Grade 11: Chemistry

The BC Grade 11 Chemistry course is formally called Chemistry 11. It introduces students to the fundamental principles and theories of chemistry, with a strong emphasis on laboratory skills, problem-solving, and understanding the molecular basis of matter.

The following outline breaks down the content into the core units as they are typically presented.

Chemistry 11 – Course Contents Outline

Big Ideas of the Course:

• Atoms and molecules are building blocks of matter.

• Matter and energy are conserved in chemical reactions.

• Solubility within a solution is determined by the nature of the solute and solvent.

• The mole is a quantity used to measure chemical substances.

Unit 1: The Nature of Chemistry & The Scientific Method

• Key Concepts:

  • Introduction to Chemistry: Its scope and importance.

  • The Scientific Method: Observation, hypothesis, experimentation, theory, law.

  • Safety in the Chemistry Laboratory: WHMIS symbols, safe practices.

  • Physical vs. Chemical Properties and Changes.

  • Classification of Matter: Pure substances (elements, compounds) vs. Mixtures (homogeneous, heterogeneous).

  • Quantitative Data: Measurement, significant figures, scientific notation, SI units, and unit conversion (dimensional analysis).

• Curricular Competencies Focus: Questioning, Planning, and Conducting.

Unit 2: Atoms, Molecules, and The Mole

• Key Concepts:

  • Atomic Theory: Historical development (Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr).

  • Structure of the Atom: Protons, neutrons, electrons; atomic number, mass number, isotopes.

  • The Periodic Table: Organization (groups/periods), metals/non-metals/metalloids, basic trends (e.g., atomic radius, reactivity).

  • Ions and Ionic Compounds: Cations and anions, writing formulas for ionic compounds, naming (IUPAC).

  • Covalent Compounds: Molecules, writing formulas, naming (using prefixes).

  • The Mole Concept:

    • The mole as a counting unit (Avogadro’s number: 6.022×10236.022×1023).

    • Molar mass and conversions between moles, mass, and number of particles.

• Curricular Competencies Focus: Processing and analyzing data, Evaluating.

Unit 3: Chemical Reactions

• Key Concepts:

  • Evidence of Chemical Change.

  • Law of Conservation of Mass and Energy.

  • Writing and Balancing Chemical Equations: Skeleton equations, balanced equations with physical states.

  • Types of Chemical Reactions:

    • Synthesis (Combination)

    • Decomposition

    • Single Replacement

    • Double Replacement

    • Combustion (of hydrocarbons)

  • Predicting Products for simple reactions.

  • Stoichiometry: Mole-to-mole, mass-to-mass, and limiting reactant calculations.

• Curricular Competencies Focus: Applying and innovating, Problem-solving.

Unit 4: Solution Chemistry

• Key Concepts:

  • Introduction to Solutions: Solute, solvent, solubility.

  • The Polar Nature of Water and its role as a “universal solvent.”

  • Concentration:

    • Molarity (M = mol/L) calculations.

    • Preparation of solutions of a given concentration.

    • Dilution calculations (M1V1=M2V2M1​V1​=M2​V2​).

  • Solubility: Factors affecting solubility (temperature, pressure), saturated/unsaturated/supersaturated solutions.

  • Precipitation Reactions and the formation of insoluble salts.

  • Acids and Bases:

    • Properties of acids and bases (Arrhenius theory).

    • Common acids and bases.

    • The pH scale.

    • Neutralization reactions.

• Curricular Competencies Focus: Processing and analyzing data, Communicating.

Unit 5: Organic Chemistry (Introductory)

• Key Concepts:

  • Unique Properties of Carbon: Catenation, tetravalency.

  • Hydrocarbons: Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes.

  • Basic IUPAC Naming for simple straight-chain and branched hydrocarbons (up to 10 carbons).

  • Structural Isomers.

  • Bonding: Single, double, and triple bonds.

  • Introduction to Functional Groups (e.g., alcohols, carboxylic acids) may be introduced.

  • Combustion Reactions of Hydrocarbons.

• Curricular Competencies Focus: Communicating, Evaluating.

Additional Potential Topics (Varies by School/Teacher)

• Gases: Kinetic Molecular Theory, gas laws (Boyle’s, Charles’, Combined), the Ideal Gas Law ($PV=nRT$).

• Molecular Geometry & Bonding: Lewis Structures, VSEPR theory, and polarity.

Curricular Competencies (The “Doing” of Science)

Throughout all units, students will be expected to develop these skills:

• Questioning and Predicting

• Planning and Conducting

• Processing and Analyzing Data and Information

• Evaluating

• Applying and Innovating

• Communicating

This outline provides a solid foundation for what a student can expect to learn in BC’s Chemistry 11 course. The emphasis is on building a strong conceptual understanding of the molecular world and developing the quantitative and laboratory skills essential for success in Chemistry 12.