Chemistry 12 Learning Outcomes

The prescribed learning outcomes for Chemistry 12 have been coded for ease of reference for those compiling provincial exams.


A: Reaction Kinetics (Introduction)
B: Reaction Kinetics (Collision Theory)
C: Reaction Kinetics (Reaction Mechanisms and Catalysts)
D: Dynamic Equilibrium (Introduction)
E: Dynamic Equilibrium (Le Châtelier's Principle)
F: Dynamic Equilibrium (The Equilibrium Constant)
G: Solubility Equilibria (Concept of Solubility)
H: Solubility Equilibria (Solubility and Precipitation)
I: Solubility Equilibria (Quantitative Aspects)
J: Acids, Bases, and Salts (Properties and Definitions)
K: Acids, Bases, and Salts (Strong and Weak Acids and Bases)
L: Acids, Bases, and Salts (Kw , pH, pOH)
M: Acids, Bases, and Salts (Ka and Kb Problem Solving)
N: Acids, Bases, and Salts (Hydrolysis of Salts)
O: Acids, Bases, and Salts (Indicators)
P: Acids, Bases, and Salts (Neutralizations of Acids and Bases)
Q: Acids, Bases, and Salts (Buffer Solutions)
R: Acids, Bases, and Salts (Acid Rain)
S: Oxidation- Reduction (Introduction)
T: Oxidation- Reduction (Balancing Redox Equations)
U: Oxidation-Reduction (Electrochemical Cells)
V: Oxidation- Reduction (Corrosion)
W: Oxidation-Reduction (Electrolytic Cells)



A: Reaction Kinetics (Introduction)

A1. give examples of reactions proceeding at different rates
A2. describe rate in terms of some quantity (produced or consumed) per unit of time
A3. experimentally determine rate of a reaction
A4. identify properties that could be monitored in order to determine a reaction rate
A5. recognize some of the factors that control reaction rates
A6. compare and contrast factors affecting the rates of both homogeneous and heterogeneous rxns
A7. discuss situations in which the rate of reaction must be controlled

B: Reaction Kinetics (Collision Theory)

B1. demonstrate an awareness of the following:

  • reactions are the result of collisions between reactant particles
  • not all collisions are successful
  • sufficient kinetic energy (KE) and favourable geometry are required
  • to increase the rate of a reaction one must increase the frequency of successful collision
  • energy changes are involved in reactions as bonds are broken and formed
B2. describe the activated complex in terms of its potential energy (PE), stability, and structure
B3. define activation energy
B4. describe the relationship between activation energy and rate of reaction
B5. describe the changes in KE and PE as reactant molecules approach each other
B6. draw and label PE diagrams for both exothermic and endothermic reactions, including
D H, activation energy, and the energy of the activated complex
B7. relate the sign of
D H to whether the reaction is exothermic or endothermic
B8. write a chemical equation including the energy term (given a
D H value) and vice versa
B9. describe the role of the following factors in reaction rate:
  • nature of reactants
  • concentration
  • temperature
  • surface area

C: Reaction Kinetics (Reaction Mechanisms and Catalysts)

C1. use examples to demonstrate that most reactions involve more than one step
C2. describe a reaction mechanism as the series of steps (collisions) that result in the overall rxn
C3. define catalyst
C4. compare and contrast the PE diagrams for a catalyzed and uncatalyzed reaction in terms of:

C5. identify reactant, product, reaction intermediate, and catalyst from a given reaction mechanism
C6. describe the uses of specific catalysts in a variety of situations

D: Dynamic Equilibrium (Introduction)

D1. describe the reversible nature of most chemical reactions
D2. identify the reversible pathways of a chemical reaction on the PE diagram
D3. relate the changes in rates of the forward and reverse reactions to the changing concentrations of the reactants and products as equilibrium is established
D4. describe chemical equilibrium as a closed system at constant temperature:

D5. describe the dynamic nature of chemical equilibrium
D6. infer that a system not at equilibrium will tend to move toward a position of equilibrium
D7. determine entropy and enthalpy changes from a chemical equation (qualitatively)
D8. state that systems tend toward a position of minimum enthalpy and maximum randomness (entropy)
D9. predict the result when enthalpy and entropy factors:

E: Dynamic Equilibrium (Le Châtelier's Principle)

E1. describe the term shift as it applies to equilibria
E2. apply Le Châtelier's principle to the shifting of equilibrium involving the following:

E3. explain the above shifts using the concepts of reaction kinetics
E4. identify the effect of a catalyst on dynamic equilibrium
E5. apply the concept of equilibrium to a commercial or industrial process

F: Dynamic Equilibrium (The Equilibrium Constant)

