Year 10 Science
Students receive four lessons per week in Year 10. Each discipline (Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Human Biology) is delivered in half units of five weeks duration as part of a rotation. The students are then able to make an informed decision when choosing subjects for Years 11 & 12 at the end of Semester One. The students complete the second half of the unit in the same order in Semester Two.
A select group of students are given the opportunity to start their WACE course through the study of Integrated Science.
- Biological Science
- Chemical Science
- Physical Science
- Human Biological Science
-
Integrated Science
A detailed breakdown of all of the lower school course objectives is available here.
Biological Science
Description
Biological Science - Students understand their own biology and that of other living things and recognise the interdependence of life. Emphasis is on: Interdependence of living things; Structure and function; Reproduction and change
By the end of this unit all of the students will be able to explain:
Interdependence of living things
- Explore the consequences of changes on the living and non-living components of an ecosystem* (e.g. drought affects vegetation, which eventually affects the population of high order consumers through increased competition for resources)
- Relationships in food chains can be represented by pyramids (Numbers); biomass decreases towards the top of the pyramid due to the loss of energy as it flows through the food chain
- Matter is cycled through ecosystems (e.g. carbon, Nitrogen)
- Pollution can cause materials such as pesticides and heavy metals to build up in food chains or pyramids (biomagnification)
- Be aware of field techniques used to gather data on ecosystems (e.g. quadrat sampling)
- Use scientific understandings and processes to make informed, responsible, ethical decisions about issues related to ecological sustainability, rehabilitation and retention of biodiversity, climate change*
- Recognise that the work of scientists is often multidisciplinary and collaborative and that Science can provide rewarding career pathways* (e.g. scientists from different disciplines, such as biologists, atmospheric scientists, physicists and computer modellers, contribute to our understanding of the environment)
Structure and function
- Cells have specific organelles for specific functions (e.g. chloroplasts, ribosomes)
- Specialized plant cells, (spongy mesophyll, palisade mesophyll, xylem)
Reproduction and change
- Components of reproductive systems (e.g. flowering plants, mammals)
- Particular adaptations have allowed organisms to survive through the ages (e.g. mouthparts related to diet, waxy leaves decrease water loss)
- Recognise that inherited characteristics are the result of genetic information being passed from parent to offspring
- Biodiversity enables some organisms to survive ecological change (eg if an area's climate gets warmer, different plant species can survive)
Some students will also be able to:
- Consequences of disruptions to matter cycles and energy flows in ecosystems (e.g. eutrophication, phytoplankton as a carbon sink)
- Explore issues related to ecological sustainability, rehabilitation and retention of biodiversity
- Respiration and photosynthesis occur as a cellular chemical reaction
- Adaptations are caused by genetic changes which give the organism survival advantages
- Examine the theory of evolution by natural selection to explain the diversity of living things*
Assessments:
Test 1: 30% | Test 2: 30%| Investigation: 30% | Homework: 10%
Physical Science
Description
This course is divided into three sections. The first deals with motion and Newton's three laws of motion. The second part looks at waves and their associated properties. These will be investigated through the example of light. The final stage gives a basic understanding of nuclear physics and its associated application to power generation. The course provides a suitable introduction to some of the units studied in Stage 2 Physics.
Core: by the end of this unit all of the students will understand/be able to:
- Describe how energy is carried by either waves or particles
- Calculate wavelength, frequency and period of a wave
- Set up and investigate wave properties using light boxes and associated equipment
- Use the law of reflection to describe both plane and curved mirrors.
- Understand that refraction or the bending of light is due to a change in speed of the wave along its length.
- Describe how a wave will move on striking a surface
- Explain how a lens uses refraction to control and bend light in a set direction.
- List the properties of electromagnetic waves
- Have a basic understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum and its applications
- Calculate velocities and acceleration for simple situations
- Use Newton's Law of Inertia (First Law) to explain the action of objects in uniform motion
- Calculate acceleration of an object using Newton's 2nd Law (F = ma)
- Draw free body diagrams to analyse forces on an object and use Newton's 3rd Law (equal and opposite forces) to analyse the motion of objects.
- Analyse motion using dynamics trolleys and ticker tape timers
- Realise the difference between mass and weight (Force of gravity)
- Understand that all objects fall at the same rate when in a gravitational field
- Determine the weight of an object located within the Earth's gravitational field (F = mg)
- Calculate the acceleration of gravity using ticker timers or other means
- Find the number of protons and neutrons from atomic mass and atomic number for various isotopes
- Describe how unstable nuclei may undergo radioactive decay to form stable isotope through alpha (a), beta (b) or gamma(g) decay
- Describe the properties of alpha (a), beta (b) and gamma decay (g) radiation
- Calculate decay series.
Extension-some students will also be able to:
- Use Newton's 2nd Law for more complex situations (accelerating lifts) etc
- Use mass equivalence equation to determine energy generated during fission or fusion reactions
Assessments:
Test 1 (Mechanics): 25% | Test 2 (Waves and light): 25% | Test 3 (Nuclear Physics): 25% | Investigation (Rate): 15% | Homework: 10%
Human Biology
Description
Human Biology - Students understand how the physical environment on Earth, and its position in the Universe, impact on the way we live. Emphasis is on:Structure and function; Reproduction and change; Genetics and Inheritance; Pathogens and foreign materials.
