Dunfermline What Will I Learn?
Chemistry is the study of matter and involves learning about different substances and how they can react with each other. This allows us to understand and understand the world around us.
In S3 - Higher, Chemistry is broken up into three units:
- Chemical Changes and Structure
- Nature's Chemistry
- Chemistry in Society
Unit 1: Chemical Changes and Structure
This unit focuses on atoms and how they join together to form compounds. You will also learn how the structure of substances can affect their chemical and physical properties such as melting point, conduction of electricity and solubility.
The different sub-topics, which we call Key Areas, for each level are shown below. The table also displays some of the content covered in each Key Area.
Unit 2: Nature's Chemistry
This unit focuses on a branch of Chemistry often called 'Organic Chemistry' which looks at carbon compounds.
At N4/5, we start by learning about fossil fuels such as crude oil and start to look deeper at the structure of the hydrocarbon molecules which make up the fuel. We will also learn about other common carbon compounds such as alcohols and vinegar.
At Higher, we will learn about many more carbon compounds from those in fragrances and soaps to those in the proteins we eat in our diet.
Unit 3: Chemistry in Society
This unit focuses on important chemical reactions and applications of Chemistry that we use in our lives.
At N4/5 the main focus of this unit is metals with plastics, fertilisers and nuclear chemistry added in too.
At Higher, we start to look more deeply at how chemists can get the most out of chemical reactions.
Content Covered in S3 and S4
In S3 we will start working towards National 4/5 Chemistry with the following topics:
| Structure of the Atom | June - September |
| Chemical Formulae and Calculations | September - November |
| Chemical Bonding | November - January |
| Fuels and Homologous Series | January - March |
| Rates of Reaction | March - April |
| Everyday Consumer Products and Plants | April - June |
| End of S3 Exam | |
In S4 it is decided if you will be aiming for N4 or N5 and the topics covered are:
| Acids and Bases | August - September |
| Fertilisers | September - October |
| S4 Prelim at N5 Level | |
| Metals and Materials | December - February |
| Plastics | February - March |
| Nuclear Chemistry | March |
| Exam Revision/ N4 Assessments | March - April |
| N5 Final Exam | |
