Syllabus

Chemistry

Stage 6 syllabus (2017), the document examined in the 2026 HSC. 156 Year 12 dot points. Official document, SHA-256 7c75fc806d4d.

Every line below is the official wording, read from the NESA file by a parser and checked verbatim against it. Nothing here was typed by hand.

Working Scientifically Skills

Questioning and Predicting

develop and evaluate inquiry questions and hypotheses to identify a concept that can be investigated scientifically, involving primary and secondary data (ACSCH001, ACSCH061, ACSCH096)ACSCH001 ACSCH061 ACSCH096
modify questions and hypotheses to reflect new evidence

Planning Investigations

assess risks, consider ethical issues and select appropriate materials and technologies when designing and planning an investigation (ACSCH031, ACSCH097)ACSCH031 ACSCH097
justify and evaluate the use of variables and experimental controls to ensure that a valid procedure is developed that allows for the reliable collection of data (ACSCH002)ACSCH002
evaluate and modify an investigation in response to new evidence

Conducting Investigations

employ and evaluate safe work practices and manage risks (ACSCH031)ACSCH031
use appropriate technologies to ensure and evaluate accuracy
select and extract information from a wide range of reliable secondary sources and acknowledge them using an accepted referencing style

Processing Data and Information

select qualitative and quantitative data and information and represent them using a range of formats, digital technologies and appropriate media (ACSCH004, ACSCH007, ACSCH064, ACSCH101)ACSCH004 ACSCH007 ACSCH064 ACSCH101
apply quantitative processes where appropriate
evaluate and improve the quality of data

Analysing Data and Information

derive trends, patterns and relationships in data and information
assess error, uncertainty and limitations in data (ACSCH004, ACSCH005, ACSCH033, ACSCH099)ACSCH004 ACSCH005 ACSCH033 ACSCH099
assess the relevance, accuracy, validity and reliability of primary and secondary data and suggest improvements to investigations (ACSCH005)ACSCH005

Problem Solving

use modelling (including mathematical examples) to explain phenomena, make predictions and solve problems using evidence from primary and secondary sources (ACSCH006, ACSCH010)ACSCH006 ACSCH010
use scientific evidence and critical thinking skills to solve problems

Communicating

select and use suitable forms of digital, visual, written and/or oral communication
select and apply appropriate scientific notations, nomenclature and scientific language to communicate in a variety of contexts (ACSCH008, ACSCH036, ACSCH067, ACSCH102)ACSCH008 ACSCH036 ACSCH067 ACSCH102
construct evidence-based arguments and engage in peer feedback to evaluate an argument or conclusion (ACSCH034, ACSCH036)ACSCH034 ACSCH036

Module 5: Equilibrium and Acid Reactions

Static and Dynamic Equilibrium

What happens when chemical reactions do not go through to completion?

conduct practical investigations to analyse the reversibility of chemical reactions, for example:
- cobalt(II) chloride hydrated and dehydrated
- iron(III) nitrate and potassium thiocyanate
- burning magnesium
- burning steel wool (ACSCH090)ACSCH090
model static and dynamic equilibrium and analyse the differences between open and closed systems (ACSCH079, ACSCH091)ACSCH079 ACSCH091
analyse examples of non-equilibrium systems in terms of the effect of entropy and enthalpy, for example:
- combustion reactions
- photosynthesis
investigate the relationship between collision theory and reaction rate in order to analyse chemical equilibrium reactions (ACSCH070, ACSCH094)ACSCH070 ACSCH094

Factors that Affect Equilibrium

What factors affect equilibrium and how?

investigate the effects of temperature, concentration, volume and/or pressure on a system at equilibrium and explain how Le Chatelier’s principle can be used to predict such effects, for example:
- heating cobalt(II) chloride hydrate
- interaction between nitrogen dioxide and dinitrogen tetroxide
- iron(III) thiocyanate and varying concentration of ions (ACSCH095)ACSCH095
explain the overall observations about equilibrium in terms of the collision theory (ACSCH094)ACSCH094
examine how activation energy and heat of reaction affect the position of equilibrium

Calculating the Equilibrium Constant (Keq)

How can the position of equilibrium be described and what does the equilibrium constant represent?