By the end of this unit all of the students will be able to explain:
Structure and function
- Cells have specific organelles for specific functions: terminology includes nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, cell wall, chloroplasts, vacuole, ribosome, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes.
- Cell nuclei contain chromosomes, which contain genes composed of DNA, that carries information about inherited characteristics.
- Structure and function at a cellular level related to tissue and organ levels (respiratory system e.g. cilia in lungs).
Reproduction and change
- Components of reproductive systems in both males and females (e.g. humans).
- Mitosis is a cell division process that allows organisms to grow, repair and reproduce asexually; it produces cells which are identical to the parent cell (students do not need to know the stages of this process).
- Meiosis is a cell division process which produces cells that have half the number of chromosomes of a normal cell and are known as gametes (students do not need to know stages of this process).
- Sexual reproduction requires the fusion of a male gamete and a female gamete (fertilisation), each containing genetic information that influences the offspring's characteristics.
- Sexual reproduction produces variety (diversity) in offspring due to the many possible combinations of the parents' genes.
- Assisted reproduction techniques (eg In Vitro Fertilisation [IVF], cloning), and other techniques are human interventions which can alter ecosystems.
Genetics and Inheritance:
- Dominant and recessive characteristics.
- Use punnet-square diagrams to determine the proportions of genotypes and phenotypes of offspring.
- Interpretation of pedigrees for autosomal conditions.
Pathogens and foreign materials:
- Types of pathogens: bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi.
- Example of diseases caused by each type with emphasis on mode of transmission and entry into body.
- The body recognises and reacts to foreign materials - first line of defence, phagocytosis, white blood cells and antibodies.
Some students will also be able to:
- Gas exchange including characteristics of respiratory surfaces.
- Maintenance of concentration gradients in lungs including breathing and blood flow.
- Genetically identical twins can be used to study difference between nature and nurture (influence of genes and environment).
- Mutations cause unexpected variations in offspring.
- Progress in science can be affected by social issues and priorities, such as issues with stem cell research, cloning.
Assessments:
Test 1: 30% | Test 2 : 30% | Investigation: 30% | Homework: 10%
Chemical Science
Description
It is assumed that students will be familiar with atomic structure (including ions), formulae and reaction rate. This course will be delivered in the context of The Chemistry of Building Materials. The RSC Practical activities are used to support the learning process. The emphasis is on preparation for stage 2 Chemistry, in particular the concept of reacting amounts. Additional emphasis is put on the inquiry based approach.
Core: by the end of this unit all of the students will understand/be able to:
- Understand the development that led to the modern periodic table and how Scientific understandings throughout history have been shaped by individuals and groups from diverse cultures. Use the ideas ofDalton,Rutherford, Doberiener, Newlands and Mendeleev to organise elements into a Periodic Table.
- Elements are arranged in the periodic table in groups which all have similar properties.
- Compare the relative charge and relative masses of protons, neutrons and electrons
- Identify elements using their atomic number (Z)
- Explain isotopes using their atomic number (Z) and mass number (A)
- Use the energy level or shell model of electron structure to write the electron configurations for the first twenty elements (Na 2, 8, 1)
- Explain the relationship between position on the Periodic Table and number of valence electrons of elements in groups 1, 2 and 13-18
- Explain the relationship between the number of valence electrons and chemical properties of elements in groups 1, 2 and 13-18
- Explain the formation of positive and negative ions for elements in groups 1, 2 and 13-18.
- Explain the Law of Conservation of Matter. A reaction can be illustrated using the reactants and products in a balanced equation. Write and interpret formulae of elements and compounds.
- Write equations for simple chemical reactions, including neutralisation and precipitation reactions, using state symbols where appropriate.
- Given the symbolic equation, write a balanced equation.
- Write ionic formulae given the valencies.
- Calculate relative formula mass (molar mass) of selected substances.
- Perform mass/mass calculations using chemical equations.
- Calculate % element in a compound and work out empirical formula.
- Explain reaction rate in terms of appearance of product or disappearance of reactants.
- Use qualitative data to describe reaction rates (time to complete) e.g. rusting is a slow reaction and precipitation is a fast reaction.
- Investigate factors that affect chemical changes involved in processes such as spoiling of food, corrosion control.
- Describe reactions in terms of Collision Theory and use it to explain the affect of changing temperature, concentration, surface area, or adding a catalyst. (P is for Y11)
Extension-some students will also be able to:
- Calculate moles for solids and solutions
- Perform mole/mole calculations using chemical equations.
- Perform mass/mole calculations using chemical equations.
- Draw and interpret Energy Profile Diagrams.
- Explain the relationship between collision theory, kinetic energy distribution graphs and the rate of a reaction.
Assessments:
Test 1 (Atomic structure and Periodic Table): 30% | Test 2 (Rate and Quantitative Chemistry): 30% | Investigation (Rate): 30% | Homework: 10%
