F-2 Understanding Objects and Materials
Objects can be made of one or more different materials; these materials have observable properties.
VC2S2U04
Identifying Materials in Everyday Objects
Classroom Material Classification
Using Tools for Closer Observation
Sorting by Observable Properties
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Material Culture
Creating a Materials Display
Materials Scavenger Hunt
F-2 Combining Materials for Specific Purposes
Materials can be combined in a variety of ways for particular purposes; the properties of objects and mixtures can differ from the properties of the materials from which they are made.
VC2S2U05
Predicting Material Combinations
Mixing Food for New Products
Choosing Materials for Object Parts
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Material Culture
Exploring Mixtures in Construction
F-2 Physical Changes to Materials
Materials can be changed physically by different actions without changing their material composition, including by bending, twisting, stretching, crushing, squashing and breaking into smaller pieces.
VC2S2U06
Changing Materials for a Purpose
Manipulating and Altering Form
Comparing Forms of the Same Material
Cultural Applications of Physical Change
Identifying Physical Change through Play
3-4 Changes of State and the Role of Heat Energy
Solids, liquids and gases have observable properties; adding or removing heat energy leads to a change of state between solids, liquids and gases.
VC2S4U04
Investigating Melting and Freezing
Observing Expansion and Contraction in Gases
Demonstrating Chemical Changes Producing Gas
Classifying Substances by Observable Properties
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge of State Changes
Applying State Changes to Recycling
3-4 How Material Properties Influence Use and Re-Use
The properties of natural and made materials, including fibres, metals, glass and plastics, influence their use and re-use.
VC2S4U05
Describing and Comparing Material Properties
Investigating Material Combinations in Everyday Objects
First Nations Material Use Based on Properties
State Changes and Material Use in First Nations Practices
Designing for Purpose Using Material Properties
Recyclability and Sustainable Alternatives
5-6 Understanding Matter and Mixtures
The observable properties of matter (solids, liquids and gases) can be explained by modelling the motion and arrangement of their particles; mixtures (including solutions) can be formed by combining 2 or more different substances.
VC2S6U03
Modelling Particle Behaviour
Investigating Compressibility
Demonstrating the Mass of Gases
Exploring Mixtures Through Sensory Bins
Identifying Everyday Mixtures and Solutions
Making a Simple Solution
Cultural Applications of States of Matter
5-6 Reversible and Irreversible Changes in Substances
Changes to substances may be reversible, in which case the substance may be recovered, or irreversible, in which case new substances are formed; for most substances a change of state or dissolving in water is reversible, while irreversible changes include cooking and rusting.
VC2S6U04
Identifying Reversible vs Irreversible Changes
New Substances from Irreversible Changes
Heat and the Type of Change
Investigating Solubility
Reclaiming Dissolved Substances
Reversible Changes and Recycling
First Nations Knowledges of Reversible and Irreversible Processes
7-8 Understanding Matter Through Particle and Kinetic Theories
The particle and kinetic theories of matter can be used to describe the arrangement and motion of particles in a substance, including the attraction between particles, and to explain the properties and behaviour of substances, including melting point, boiling point, density, compressibility, gas pressure, viscosity, diffusion, sublimation, and expansion and contraction
VC2S8U05
Representing Changes in Particle Arrangement
Forces and Particle Arrangement Across States
Heat Energy and Particle Motion
Explaining Properties Using Particle Theory
Investigating Viscosity with Particle Models
Modelling Density with Liquid Layers
7-8 Classifying and Separating Matter
Matter can be classified as pure substances such as elements and compounds or impure substances such as mixtures (including solutions), and can be modelled using the particle model. Mixtures may have a uniform (homogeneous) or non-uniform (heterogeneous) composition and can be separated based on the properties of their components using techniques including filtration, decantation, evaporation, crystallisation, magnetic separation, distillation and chromatography.
VC2S8U06
Distinguishing Pure Substances and Mixtures
Modelling Mixtures and Solutions
Linking Separation Techniques to Physical Properties
Using Chromatography to Separate Mixtures
First Nations Separation Methods
Designing Separation Solutions
Separation in Context
7-8 Understanding Atomic Theory and Classifying Matter
The atomic theory of matter can be used to model and explain the difference between elements, compounds and mixtures; elements, compounds and mixtures can be represented as two-dimensional and three-dimensional models, elements can be represented by symbols, and molecules and compounds can be represented by chemical formulas.
VC2S8U07
Distinguishing Elements and Compounds
Mendeleev and the Periodic Table
Symbols, Formulas and Percentages
Representing Different Types of Matter
Comparing Different Representations
7-8 Identifying and Distinguishing Physical and Chemical Changes
Physical changes can be distinguished from chemical changes; a chemical change can be identified by a colour change, a temperature change, the production of a gas (including laboratory preparation and testing of oxygen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen gases) or the formation of a precipitate.
VC2S8U08
Indicators of Chemical Change
Before and After Comparison
Properties and Use
Chemical Indicators in Real-World Testing
Identifying Substances Through Reactions
9-10 Atomic Structure and Radioactive Decay
The model of the atom changed following the discovery of electrons, protons and neutrons; natural radioactive decay results in a change from unstable to stable atoms.
VC2S10U06
Subatomic Particles and Atomic Models
Isotopes and Atomic Variation
Types of Radioactive Decay
Half-life and Decay Simulations
Dating Techniques and First Peoples’ Presence
Applications of Radioactivity
9-10 Structure and Patterns in the Periodic Table
The organisation of the elements in the periodic table is related to the structure and properties of atoms; patterns and trends include the significance of rows and periods, metallic and non-metallic properties, atomic size and reactivity.
VC2S10U07
Significance of Groups and Periods
Chemical Reactivity Patterns
Comparing Physical Properties
Atomic Structure and Bohr Models
Electron Shell Patterns
Flame Tests and Emission Spectra
9-10 Chemical Reactions and the Law of Conservation of Mass
Chemical reactions are described by the Law of Conservation of Mass and involve the rearrangement of atoms; they can be modelled using a range of representations, including word and simple balanced chemical equations.
VC2S10U08
Identifying Reactants and Products
Modelling Atom Rearrangement and Mass Conservation
Investigating Open and Closed Systems
Writing and Balancing Chemical Equations
Understanding Elemental Occurrence
Green Chemistry and Environmental Impact
9-10 Types of Chemical Reactions and Their Properties
Chemical reactions include synthesis, decomposition and displacement reactions and can be classified as exothermic or endothermic; reaction rates are affected by factors including temperature, concentration, surface area of solid reactants, and catalysts.
VC2S10U09
Classifying Reaction Types
Predicting Products
Examples of Reaction Types
Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions in Everyday Life
Factors Affecting Reaction Rates
Indigenous Chemical Technologies
Indigenous Food Detoxification Processes