deduce the equilibrium expression (in terms of Keq) for homogeneous reactions occurring in solution (ACSCH079, ACSCH096)ACSCH079 ACSCH096
perform calculations to find the value of Keq and concentrations of substances within an equilibrium system, and use these values to make predictions on the direction in which a reaction may proceed (ACSCH096)ACSCH096
qualitatively analyse the effect of temperature on the value of Keq (ACSCH093)ACSCH093
conduct an investigation to determine Keq of a chemical equilibrium system, for example:
- Keq of the iron(III) thiocyanate equilibrium (ACSCH096)ACSCH096
explore the use of Keq for different types of chemical reactions, including but not limited to:
- dissociation of ionic solutions
- dissociation of acids and bases (ACSCH098, ACSCH099)ACSCH098 ACSCH099

Solution Equilibria

How does solubility relate to chemical equilibrium?

describe and analyse the processes involved in the dissolution of ionic compounds in water
investigate the use of solubility equilibria by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples when removing toxicity from foods, for example:
- toxins in cycad fruit
conduct an investigation to determine solubility rules, and predict and analyse the composition of substances when two ionic solutions are mixed, for example:
- potassium chloride and silver nitrate
- potassium iodide and lead nitrate
- sodium sulfate and barium nitrate (ACSCH065)ACSCH065
derive equilibrium expressions for saturated solutions in terms of Ksp and calculate the solubility of an ionic substance from its Ksp value
predict the formation of a precipitate given the standard reference values for Ksp

Module 6: Acid/Base Reactions

Properties of Acids and Bases

What is an acid and what is a base?

investigate the correct IUPAC nomenclature and properties of common inorganic acids and bases (ACSCH067)ACSCH067
conduct an investigation to demonstrate the preparation and use of indicators as illustrators of the characteristics and properties of acids and bases and their reversible reactions (ACSCH101)ACSCH101
predict the products of acid reactions and write balanced equations to represent:
- acids and bases
- acids and carbonates
- acids and metals (ACSCH067)ACSCH067
investigate applications of neutralisation reactions in everyday life and industrial processes
conduct a practical investigation to measure the enthalpy of neutralisation (ACSCH093)ACSCH093
explore the changes in definitions and models of an acid and a base over time to explain the limitations of each model, including but not limited to:
- Arrhenius’ theory
- Brønsted–Lowry theory (ACSCH064, ACSCH067)ACSCH064 ACSCH067

Using Brønsted–Lowry Theory

What is the role of water in solutions of acids and bases?

conduct a practical investigation to measure the pH of a range of acids and bases
calculate pH, pOH, hydrogen ion concentration ([H+]) and hydroxide ion concentration ([OH–]) for a range of solutions (ACSCH102)ACSCH102
conduct an investigation to demonstrate the use of pH to indicate the differences between the strength of acids and bases (ACSCH102)ACSCH102
write ionic equations to represent the dissociation of acids and bases in water, conjugate acid/base pairs in solution and amphiprotic nature of some salts, for example:
- sodium hydrogen carbonate
- potassium dihydrogen phosphate
construct models and/or animations to communicate the differences between strong, weak, concentrated and dilute acids and bases (ACSCH099)ACSCH099
calculate the pH of the resultant solution when solutions of acids and/or bases are diluted or mixed

Quantitative Analysis

How are solutions of acids and bases analysed?

conduct practical investigations to analyse the concentration of an unknown acid or base by titration
investigate titration curves and conductivity graphs to analyse data to indicate characteristic reaction profiles, for example:
- strong acid/strong base
- strong acid/weak base
- weak acid/strong base (ACSCH080, ACSCH102)ACSCH080 ACSCH102
model neutralisation of strong and weak acids and bases using a variety of media
explore acid/base analysis techniques that are applied:
- in industries
- by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- using digital probes and instruments
conduct a chemical analysis of a common household substance for its acidity or basicity (ACSCH080) , for example:ACSCH080
- soft drink
- wine
- juice
- medicine
conduct a practical investigation to prepare a buffer and demonstrate its properties (ACSCH080)ACSCH080
describe the importance of buffers in natural systems (ACSCH098, ACSCH102)ACSCH098 ACSCH102

