Ontario Grade 12 SCH4U Chemistry (Grade 12, University Preparation)
Chapters: 6
1. A. Scientific Investigation Skills and Career Exploration
A1 Scientific Investigation Skills · A2 Career Exploration
- The Scientific Method – The scientific method is the careful way scientists find out how the world works. Observe something, ask a testable question, make a hypothesis (a clear, testable guess), test it with a fair experiment (change one variable, measure one, keep the rest the same), repeat and record data, analyse it, draw a conclusion and share it so others can check. Results that fail the test are useful too: they send you back to a new hypothesis.
2. B. Organic Chemistry
B1 Relating Science to Technology, Society, and the Environment · B2 Developing Skills of Investigation and Communication · B3 Understanding Basic Concepts
- Carbon and Its Compounds: Bonding, Hydrocarbons and Naming – Carbon has 4 outer electrons, so it shares electrons (covalent bonds) instead of gaining or losing them. Because it bonds to itself (catenation) and always makes 4 bonds (tetravalency), it forms millions of compounds: chains, branches and rings, saturated or unsaturated. Compounds with the same functional group form a homologous series that differs by –CH₂–, and IUPAC names are built from the number of carbons + a suffix or prefix for the functional group.
3. C. Structure and Properties Of Matter
C1 Relating Science to Technology, Society, and the Environment · C2 Developing Skills of Investigation and Communication · C3 Understanding Basic Concepts
- Quantum Mechanical Model: Quantum Numbers, Orbitals and Configuration – Moving electrons also behave like waves: λ = h/mv (de Broglie). Because of this we cannot know exact position and momentum together: Δx·Δp ≥ h/4π (Heisenberg). So we drop sharp orbits and use orbitals: regions where the electron is likely to be, from the Schrödinger equation (ψ² gives probability). Four quantum numbers describe each electron: n (shell, size, energy), l (subshell, shape: 0 to n−1), mₗ (orientation: −l to +l) and mₛ (spin: +½ or −½). s is spherical, p is dumbbell, d is mostly four-lobed. Electrons fill by the Aufbau (n + l) rule, Pauli principle (max 2, opposite spins) and Hund's rule (single first). Half-filled and fully filled subshells are extra stable, so Cr is 3d⁵4s¹ and Cu is 3d¹⁰4s¹.
4. D. Energy Changes and Rates of Reaction
D1 Relating Science to Technology, Society, and the Environment · D2 Developing Skills of Investigation and Communication · D3 Understanding Basic Concepts
- Enthalpy, Calorimetry and Hess's Law – Enthalpy H = U + pV. At constant pressure the heat taken in or given out equals ΔH; at constant volume it equals ΔU. We measure ΔU in a sealed bomb calorimeter and ΔH in an open cup calorimeter, using q = C ΔT or q = m c ΔT. For gases, ΔH = ΔU + Δn_g RT. The reaction enthalpy ΔrH is negative for exothermic and positive for endothermic reactions, and ΔrH° = ΣΔfH°(products) − ΣΔfH°(reactants). Hess's law: the total enthalpy change is the same whether a reaction happens in one step or many, so thermochemical equations can be added like algebra.
5. E. Chemical Systems and Equilibrium
E1 Relating Science to Technology, Society, and the Environment · E2 Developing Skills of Investigation and Communication · E3 Understanding Basic Concepts
- Chemical Equilibrium: Kc, Kp, Q and Gibbs Energy – In a closed container a reversible reaction goes both ways. After some time the forward and backward rates become equal, so amounts stop changing, but the reaction does not stop. This is dynamic equilibrium. At equilibrium the ratio of products to reactants (each raised to its coefficient) is a fixed number, the equilibrium constant K. Kc uses concentrations, Kp uses partial pressures, and Kp = Kc(RT)^Δn. Pure solids and liquids are left out of K. The reaction quotient Q tells the direction: Q < K goes forward, Q > K goes backward, Q = K is equilibrium. K and Gibbs energy are linked: ΔG = ΔG° + RT ln Q and ΔG° = −RT ln K.
6. F. Electrochemistry
F1 Relating Science to Technology, Society, and the Environment · F2 Developing Skills of Investigation and Communication · F3 Understanding Basic Concepts
- Galvanic Cells and the Nernst Equation – A galvanic cell turns the energy of a redox reaction into electricity. Oxidation happens at the anode (−) and reduction at the cathode (+). Each electrode has a potential measured against the standard hydrogen electrode (0 V). E°cell = E°cathode − E°anode. The Nernst equation, E = E° − (0.059/n) log Q at 298 K, gives the cell voltage at any concentration, and ΔG = −nFE links voltage to energy.