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Canada · Ontario Curriculum Expectations

Grade 12 Chemistry

This course explores the behavior of matter through the lens of energy, equilibrium, and atomic structure. Students investigate how microscopic interactions dictate macroscopic properties and develop mathematical models to predict chemical phenomena.

4 units·53 topics·Ages 17-18

01Structure and Properties of Matter

13 topics·Term 1

Students examine quantum mechanical models of the atom and how electronic configurations influence molecular shape and intermolecular forces.

Early Atomic Models: Dalton to Rutherford

Examine the evolution of atomic models from Dalton to Rutherford, analyzing experimental evidence that led to each refinement.

Timeline ChallengeDocument Mystery
Bohr Model & Quantized Energy

Explore the Bohr model, its postulates, and how it explained atomic spectra, introducing the concept of quantized energy levels.

Flipped ClassroomConcept Mapping
Wave-Particle Duality & Quantum Numbers

Investigate the wave-particle duality of matter and light, leading to the introduction of quantum numbers and atomic orbitals.

Socratic SeminarThink-Pair-Share
Electron Configurations & Orbital Diagrams

Apply Aufbau principle, Hund's rule, and Pauli exclusion principle to write electron configurations and draw orbital diagrams.

Stations RotationGive One, Get One
Periodic Trends: Atomic Radius & Ionization Energy

Relate electron configurations to periodic trends in atomic radius, ionization energy, and electron affinity.

Concept MappingGallery Walk
Periodic Trends: Electronegativity & Metallic Character

Explore periodic trends in electronegativity, metallic character, and reactivity, linking them to chemical bonding.

Think-Pair-ShareCarousel Brainstorm
Lewis Structures & Formal Charge

Draw Lewis structures for molecules and polyatomic ions, including resonance structures, and calculate formal charges.

Collaborative Problem-SolvingPeer Teaching
VSEPR Theory & Molecular Geometry

Apply VSEPR theory to predict the electron domain and molecular geometries of molecules, including bond angles.

Stations RotationThink-Pair-Share
Hybridization of Orbitals

Explore the concept of orbital hybridization (sp, sp2, sp3, sp3d, sp3d2) to explain observed molecular geometries.

Concept MappingJigsaw
Molecular Polarity

Determine the polarity of molecules based on bond polarity and molecular geometry, relating it to macroscopic properties.

Decision MatrixGallery Walk
Types of Intermolecular Forces

Identify and describe the different types of intermolecular forces (London dispersion, dipole-dipole, hydrogen bonding).

Stations RotationThink-Pair-Share
IMFs and Physical Properties

Relate the strength of intermolecular forces to macroscopic physical properties like boiling point, melting point, and viscosity.

Inquiry CircleProblem-Based Learning
Solubility and IMFs

Investigate the principle of 'like dissolves like' and its connection to intermolecular forces in solution formation.

Case Study AnalysisExperiential Learning

02Energy Changes and Rates of Reaction

13 topics·Term 2

An investigation into the thermochemistry of chemical changes and the factors that influence the speed of a reaction.

Energy, Heat, and Work

Define energy, heat, and work in the context of chemical systems and apply the First Law of Thermodynamics.

Think-Pair-ShareProblem-Based Learning
Enthalpy Changes & Thermochemical Equations

Calculate enthalpy changes for reactions using standard enthalpies of formation and thermochemical equations.

Collaborative Problem-SolvingFlipped Classroom
Calorimetry & Heat Capacity

Perform calorimetry calculations to determine specific heat capacity, heat of reaction, and heat of solution.

Inquiry CircleExperiential Learning
Hess's Law & Enthalpy Calculations

Apply Hess's Law to calculate enthalpy changes for reactions that cannot be directly measured.

Problem-Based LearningDecision Matrix
Introduction to Reaction Rates

Define reaction rate and explore methods for measuring it, including concentration changes over time.

Flipped ClassroomCarousel Brainstorm
Factors Affecting Reaction Rates

Investigate how concentration, temperature, surface area, and catalysts influence reaction rates.

Inquiry CircleExperiential Learning
Collision Theory & Activation Energy

Apply collision theory to explain reaction rates, focusing on activation energy and molecular orientation.

Concept MappingSimulation Game
Rate Laws & Reaction Order

Determine rate laws from experimental data and identify the order of reaction with respect to each reactant.

Problem-Based LearningCollaborative Problem-Solving
Integrated Rate Laws & Half-Life

Use integrated rate laws to calculate concentrations at different times and determine reaction half-life.

Flipped ClassroomPeer Teaching
Reaction Mechanisms & Elementary Steps

Propose and evaluate reaction mechanisms, identifying elementary steps, intermediates, and catalysts.

JigsawDocument Mystery
Rate-Determining Step

Identify the rate-determining step in a reaction mechanism and explain its influence on the overall rate law.

Case Study AnalysisThink-Pair-Share
Catalysis: Homogeneous & Heterogeneous

Explore the role of catalysts in reaction mechanisms, differentiating between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis.

Expert PanelGallery Walk
Enzymes as Biological Catalysts

Investigate the principles of enzyme catalysis, including enzyme-substrate interactions and factors affecting enzyme activity.

