Chemical sciences big ideas

The chemical sciences involve the study of the composition and properties of substances. This involves classifying substances, exploring physical changes (changes of state or dissolving), and how chemical changes result in the production of new substances.

This can be broken into two core concepts:

  • The chemical and physical properties of substances are determined by their structure at a range of scales.
  • Substances change and new substances are produced by rearranging atoms; these changes involve energy transfer and transformation.

More information on alternative conceptions held by students can be found on the Chemical science conceptions page in the Pedagogical Toolbox.

Ice cubes

Chemical and physical properties

The chemical and physical properties of substances are determined by their structure at a range of scales.

Melting chocolate

Changing substances

Substances change and new substances are produced by rearranging atoms; these changes involve energy transfer and transformation.