Digital Schools Awards Scotland Digital Schools Awards Scotland

Larkhall Academy

National 5 Chemistry

The course content includes the following areas of chemistry:

Chemical Changes and Structure

In this Unit, learners will develop scientific skills and knowledge of the chemical reactions in our world. Through practical experience, learners will investigate average rates of reaction and the chemistry of neutralisation reactions. Focusing on these reactions, learners will work towards the concept of balanced chemical equations. Learners will explore the mole concept, formulae and reaction quantities. The connection between bonding and chemical properties of materials is investigated.

Nature’s Chemistry 

The Earth has a rich supply of natural resources which are used by all of us. In this Unit, learners will investigate the physical and chemical properties of cycloalkanes, branched chain alkanes and alkenes, and straight chain alcohols and carboxylic acids. They will explore their chemical reactions and their uses in everyday consumer products. Learners will investigate the comparison of energy from different fuels.

Chemistry in Society 

In this Unit, learners will develop skills and carry out practical investigations related to the chemistry of materials. Learners will focus on the chemistry of metals and their bonding, reactions and uses. The connection between bonding in plastics, their physical properties and their uses is investigated. Learners will investigate the chemical reactions and processes used to manufacture fertilisers. They will research the use and effect of different types of nuclear of radiation. Learners will investigate chemical analysis techniques used for monitoring the environment.


Skills, knowledge and understanding

The following provides a broad overview of the subject skills, knowledge and understanding developed in the course:

¨ demonstrating knowledge and understanding of chemistry by making accurate statements

¨ demonstrating knowledge and understanding of chemistry by describing information and providing explanations and integrating knowledge

¨ applying knowledge of chemistry to new situations, interpreting information and solving problems

¨ planning or designing experiments to test given hypotheses or to illustrate particular effects, including safety measures

¨ carrying out experimental procedures safely

¨ selecting information from a variety of sources

¨ presenting information appropriately in a variety of forms

¨ processing information (using calculations and units, where appropriate)

¨ making predictions and generalisations based on evidence/information

¨ drawing valid conclusions and giving explanations supported by evidence/justification

¨ evaluating experimental procedures

¨ suggesting improvements to experiments/practical investigations

¨ communicating findings/information


SQA National 5 Chemistry –

BBC bitesize National 5 Chemistry -