Refer to the course description and knowledge outcomes that need to be met, as listed below. This information is provided by the VCAA in the Course guidelines.
This Area of Study focuses on use of different energy resources. Students evaluate the extent of reserves of some of these resources, how each resource is used and the advantages and disadvantages of their continued use. Students conduct experiments using calorimeters to measure the energy of chemical reactions.
The electrochemical series is used to predict redox reactions in aqueous solution. Students construct and operate simple galvanic and electrolytic cells and use the electrochemical series to predict and explain their results. They extend their study of stoichiometry with the application of Faraday's Laws to solve problems involving quantitative calculations for electrolysis reactions.
A summary report including annotations of three practical activities drawn from either Area of Study 1 or 2. From the second Area of Study (Supplying and Using Energy) assessment will consist of a written report on one practical activity (25%) and an analysis of data using structured questions (a test). This task will also be worth 25%. At Salesian College, we will most likely do the summary report from the first Area of Study. This task will be worth 50% of the internal assessment for the Unit.
No relevant practice tests in the Energy Area of Study are currently available for student use.
"VCE Chemistry Units 3 and 4" text: relevant chapters are "Chapter 10" (Energy as a Resource), "Chapter 12" (Galvanic Cells and their Applications) and "Chapter 13" (Electrolysis).On
completion of this Unit the student should be able to demonstrate the importance
of energy transformations in thermochemical and electrochemical reactions.
To
achieve this outcome the student should demonstrate knowledge of:
· the range of energy sources available to society; an assessment of
their suitability for particular situations; for example, fossil fuels,
nuclear fission and fusion, renewable energy sources
· energy conversions in a coal-fired power station; the importance of
maximising the efficiency of energy conversions
· solution and bomb calorimetry as tools for determining heat of
reaction; electrical calibration of a calorimeter; specific heat capacity
· the electrochemical series and its use in predicting redox reactions in aqueous solutions and in galvanic and electrolytic cells; limitations of these predictions
· galvanic cells as a source of electrical energy; the transformation of energy in primary and secondary cells; the recharging process in a secondary cell; the general structural features and principles of operation of common galvanic cells
· the general structural features and principles of operation of fuel
cells; comparison of energy efficiency of a fuel cell with that of the
corresponding combustion process; cost and rate of reaction as factors
that limit the applications of fuel cells
· the application of Faraday’s Laws
Outcome 1: Key skills
To
achieve this outcome the student should demonstrate the ability to:
·
assess
the suitability of various energy sources available to society
·
compare
the efficiencies of common energy converters
·
identify
the requirements for constructing a simple galvanic cell
·
use
electrochemical tables to predict reactions in galvanic cells
·
write
balanced half-equations for redox reactions
·
use the
electrochemical series to predict products of electrolytic cells
·
calculate
quantities in electrolytic cell reactions using Faraday’s Laws
·
design
and perform an experiment to demonstrate and/or measure the energy
transformations associated with a given electrochemical or thermochemical
reaction
·
illustrate
the links between the factors that determine the selection of an energy source
for a particular situation
·
establish
and observe safe laboratory practices
·
prepare
clear concise reports on laboratory work