F1. gather and interpret data on the concentration of reactants and products of a system at equilibrium
F2. write the expression for the equilibrium constant when given the equation for either a homogeneous or heterogeneous equilibrium system
F3. relate the equilibrium position to the value of Keq and vice versa
F4. predict the effect (or lack of effect) on the value of Keq of changes in the following factors: temperature, pressure, concentration, surface area, and catalyst
F5. calculate the value of Keq given the equilibrium concentration of all species
F6. calculate the value of Keq given the initial concentrations of all species and one equilibrium concentration
F7. calculate the equilibrium concentrations of all species given the value of Keq and the initial concentrations
F8. determine whether a system is at equilibrium, and if not, in which direction it will shift to reach equilibrium when given a set of concentrations for reactants and products

G: Solubility Equilibria (Concept of Solubility)

G1. classify solutions as ionic or molecular given the formula of the solute
G2. describe the conditions necessary to form a saturated solution
G3. describe solubility as the concentration of a substance in a saturated solution
G4. use appropriate units to represent the solubility of substances in aqueous solutions
G5. measure the solubility of a compound in aqueous solution
G6. describe the equilibrium that exists in a saturated aqueous solution
G7. write a net ionic equation that describes a saturated solution
G8. calculate the concentration of the positive and negative ions given the concentration of a solute in an aqueous solution

H: Solubility Equilibria (Solubility and Precipitation)

H1. describe a compound as having high or low solubility relative to 0.1 M by using a solubility chart
H2. use a solubility chart to predict if a precipitate will form when two solutions are mixed, and identify the precipitate
H3. write a formula equation, complete ionic equation, and net ionic equation that represent a precipitation reaction
H4.use a solubility chart to predict if ions can be separated from solution through precipitation, and outline the process
H5. predict qualitative changes in the solubility equilibrium upon the addition of a common ion
H6. identify an unknown ion through experimentation involving a qualitative analysis scheme
H7. devise a procedure by which the contaminating ions in hard or polluted water can be removed

I: Solubility Equilibria (Quantitative Aspects)

I1.describe the Ksp expression as a specialized Keq expression
I2. write a Ksp expression for a solubility equilibrium
I3. calculate the Ksp for AB and AB2type compounds when given the solubility of a compound
I4. calculate the solubility of AB and AB2 type compounds from the Ksp
I5. predict the formation of a precipitate by comparing the trial ion product to the Ksp value using specific data
I6. calculate the maximum concentration of one ion given the Ksp and the concentration of the other ion
I7. demonstrate and describe a method for determining the concentration of a specific ion

J: Acids, Bases, and Salts (Properties and Definitions)

J1. identify acids and bases through experimentation
J2. list general properties of acids and bases
J3. write balanced equations representing the neutralization of acids by bases in solution
J4. define Arrhenius acids and bases
J5. write names and formulae of some common acids and bases and outline some of their common properties, uses, and commercial names
J6. define Brönsted-Lowry acids and bases
J7. identify Brönsted-Lowry acids and bases in an equation
J8. write balanced equations representing the reaction of acids or bases with water
J9. identify an H30+ ion as a protonated H20 molecule that can be represented in shortened form as H+(aq)
J10. define conjugate acid-base pair
J11. identify the conjugate of a given acid or base
J12. show that in any Brönsted-Lowry acid-base equation there are two conjugate pairs present

K: Acids, Bases, and Salts (Strong and Weak Acids and Bases)

K1. relate electrical conductivity in a solution to the concentration of ions
K2. classify an acid or base in solution as either weak or strong by comparing conductivity
K3. define a strong acid and a strong base
K4. define a weak acid and a weak base
K5. write equations to show what happens when strong and weak acids and bases are dissolved in water (dissociation, ionization)
K6. compare the relative strengths of acids or bases by using a table of relative acid strengths
K7. identify and explain why the strongest acid in aqueous solutions is H30+ and the strongest base in aqueous solutions is OH-
K8. predict whether products or reactants are favoured in an acid-base equilibrium by comparing the strength of the two acids (or two bases)
K9. compare the relative concentrations of H30+ (or OH-) between two acids (or between two bases) using their relative positions on an acid strength table
K10. define amphiprotic
K11. identify chemical species that are amphiprotic
K12. describe situations in which H20 would act as an acid or base

L: Acids, Bases, and Salts (Kw , pH, pOH)

L1. write equations representing the ionization of water using either H30+ and OH- or H+ and OH-
L2. write the equilibrium expression for the ion product constant of water, Kw
L3. predict the effect of the addition of an acid or base to the equilibrium system: 2H2O(1)
D H30+(aq)+OH-(aq)
L4. state the relative concentrations of H30+ and OH- in acid, base, and neutral solutions
L5. state the value of Kw at 25°C
L6. describe the variation of the value of Kw with temperature
L7. calculate the concentration of H30+ (or OH-) given the other, using Kw
L8. describe the pH scale with reference to everyday solutions
L9. define pH and pOH
L10. define pKw , give its value at 25°C, and its relation to pH and pOH
L11. perform calculations relating pH, pOH, H30+, and OH-
L12. calculate H30+ or OH- from pH and pOH

M: Acids, Bases, and Salts (Ka and Kb Problem Solving)

M1. write Ka and Kb equilibrium expressions
M2.relate the magnitude of Ka or Kb to the strength of the acid or base
M3. given the Ka, Kb, and initial concentration, calculate any of the following:

