SCH4U course enables students to deepen their understanding of chemistry through the
study of organic chemistry, the structure and properties of matter, energy changes and
rates of reaction, equilibrium in chemical systems, and electrochemistry. Students will
further develop their problem-solving and investigation skills as they investigate
chemical processes, and will refine their ability to communicate scientific information.
Emphasis will be placed on the importance of chemistry in everyday life and on
evaluating the impact of chemical technology on the environment.
Prerequisite: Chemistry, Grade 11 (University Preparation)
In this unit, students will learn about organic compounds and organic chemical reactions, use various methods to represent the compound, and demonstrate an understanding of the structure, properties, and chemical behavior of compounds within each class of organic compounds. Further, students will assess the social and environmental impact of organic compounds used in everyday life, and propose a course of action to reduce the use of compounds that are harmful to human health and the environment.Â
This unit will elaborate on how the nature of attractive forces that exist between particles in a substance determines the properties and limits the uses of that substance. Students will evaluate the societal benefits and costs of technological devices based on the principle of atomic and molecular structures.Â
The unit focuses on the study of chemical energy and kinetics. Students will understand how chemical reactions occur and how the efficiency of reactions can be improved. They will examine the different kinds of energy involved in chemical reactions, including thermal energy, binding energy, and activation energy, and explore how the rate of chemical reactions can be measured and how the laws of kinetics can be applied to predict the rate of reactions.
This unit will focus on how chemical systems respond to changing conditions and how equilibrium is established in these systems. Students will learn to apply the principles of chemical equilibrium to understand natural phenomena, such as the behavior of acids and bases and the industrial implications of chemical production. Further, the unit will help students develop a thorough understanding of chemical equilibrium and its practical applications by elaborating on how factors such as temperature, pressure, and concentration affect the equilibrium and how these changes can be exploited to optimize chemical processes in the industry.Â
The unit will introduce oxidation and reduction as paired chemical reactions in which electors are transferred from one substance to another in a predictable way. Students will learn about how the control and applications of oxidation and reduction reactions have significant implications for industry, health and safety, and the environment.Â
