NSS Understanding and Interpreting the Chemistry Curriculum

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NSS Understanding and Interpreting the Chemistry
Curriculum

• June 2006

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Curriculum Structure

• Compulsory part (198 hours)
• compiled with fundamental chemistry knowledge,
  principles, concepts and scientific process skills

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Compulsory Part (Total 198 hours)
I. Planet earth 8 hours
II. Microscopic world I 24 hours
III. Metals 22 hours
IV. Acids and bases 27 hours
V. Fossil fuels and carbon compounds 20 hours
VI. Microscopic world II 8 hours
VII. Redox reactions, chemical cells and electrolysis 26 hours
VIII. Chemical reactions and energy 9 hours
IX. Rate of reaction 9 hours
X. Chemical equilibrium 10 hours
XI Chemistry of carbon compounds 27 hours
XII Patterns in the chemical world 8 hours
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• Elective part (26 hours x 2)
• Select any 2 out of 3 topics
• In-depth treatment or extension of certain areas
  of the compulsory part

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Elective Part (Total 52 hours)
XIII. Industrial chemistry 26 hours
XIV. Material chemistry 26 hours
XV. Analytical chemistry 26 hours
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Investigative study (20 hours)

• Design and conduct a first-hand investigation

Searching for and defining questions 3 hours
Developing an investigative plan 4 hours
Conducting the investigation 6 hours
Organizing and analyzing data 4 hours
Presenting findings 3 hours
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Amendments on curriculum framework of NSS
chemistry
Topic Add Delete Modify
II Microscopic world I Structures and properties of giant covalent substances Simple molecular substances with non-octet structures Teaching time 24 hours
II Microscopic world I Comparison of structures and properties of important types of substances Shapes of simple molecules
III Metals Methods used to prevent rusting Cathodic protection
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Topic Add Delete Modify
V Fossil fuels and carbon compounds Isomerism structural isomerism, geometrical isomerism, enantiomerism Teaching time 20 hours
VI Microscopic world II Simple molecular substances with non-octet structures Structures and properties of giant covalent substances Teaching time 8 hours
VI Microscopic world II Shapes of simple molecules Comparison of structures and properties of important types of substances
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Topic Add Delete Modify
VII Redox reactions, chemical cells and electrolysis Characteristics of common primary and secondary cells Lead-acid accumulator Characteristics of common primary and secondary cells Nickel-cadmium cell
VIII Chemical reactions and energy Standard enthalpy change of hydration
XI Chemistry of carbon compounds Isomerism structural isomerism, geometrical isomerism, enantiomerism Teaching time 27 hours
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Topic Modify
XII Patterns in the chemical world Behaviour variation of the following oxides in water Na2O, MgO, Al2O3, SiO2, P4O10, SO2 and Cl2O
XII Patterns in the chemical world Variations of acid-base properties of the oxides of elements Na to Cl as exemplified by Na2O, Al2O3 and SO2
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Topic Add Delete Modify
XIII Industrial chemistry Advancement of industrial processes as exemplified by the conversion of methane to methanol Processes involved in making synthetic products from different raw materials as exemplified by the Fisher-Tropsch synthesis
XV Analytical chemistry Contribution of analytical chemistry to our society clinical diagnoses
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Why methanol production?

• World demand 33 million tonnes per year
• One of the most important industrial chemicals
• As solvent, fuel (blended with gasoline), an
  intermediate for chemicals including methyl
  tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), formaldehyde, acetic
  acid.

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Methanol manufacturing process
Natural gas (96 methane)
desulphurized natural gas steam
Removal of excess heat Compression
water
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Methanol manufacturing process
Distillation columns for methanol purification
compressed reformed gas
68 methanol 31 water
99 methanol