Course Content Information
The National 5 Chemistry curriculum develops a pupils interest and enthusiasm for chemistry through scientific inquiry and investigation. The chemistry concepts taught are contextualised with real world examples and pupils are encouraged to investigate the applications of chemistry. The National 5 course consists of 3 Units. The units and their respective key areas are detailed below:
Chemical Changes and Structure
- Rates of reaction
- Atomic structure and bonding related to properties of materials
- Formulae and reacting quantities
- Acids and bases
Nature’s Chemistry
- Homologous series
- Everyday consumer products
- Energy from fuels
Chemistry in Society
- Metals
- Plastics
- Fertilisers
- Nuclear chemistry
- Chemical analysis
Course Assessment Information
This course assessment structure for this course is dictated by the SQA. There are two parts to this assessment structure:
- Assignment – this written piece of work is completed under controlled conditions and is worth 20 marks. The assignment assess the application of skills of scientific enquiry and related chemistry knowledge and understanding.
- Exam – The purpose of the exam paper is to assess breadth, challenge, and application of skills, knowledge and understanding from across the course. This question paper is sat under exam conditions and is worth 100 marks.
SQA Course Information
Detailed course specifications and understanding standards materials can be accessed from the National 5 Chemistry SQA site
