Week 1

Distinguish between physical and chemical properties and changes.

A physical change occurs when a substance alters its physical form but not composition. A chemical change involves changing one substane into another substance. Physical properties are the properties that a substance shows by itself, without changing or interacting with another substance (colour, melting point, conductivity, density, surface tension). Chemical properties are the properties of a substance that result in the formation of a new substance (flammability, corrosiveness, reactivity with acid).

Explain how atoms are made from protons, neutrons and electrons

Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter, composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons reside in the nucleus, while electrons orbit around the nucleus in energy levels.

Discuss the relative size of the nucleus and the atom

The nucleus of an atom is very small compared to the overall size of the atom. While the nucleus contains most of the atom's mass due to protons and neutrons, the electrons occupy a larger volume around the nucleus, giving the atom its size.

Explain the relationship between frequency, wavelength and energy for waves

Frequency and wavelength are inversely related; as one increases, the other decreases. Higher frequency waves have more energy, while lower frequency waves have less energy, following the equation E = hf.

Appreciate the wave and particle natures of light.

Light has a wave-particle duality. It exhibits properties of both waves, such as interference and diffraction (double slit experiment), and particles, as seen in the photoelectric effect.

Discuss matter

Matter can either be a pure substance or mixture. A pure substance is called homogenous. A mixture can be heterogeneous or homogenous. Homogenous is when its composition is uniform throughout, while heterogeneous has a composition that varies.