M4. calculate the value of Kb for a base given the value of Ka for its conjugate acid (or vice versa)
M5. calculate the value of Ka or Kb given the pH and initial concentration

N: Acids, Bases, and Salts (Hydrolysis of Salts)

N1. write a dissociation equation for a salt in water
N2. write net ionic equations representing the hydrolysis of salts
N3. predict qualitatively whether a salt solution would be acidic, basic, or neutral
N4. determine whether an amphiprotic ion will act as a base or an acid in solution

O: Acids, Bases, and Salts (Indicators)

O1. describe an indicator as a mixture of a weak acid and its conjugate base, each with distinguishing colours
O2. describe the term transition point of an indicator, including the conditions that exist in the equilibrium system
O3. describe the shift in equilibrium and resulting colour changes as an acid or a base is added to an indicator
O4. predict the approximate pH at the transition point using the Ka value of an indicator
O5. predict the approximate Ka value for an indicator given the approximate pH range of the colour change

P: Acids, Bases, and Salts (Neutralizations of Acids and Bases)

P1. demonstrate an ability to design and perform a neutralization experiment involving the following:

P2. calculate from titration data the concentration of an acid or base
P3. calculate the volume of an acid or base of known molarity needed to neutralize a known volume of a known molarity base or acid
P4. write formula, complete ionic, and net ionic neutralization equations for: P5. calculate the pH of a solution formed when a strong acid is mixed with a strong base
P6. contrast the equivalence point (stoichiometric point) of a strong acid-strong base titration with the equivalence point of a titration involving a weak acid-strong base or strong acid-weak base

Q: Acids, Bases, and Salts (Buffer Solutions)

Q1. describe the tendency of buffer solutions to resist changes in pH
Q2. describe the composition of an acidic buffer and a basic buffer
Q3. outline a procedure to prepare a buffer solution
Q4. identify the limitations in buffering action
Q5. describe qualitatively how the buffer equilibrium shifts as small quantities of acid or base are added to the buffer
Q6. describe common buffer systems present in industrial, environmental, or biological systems

R: Acids, Bases, and Salts (Acid Rain)

R1. write equations representing the formation of acidic solutions or basic solutions from non-metal and metal oxides
R2. describe the pH conditions required for rain to be called acid rain
R3. relate the pH of normal rain water to the presence of dissolved CO2
R4. describe sources of Nox and SOx
R5. discuss general environmental problems associated with acid rain

S: Oxidation- Reduction (Introduction)

S1. define and apply the following:

S2. determine the following: S3. relate change in oxidation number to gain or loss of electrons
S4. from data for a series of simple redox reactions, create a simple table of reduction half-rxns
S5. identify the relative strengths of oxidizing and reducing agents from their positions on a half-reaction table
S6. use a table of reduction half-reactions to predict whether a spontaneous redox reaction will occur between any two species

T: Oxidation- Reduction (Balancing Redox Equations)

T1. balance a half-reaction in solution (acid, base, neutral)
T2. balance a net ionic redox reaction in acid and base solution
T3. write the equations for reduction and oxidation half-reactions given a redox reaction
T4. identify reactants and products for several redox reactions performed in a laboratory and balance the equations
T5.select a suitable reagent to be used in a redox titration in order to determine the concentration of a species
T6. determine the concentration of a species by performing a redox titration

U: Oxidation-Reduction (Electrochemical Cells)

U1. define, construct, and label the parts of an electrochemical cell
U2. identify the half-reactions that take place at each electrode
U3. predict the direction of movement of each type of ion in the cell
U4. predict the direction of flow of electrons in an external circuit
U5. predict which electrode will increase in mass and which will decrease in mass as the cell operates
U6. predict the voltage of the cell when equilibrium is reached
U7. assign voltages to the reduction half-reactions of oxidizing agents by comparison of several cells
U8. describe the significance of the E° of an electrochemical cell
U9. predict the voltage (E° ) of an electrochemical cell using the table of standard reduction half-cells
U10. predict the spontaneity of the forward or reverse reaction from the E° of a redox reaction
U11. describe how electrochemical concepts can be used in various practical applications

V: Oxidation- Reduction (Corrosion)

V1. describe the conditions necessary for corrosion to occur
V2. analyse the process of metal corrosion in electrochemical terms
V3. suggest several methods of preventing or inhibiting corrosion of a metal
V4. describe and explain the principle of cathodic protection

W: Oxidation-Reduction (Electrolytic Cells)

W1. define electrolysis and electrolytic cell
W2. design and label the parts of an electrolytic cell capable of electrolyzing an aqueous salt (use of overpotential effect not required)
W3. predict the direction of flow of all ions in the cell
W4. write the half-reaction occurring at each electrode
W5. demonstrate the principles involved in simple electroplating
W6. construct an electrolytic cell capable of electroplating an object
W7. describe the electrolytic aspects of metal refining processes
W8. draw and label the parts of an electrolytic cell used for electrolysis of a molten binary salt