Case Study AnalysisConcept Mapping

03Chemical Systems and Equilibrium

13 topics·Term 3

Exploring the dynamic nature of reversible reactions and the quantitative analysis of systems at equilibrium.

Reversible Reactions & Dynamic Equilibrium

Define reversible reactions and the concept of dynamic equilibrium where forward and reverse rates are equal.

Simulation GameThink-Pair-Share
Equilibrium Constant (Kc and Kp)

Derive and calculate the equilibrium constant (Kc and Kp) for homogeneous and heterogeneous equilibria.

Problem-Based LearningFlipped Classroom
Reaction Quotient (Q) & Equilibrium Prediction

Calculate the reaction quotient (Q) and use it to predict the direction a system will shift to reach equilibrium.

Decision MatrixCollaborative Problem-Solving
ICE Tables for Equilibrium Calculations

Use ICE (Initial, Change, Equilibrium) tables to solve for equilibrium concentrations or the equilibrium constant.

Peer TeachingStations Rotation
Le Chatelier's Principle: Concentration

Apply Le Chatelier's Principle to predict the shift in equilibrium caused by changes in reactant or product concentrations.

Case Study AnalysisInquiry Circle
Le Chatelier's Principle: Pressure & Volume

Predict equilibrium shifts in gaseous systems due to changes in pressure or volume.

Simulation GameThink-Pair-Share
Le Chatelier's Principle: Temperature & Catalysts

Analyze the effect of temperature changes and catalysts on equilibrium position and the equilibrium constant.

Concept MappingFormal Debate
Solubility Product Constant (Ksp)

Define the solubility product constant (Ksp) and write Ksp expressions for sparingly soluble ionic compounds.

Flipped ClassroomCollaborative Problem-Solving
Ksp Calculations & Molar Solubility

Calculate Ksp from molar solubility and vice versa, and predict precipitation using the ion product (Qsp).

Problem-Based LearningDecision Matrix
Common Ion Effect & Selective Precipitation

Investigate the common ion effect and its application in selective precipitation for separating ions.

Case Study AnalysisInquiry Circle
Complex Ion Equilibria

Explore the formation of complex ions and their impact on solubility and other chemical equilibria.

JigsawGallery Walk
Entropy and Spontaneity

Introduce the concept of entropy and its role in determining the spontaneity of chemical reactions.

Socratic SeminarConcept Mapping
Gibbs Free Energy & Equilibrium

Relate Gibbs free energy to spontaneity and the equilibrium constant, predicting reaction direction.

Problem-Based LearningFlipped Classroom

04Acid-Base Equilibria

14 topics·Term 4

Advanced study of proton transfer reactions, pH calculations, and the behavior of buffer systems.

Arrhenius & Brønsted-Lowry Acids/Bases

Compare and contrast the Arrhenius and Brønsted-Lowry definitions of acids and bases.

Concept MappingThink-Pair-Share
Acid/Base Strength & Ka/Kb

Relate acid and base strength to their ionization constants (Ka and Kb) and molecular structure.

Stations RotationDecision Matrix
Autoionization of Water & pH Scale

Investigate the autoionization of water, the ion product constant (Kw), and the pH/pOH scales.

Flipped ClassroomProblem-Based Learning
Calculations for Weak Acids & Bases

Perform equilibrium calculations for weak acids and bases, including percent ionization.

Collaborative Problem-SolvingPeer Teaching
Acid-Base Properties of Salts

Predict the pH of salt solutions based on the hydrolysis of their constituent ions.

Case Study AnalysisInquiry Circle
Lewis Acids and Bases

Introduce the Lewis definition of acids and bases, focusing on electron pair donation and acceptance.

Concept MappingJigsaw
Acid-Base Titrations & Equivalence Point

Analyze titration curves for strong acid-strong base, weak acid-strong base, and strong acid-weak base titrations.

Inquiry CircleExperiential Learning
Buffer Solutions: Composition & Function

Define buffer solutions and explain how they resist changes in pH upon addition of acid or base.

Case Study AnalysisSimulation Game
Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation

Apply the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation to calculate the pH of buffer solutions and design buffers.

Problem-Based LearningDecision Matrix
Electrochemistry: Redox Review

Review oxidation states, balancing redox reactions, and identifying oxidizing and reducing agents.

Peer TeachingCollaborative Problem-Solving
Galvanic Cells & Cell Potential

Construct galvanic (voltaic) cells, identify anode/cathode, and calculate standard cell potentials.

Simulation GameStations Rotation
Nernst Equation & Non-Standard Conditions

Apply the Nernst equation to calculate cell potentials under non-standard conditions and relate to concentration cells.

Problem-Based LearningFlipped Classroom
Electrolytic Cells & Stoichiometry

Investigate electrolytic cells, predict products of electrolysis, and perform stoichiometric calculations.

Case Study AnalysisCollaborative Problem-Solving
Applications of Electrochemistry

Explore real-world applications of electrochemistry, including batteries, corrosion, and electroplating.

Expert PanelGallery Walk