Chemistry

Introduction

This new Leaving Certificate Chemistry specification will be introduced for fifth year students in September 2025 and will replace the current Leaving Certificate Chemistry syllabus There are five strands: a unifying strand, Nature of Science, and four contextual strands;

1. Nature of Science - Students develop an understanding that whilst science is powerful, generating knowledge that forms the basis for many advances and innovations in society, it has limitations and that the application of scientific knowledge to problem-solving can be influenced by considerations such as economic, social, sustainability and ethical factors.

2. The Nature of Matter - Students develop an understanding of the particulate nature of matter. This is emphasised through the kinetic theory of matter explaining the states of solids, liquids and gases.

3. Behaviour of Matter - With the particulate nature of matter as a model, students learn that many of the properties and behaviours of matter can be explained by the types of forces between particles and verified through experimental investigations. Behaviour of gases can be modelled through the kinetic theory of matter and the ideal gas equation.

4. Interactions of Matter - Students learn about the models used to explain energy transfer in chemical reactions and how proton and electron transfer are central to understanding interactions. These models are an important component of how scientists understand the natural world and how chemists can control and predict reaction outcomes.

5. Matter in Our World - Students have opportunities to specifically deepen their analytical skills and improve their personal effectiveness through learning practical and inquiry skills. They apply stoichiometric principles and laboratory techniques to prepare standard solutions, determine unknown concentrations, and solve abstract, conceptual problems.

Assessment

Useful Links

 https://www.curriculumonline.ie/Senior-cycle/Senior-Cycle-Subjects/Chemistry/