Module 7: Organic Chemistry

Nomenclature

How do we systematically name organic chemical compounds?

investigate the nomenclature of organic chemicals, up to C8, using IUPAC conventions, including simple methyl and ethyl branched chains, including: (ACSCH127)ACSCH127
- alkanes
- alkenes
- alkynes
- alcohols (primary, secondary and tertiary)
- aldehydes and ketones
- carboxylic acids
- amines and amides
- halogenated organic compounds
explore and distinguish the different types of structural isomers, including saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, including: (ACSCH035)ACSCH035
- chain isomers
- position isomers
- functional group isomers

Hydrocarbons

How can hydrocarbons be classified based on their structure and reactivity?

construct models, identify the functional group, and write structural and molecular formulae for homologous series of organic chemical compounds, up to C8 (ACSCH035) :ACSCH035
- alkanes
- alkenes
- alkynes
conduct an investigation to compare the properties of organic chemical compounds within a homologous series, and explain these differences in terms of bonding (ACSCH035)ACSCH035
analyse the shape of molecules formed between carbon atoms when a single, double or triple bond is formed between them
explain the properties within and between the homologous series of alkanes with reference to the intermolecular and intramolecular bonding present
describe the procedures required to safely handle and dispose of organic substances (ACSCH075)ACSCH075
examine the environmental, economic and sociocultural implications of obtaining and using hydrocarbons from the Earth

Products of Reactions Involving Hydrocarbons

What are the products of reactions of hydrocarbons and how do they react?

investigate, write equations and construct models to represent the reactions of unsaturated hydrocarbons when added to a range of chemicals, including but not limited to:
- hydrogen (H2)
- halogens (X2)
- hydrogen halides (HX)
- water (H2O) (ACSCH136)ACSCH136
investigate, write equations and construct models to represent the reactions of saturated hydrocarbons when substituted with halogens

Alcohols

How can alcohols be produced and what are their properties?

investigate the structural formulae, properties and functional group including:
- primary
- secondary
- tertiary alcohols
explain the properties within and between the homologous series of alcohols with reference to the intermolecular and intramolecular bonding present
conduct a practical investigation to measure and reliably compare the enthalpy of combustion for a range of alcohols
write equations, state conditions and predict products to represent the reactions of alcohols, including but not limited to (ACSCH128, ACSCH136):ACSCH128 ACSCH136
- combustion
- dehydration
- substitution with HX
- oxidation
investigate the production of alcohols, including:
- substitution reactions of halogenated organic compounds
- fermentation
investigate the products of the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols
compare and contrast fuels from organic sources to biofuels, including ethanol

Reactions of Organic Acids and Bases

What are the properties of organic acids and bases?

investigate the structural formulae, properties and functional group including:
- primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols
- aldehydes and ketones (ACSCH127)ACSCH127
- amines and amides
- carboxylic acids
explain the properties within and between the homologous series of carboxylic acids amines and amides with reference to the intermolecular and intramolecular bonding present
investigate the production, in a school laboratory, of simple esters
investigate the differences between an organic acid and organic base
investigate the structure and action of soaps and detergents
draft and construct flow charts to show reaction pathways for chemical synthesis, including those that involve more than one step

Polymers

What are the properties and uses of polymers?

model and compare the structure, properties and uses of addition polymers of ethylene and related monomers, for example:
- polyethylene (PE)
- polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- polystyrene (PS)
- polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (ACSCH136)ACSCH136
model and compare the structure, properties and uses of condensation polymers, for example:
- nylon
- polyesters

Module 8: Applying Chemical Ideas

Analysis of Inorganic Substances

How are the ions present in the environment identified and measured?

analyse the need for monitoring the environment
conduct qualitative investigations – using flame tests, precipitation and complexation reactions as appropriate – to test for the presence in aqueous solution of the following ions:
- cations: barium (Ba2+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), lead(II) (Pb2+), silver ion (Ag+), copper(II) (Cu2+), iron(II) (Fe2+), iron(III) (Fe3+)
- anions: chloride (Cl–), bromide (Br–), iodide (I–), hydroxide (OH–), acetate (CH3COO–), carbonate (CO32–), sulfate (SO42–), phosphate (PO43–)
conduct investigations and/or process data involving:
- gravimetric analysis
- precipitation titrations
conduct investigations and/or process data to determine the concentration of coloured species and/or metal ions in aqueous solution, including but not limited to, the use of:
- colourimetry
- ultraviolet‑visible spectrophotometry
- atomic absorption spectroscopy

