resources, material extraction, and the environmental impact of human activity, reinforcing the link between chemistry and real-world applications.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity, they are strong, shiny, malleable and ductile.
- Non-metals are normally poor conductors of heat and electricity, they are not strong, and are dull and brittle.
- Graphite is a non-metal that is an electrical conductor.
- When a metal reacts with acid bubbles may form, the temperature rises and the metal reduces in size or disappears.
- Not all metals react with an acid.
- The word equation for a metal and acid reaction is: metal + acid ⭢ salt + hydrogen.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Acids and bases, where they explored chemical properties and reactions of substances. It deepens their understanding by examining different materials, including metals, polymers, and ceramics, and their properties and uses. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Using Earth's resources, where they will apply their knowledge to explore the sustainable use of natural resources, material extraction, and the environmental impact of human activity, reinforcing the link between chemistry and real-world applications.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity, they are strong, shiny, malleable and ductile.
- Non-metals are normally poor conductors of heat and electricity, they are not strong, and are dull and brittle.
- Graphite is a non-metal that is an electrical conductor.
- When a metal reacts with acid bubbles may form, the temperature rises and the metal reduces in size or disappears.
- Not all metals react with an acid.
- The word equation for a metal and acid reaction is: metal + acid ⭢ salt + hydrogen.
Chemistry
Materials
This unit examines the varying properties of elements, the reactivity series, and the role of carbon in metal extraction. It also explores catalysts and the properties of ceramics, polymers, and composites. Emphasis is placed on evaluating risks, using appropriate techniques, and interpreting data.
5 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Materials unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our secondary science curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for secondary science programmes.