Chemistry
Chemistry is a fundamental subject in science and realise it or not, we are all chemists. Every time we light a match, fry an egg or simply breathe in and out, we perform a chemical reaction. Our bodies grow, develop and function entirely as a result of the chemical processes that go on within them. Everything you can touch or taste or smell is a chemical, most of them made from a combination of only a few key elements.
When you study Chemistry, you come to understand a bit about how things work and you get to carry out lots of fun experiments! Each year we also ensure that pupils of various ages are entered for competitions run at Manchester University and experience fascinating talks and /or ‘flash/bang’ shows brought into school by various professional bodies such as The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and The Royal Society of Chemistry.
In Year 7, the girls first extend their key stage 2 knowledge to find out why solids, liquids and gases behave differently. They then study acids and alkalis to find out how we identify them and how neutralisation reactions are used in our every day lives. The last topic provides an introduction to some simple chemical reactions, including burning, which is the most widely used chemical reaction in our modern world. Practical work is carried out in every lesson to reinforce the theory (and because it its fun, particularly if you have pyromaniac tendencies!)
In Year 8 we introduce the some of the basic concepts and key words that underpin the true understanding of Chemistry. Atoms, elements, compounds and mixtures are taught in a stimulating way that is constantly reinforced with visual stimulus via experiments and demonstrations of spectacular chemical reactions. The pupils also study a short topic about rocks, again supported by practical work that brings weathering and fossil formation to life.
During the first term in Year 9 we recap all the knowledge and understanding that students need to be successful in Chemistry at GCSE level.
Fascinating FactsFascinating Facts
Did you know? ...
- Each time lightning strikes, some Ozone gas is produced, thus strengthening the Ozone Layer in the Earth's atmosphere.
- The lighter was invented before the match (in 1816 by J.W. Dobereiner)
- Absolutely pure gold is so soft that it can be moulded with the hands
- The amount of carbon in the human body is enough to fill about 9,000 'lead' pencils.
- The first modern chemist was Robert Boyle (1627–1691). Though most famous for his work with gases, Boyle was also the first to disagree with the Greek idea of four elements in his book The Skeptical Chymist, published in 1661. Despite his groundbreaking work, Boyle continued to believe that metals weren’t really elements and that it would eventually be possible to convert one metal into another using chemical processes. Hey, even the greats make mistakes sometimes.