Analysis of Organic Substances

How is information about the reactivity and structure of organic compounds obtained?

conduct qualitative investigations to test for the presence in organic molecules of the following functional groups:
- carbon–carbon double bonds
- hydroxyl groups
- carboxylic acids (ACSCH130)ACSCH130
investigate the processes used to analyse the structure of simple organic compounds addressed in the course, including but not limited to:
- proton and carbon-13 NMR
- mass spectrometry
- infrared spectroscopy (ACSCH130)ACSCH130

Chemical Synthesis and Design

What are the implications for society of chemical synthesis and design?

evaluate the factors that need to be considered when designing a chemical synthesis process, including but not limited to:
- availability of reagents
- reaction conditions (ACSCH133)ACSCH133
- yield and purity (ACSCH134)ACSCH134
- industrial uses (eg pharmaceutical, cosmetics, cleaning products, fuels) (ACSCH131)ACSCH131
- environmental, social and economic issues

Year 11 assumed knowledge

Not examined directly in the HSC, but the Year 12 course builds on it. Collapsed so the examinable material above stays in view.

Module 1: Properties and Structure of Matter38 items

Properties of Matter

How do the properties of substances help us to classify and separate them?

explore homogeneous mixtures and heterogeneous mixtures through practical investigations:
- using separation techniques based on physical properties (ACSCH026)ACSCH026
- calculating percentage composition by weight of component elements and/or compounds (ACSCH007)ACSCH007
investigate the nomenclature of inorganic substances using International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) naming conventions
classify the elements based on their properties and position in the periodic table through their:
- physical properties
- chemical properties

Atomic structure and atomic mass

Why are atoms of elements different from one another?

investigate the basic structure of stable and unstable isotopes by examining:
- their position in the periodic table
- the distribution of electrons, protons and neutrons in the atom
- representation of the symbol, atomic number and mass number (nucleon number)
model the atom’s discrete energy levels, including electronic configuration and spdf notation (ACSCH017, ACSCH018, ACSCH020, ACSCH022)ACSCH017 ACSCH018 ACSCH020 ACSCH022
calculate the relative atomic mass from isotopic composition (ACSCH024)ACSCH024
investigate energy levels in atoms and ions through:
- collecting primary data from a flame test using different ionic solutions of metals (ACSCH019)ACSCH019
- examining spectral evidence for the Bohr model and introducing the Schrödinger model
investigate the properties of unstable isotopes using natural and human-made radioisotopes as examples, including but not limited to:
- types of radiation
- types of balanced nuclear reactions

Periodicity

Are there patterns in the properties of elements?

demonstrate, explain and predict the relationships in the observable trends in the physical and chemical properties of elements in periods and groups in the periodic table, including but not limited to:
- state of matter at room temperature
- electronic configurations and atomic radii
- first ionisation energy and electronegativity
- reactivity with water

Bonding

What binds atoms together in elements and compounds?

investigate the role of electronegativity in determining the ionic or covalent nature of bonds between atoms
investigate the differences between ionic and covalent compounds through:
- using nomenclature, valency and chemical formulae (including Lewis dot diagrams) (ACSCH029)ACSCH029
- examining the spectrum of bonds between atoms with varying degrees of polarity with respect to their constituent elements’ positions on the periodic table
- modelling the shapes of molecular substances (ACSCH056, ACSCH057)ACSCH056 ACSCH057
investigate elements that possess the physical property of allotropy
investigate the different chemical structures of atoms and elements, including but not limited to:
- ionic networks
- covalent networks (including diamond and silicon dioxide)
- covalent molecular
- metallic structure
explore the similarities and differences between the nature of intermolecular and intramolecular bonds and the strength of the forces associated with each, in order to explain the:
- physical properties of elements
- physical properties of compounds (ACSCH020, ACSCH055, ACSCH058)ACSCH020 ACSCH055 ACSCH058

