South Sudan Secondary Chemistry S-2

This course covers fundamental chemistry concepts, building upon the knowledge acquired in Secondary 1. It emphasizes a practical approach to learning, incorporating experiments and real-life applications. The curriculum is designed to equip students with lifelong skills applicable in a global context. The course content is based on the South Sudan Ministry of General Education and Instruction approved textbook.

Unit 1: The Atmosphere and Properties of Common Gases

This unit explores the composition of the atmosphere, focusing on the properties of common gases. Students will learn about:

• Air as a mixture: Composition and variability of air, including the percentages of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and noble gases.
• Determining the percentage of oxygen in air: Experiments involving burning candles, copper, iron, and phosphorus to determine oxygen content.
• Properties of common gases: Investigating the properties of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor through laboratory experiments.
• Large-scale production of oxygen: Fractional distillation of liquid air.
• Kinetic molecular theory: Explaining the properties of gases using this theory.

Unit 2: Atomic Structure, The Periodic Table, and Bonding

This unit delves into the structure of atoms, the organization of the periodic table, and the formation of chemical bonds. Topics covered include:

• Structure of the atom: Subatomic particles (protons, neutrons, and electrons), atomic number, mass number, and isotopes.
• The periodic table: Arrangement of elements, periods, groups, and trends in properties.
• Ion formation: Cations and anions, ionization energy, and electron affinity.
• Bond formation: Ionic, covalent, coordinate (dative), and metallic bonding.
• Hydrogen bonding.

Unit 3: Formation of Salts and Electrolysis

This unit focuses on the formation of salts and the principles of electrolysis. Key concepts include:

• Methods of preparing salts: Reactions of acids with metals, insoluble bases, insoluble carbonates, and alkalis. Preparation of insoluble salts by precipitation and direct combination.
• Writing ionic equations: Representing reactions involving salts using ionic equations.
• Action of heat on salts: Decomposition of carbonates, hydrogencarbonates, nitrates, and sulphates.
• Electrolysis: Electrolytes and non-electrolytes, electrolytic cells, electrodes (anode and cathode), and preferential discharge of ions.
• Applications of electrolysis: Extraction and refining of metals, electroplating, and the manufacture of sodium hydroxide, chlorine, and hydrogen.

Unit 4: Carbon, Its Atomic Structures and Compounds

This unit explores the element carbon, its allotropes, and its compounds. Topics include:

• Allotropes of carbon: Diamond, graphite, and amorphous carbon (charcoal, lampblack, soot, coal, and coke).
• Properties of carbon: Combustion and reducing properties.
• Oxides of carbon: Carbon dioxide (laboratory preparation, properties, and uses) and carbon monoxide (formation, properties, and uses).
• Carbonates: Properties, action of heat, and reaction with dilute acids.
• Large-scale manufacture of sodium carbonate: The Solvay process.
• The carbon cycle: Movement of carbon in the ecosystem.
• Environmental impact of carbon compounds: Greenhouse effect and global warming.