Chemistry Course Overview

Chemistry is intended to expose students to the designs and patterns in the world that God has created. In preceding
years, students should have developed an understanding for the macroscopic properties of substances and been
introduced to the microstructure of substances. This chemistry course will expand upon that knowledge, further
develop the microstructure of substances, and teach the symbolic and mathematical world of formulas, equations, and
symbols. The major concepts covered are measurement, atomic structure, chemical formulas and bonding, chemical
reactions, stoichiometry, gases, chemical equilibrium, and organic chemistry.
Students at this level should show development in their ability and understanding of scientific inquiry. The units
contain experiments and projects that seek to develop a deeper conceptual meaning for the student and actively
engage the student. The continued exposure of science concepts and scientific inquiry will serve to improve the
student’s skill and understanding.

Chemistry should be preceded by an Algebra I course and preceded or accompanied by an Algebra II course.

• Measurement and Analysis: Students will explore different types of laboratory measurements.

• Starting the Investigation: How to Identify Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures: Students will explore the
chemical and physical properties of elements, compounds, and mixtures.

• Exploring Laws for Gases and Conservation of Mass: Students will explore the kinetic molecular theory, the
gas laws and the conservation of mass.

• The Discovery of Atoms: Nature’s Building Blocks: Students will describe the history and current atomic
theory.

• Molecular Structure: Students will explore stoichiometry, chemical bonding, and polar properties.

• Chemical Reactions, Rates and Equilibrium: Students will observe chemical changes, reaction rates, and
factors that affect equilibrium.

• Equilibrium Systems: Students will explore solutions and equilibrium systems.

• Carbon Chemistry: Hydrocarbons: Students will describe organic compounds and saturated and unsaturated
hydrocarbons.

• Carbon Chemistry: Functional Groups: Students will explore and describe the functional groups in
hydrocarbons.