Module 2: Introduction to Quantitative Chemistry24 items

Chemical Reactions and Stoichiometry

What happens in chemical reactions?

conduct practical investigations to observe and measure the quantitative relationships of chemical reactions, including but not limited to:
- masses of solids and/or liquids in chemical reactions
- volumes of gases in chemical reactions (ACSCH046)ACSCH046
relate stoichiometry to the law of conservation of mass in chemical reactions by investigating:
- balancing chemical equations (ACSCH039)ACSCH039
- solving problems regarding mass changes in chemical reactions (ACSCH046)ACSCH046

Mole Concept

How are measurements made in chemistry?

conduct a practical investigation to demonstrate and calculate the molar mass (mass of one mole) of:
- an element
- a compound (ACSCH046)ACSCH046
conduct an investigation to determine that chemicals react in simple whole number ratios by moles
explore the concept of the mole and relate this to Avogadro’s constant to describe, calculate and manipulate masses, chemical amounts and numbers of particles in: (ACSCH007, ACSCH039)ACSCH007 ACSCH039
- moles of elements and compounds $n = \frac{m}{M M}$ (n = chemical amount in moles, m = mass in grams, MM = molar mass in gmol-1)
- percentage composition calculations and empirical formulae
- limiting reagent reactions

Concentration and Molarity

How are chemicals in solutions measured?

conduct practical investigations to determine the concentrations of solutions and investigate the different ways in which concentrations are measured (ACSCH046, ACSCH063)ACSCH046 ACSCH063
manipulate variables and solve problems to calculate concentration, mass or volume using:
- $c = \frac{n}{V}$ (molarity formula) (ACSCH063)ACSCH063
- dilutions (number of moles before dilution = number of moles of sample after dilution)
conduct an investigation to make a standard solution and perform a dilution

Gas Laws

How does the Ideal Gas Law relate to all other Gas Laws?

conduct investigations and solve problems to determine the relationship between the Ideal Gas Law and:
- Gay-Lussac’s Law (temperature)
- Boyle’s Law
- Charles’ Law
- Avogadro’s Law (ACSCH060)ACSCH060

Module 3: Reactive Chemistry35 items

Chemical Reactions

What are the products of a chemical reaction?

investigate a variety of reactions to identify possible indicators of a chemical change
use modelling to demonstrate
- the rearrangement of atoms to form new substances
- the conservation of atoms in a chemical reaction (ACSCH042, ACSCH080)ACSCH042 ACSCH080
conduct investigations to predict and identify the products of a range of reactions, for example:
- synthesis
- decomposition
- combustion
- precipitation
- acid/base reactions
- acid/carbonate reactions (ACSCH042, ACSCH080)ACSCH042 ACSCH080
investigate the chemical processes that occur when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples detoxify poisonous food items
construct balanced equations to represent chemical reactions

Predicting Reactions of Metals

How is the reactivity of various metals predicted?

conduct practical investigations to compare the reactivity of a variety of metals in:
- water
- dilute acid (ACSCH032, ACSCH037)ACSCH032 ACSCH037
- oxygen
- other metal ions in solution
construct a metal activity series using the data obtained from practical investigations and compare this series with that obtained from standard secondary-sourced information (ACSCH103)ACSCH103
analyse patterns in metal activity on the periodic table and explain why they correlate with, for example:
- ionisation energy (ACSCH045)ACSCH045
- atomic radius (ACSCH007)ACSCH007
- electronegativity (ACSCH057)ACSCH057
apply the definitions of oxidation and reduction in terms of electron transfer and oxidation numbers to a range of reduction and oxidation (redox) reactions
conduct investigations to measure and compare the reduction potential of galvanic half-cells
construct relevant half-equations and balanced overall equations to represent a range of redox reactions
predict the reaction of metals in solutions using the table of standard reduction potentials
predict the spontaneity of redox reactions using the value of cell potentials (ACSCH079, ACSCH080)ACSCH079 ACSCH080

Rates of Reactions

What affects the rate of a chemical reaction?

conduct a practical investigation, using appropriate tools (including digital technologies), to collect data, analyse and report on how the rate of a chemical reaction can be affected by a range of factors, including but not limited to:
- temperature
- surface area of reactant(s)
- concentration of reactant(s)
- catalysts (ACSCH042)ACSCH042
investigate the role of activation energy, collisions and molecular orientation in collision theory
explain a change in reaction rate using collision theory (ACSCH003, ACSCH046)ACSCH003 ACSCH046

Module 4: Drivers of Reactions23 items

Energy Changes in Chemical Reactions

What energy changes occur in chemical reactions?

conduct practical investigations to measure temperature changes in examples of endothermic and exothermic reactions, including:
- combustion
- dissociation of ionic substances in aqueous solution (ACSCH018, ACSCH037)ACSCH018 ACSCH037
investigate enthalpy changes in reactions using calorimetry and $q = m c Δ T$ (heat capacity formula) to calculate, analyse and compare experimental results with reliable secondary-sourced data, and to explain any differences
construct energy profile diagrams to represent and analyse the enthalpy changes and activation energy associated with a chemical reaction (ACSCH072)ACSCH072
model and analyse the role of catalysts in reactions (ACSCH073)ACSCH073

Enthalpy and Hess’s Law

How much energy does it take to break bonds, and how much is released when bonds are formed?

explain the enthalpy changes in a reaction in terms of breaking and reforming bonds, and relate this to:
- the law of conservation of energy
investigate Hess’s Law in quantifying the enthalpy change for a stepped reaction using standard enthalpy change data and bond energy data, for example: (ACSCH037)ACSCH037
- carbon reacting with oxygen to form carbon dioxide via carbon monoxide
apply Hess’s Law to simple energy cycles and solve problems to quantify enthalpy changes within reactions, including but not limited to:
- heat of combustion
- enthalpy changes involved in photosynthesis
- enthalpy changes involved in respiration (ACSCH037)ACSCH037

Entropy and Gibbs Free Energy

How can enthalpy and entropy be used to explain reaction spontaneity?

analyse the differences between entropy and enthalpy
use modelling to illustrate entropy changes in reactions
predict entropy changes from balanced chemical reactions to classify as increasing or decreasing entropy
explain reaction spontaneity using terminology, including: (ACSCH072)ACSCH072
- Gibbs free energy
- enthalpy
- entropy
solve problems using standard references and $Δ G^{o} = Δ H^{o} - T Δ S^{o}$ (Gibbs free energy formula) to classify reactions as spontaneous or nonspontaneous
predict the effect of temperature changes on spontaneity (ACSCH070)ACSCH070

Outcomes

Code	A student
CH11/12-1	develops and evaluates questions and hypotheses for scientific investigation CH11/12-1
CH11/12-2	designs and evaluates investigations in order to obtain primary and secondary data and information CH11/12-2
CH11/12-3	conducts investigations to collect valid and reliable primary and secondary data and information CH11/12-3
CH11/12-4	selects and processes appropriate qualitative and quantitative data and information using a range of appropriate media CH11/12-4
CH11/12-5	analyses and evaluates primary and secondary data and information CH11/12-5
CH11/12-6	solves scientific problems using primary and secondary data, critical thinking skills and scientific processes CH11/12-6
CH11/12-7	communicates scientific understanding using suitable language and terminology for a specific audience or purpose CH11/12-7
CH11-8	explores the properties and trends in the physical, structural and chemical aspects of matter CH11-8
CH11-9	describes, applies and quantitatively analyses the mole concept and stoichiometric relationships CH11-9
CH11-10	explores the many different types of chemical reactions, in particular the reactivity of metals, and the factors that affect the rate of chemical reactions CH11-10
CH11-11	analyses the energy considerations in the driving force for chemical reactions CH11-11
CH12-12	explains the characteristics of equilibrium systems, and the factors that affect these systems CH12-12
CH12-13	describes, explains and quantitatively analyses acids and bases using contemporary models CH12-13
CH12-14	analyses the structure of, and predicts reactions involving, carbon compounds CH12-14
CH12-15	describes and evaluates chemical systems used to design and analyse chemical processes CH12-15