Research
NSW HSC Chemistry
- 8.2 The Chemical Earth
- 8.3 Metals
- 8.4 Water
- 8.5 Energy
- 9.2 Production of Materials
- 9.3 The Acidic Environment
- 9.4 Chemical Monitoring and Management
- 9.5 Option- Industrial Chemistry
- 9.6 Shipwrecks, Corrosion and Conservation
- 9.7 Option- The Biochemistry of Movement
- 9.8 Option- The Chemistry of Art
- 9.9 Option- Forensic Chemistry
8.2 The Chemical Earth
The Earth includes a clearly identifiable biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. All of these are mixtures of thousands of substances. The use of this pool of resources requires the separation of useful substances.
The living and non-living components of the Earth contain mixtures.
Australian scientists use industrial separation processes to obtain products from the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere or atmosphere.
8.3 Metals
Metals have been extracted and used for many thousands of years.
There are a range of alloys being produced by Australian scientists.
The relative abundance and ease of extraction of metals influences their value and breadth of use in the community.
Australian scientists research ways of predicting yield and identifying sites for mining and extraction of commercial ore deposits.
8.4 Water
Earth's position in the solar system enables its retention of water in solid, liquid and gaseous forms on and around its surface. The concepts of bonding and intermolecular forces are used to increase understanding of the special nature of the water molecule.
Water is an important solvent.
Australian scientists research the dissolution in water of various substances and solve problems by using models to show the changes that occur in particle arrangement as dissolution occurs.
8.5 Energy
Burning is one of the most common and oldest chemical reactions. People meet this in their everyday life in such varied ways as lighting a match, cooking with gas and using fires.
The arrival of the industrial revolution and the increased need for fuels to power machinery mean that humans have become increasingly dependent on fuels.
Living organisms make compounds which are important sources of energy.
Australian scientists research innovative ways to locate deposits of fossil fuels in Australia.
The rate of energy release is affected by factors such as types of reactants.
Australian scientists research the role of catalysts in changing the rate of chemical reactions.
9.2 Production of Materials
Humans have always exploited their natural environment for all their needs including food, clothing and shelter. Chemists and chemical engineers continue to play a pivotal role in the search for new sources of traditional materials such as those from the petrochemical industry. As the fossil organic reserves dwindle, new sources of the organic chemicals presently used have to be found. In addition, chemists are continually searching for compounds to be used in the design and production of new materials to replace those that have been deemed no longer satisfactory.
Fossil fuels provide both energy and raw materials such as ethylene, for the production of other substances.
Australian scientists research the polymerization process.
Some scientists research the extraction of materials from biomass to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
Research from Australian scientists contributes to progress in the recent development and use of biopolymers for fuel and other uses.
Other resources, such as ethanol, are readily available from renewable resources such as plants.
Australian scientists research processes involved in industrial production of ethanol from sugar cane.
Australian scientists research the use of ethanol as an alternative car fuel.
Nuclear chemistry provides a range of materials.
Australian scientists research the use of radioactive isotopes in industry and medicine.
9.3 The Acidic Environment
Acidic and basic environments exist everywhere. Many industries use acidic and basic compounds for a wide range of purposes and these compounds are found in daily use within the home.
While we usually think of the air around us as neutral, the atmosphere naturally contains acidic oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur. The concentrations of these acidic oxides have been increasing since the Industrial Revolution.
Australian scientists research industrial sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen and evaluate reasons for concern about their release into the environment.
9.4 Chemical Monitoring and Management
Much of the work of chemists involves monitoring the reactants and products of reactions and managing reaction conditions.
Australian scientists hold a variety of chemical occupations.
Human activity has caused changes in the composition and the structure of the atmosphere. Chemists monitor these changes so that further damage can be limited.
Australian scientists identify alternative chemicals used to replace chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
9.5 Option- Industrial Chemistry
Industry uses chemical reactions to produce chemicals for use by society.
Industrial chemistry processes have enabled scientists to develop replacements for natural products.
Australian scientists are involved in research responding to the need for a natural resource that is not a fossil fuel.
Saponification is an important organic industrial process.
Australian scientists study the impact of soaps and detergents on the environment.
9.6 Shipwrecks, Corrosion and Conservation
Electrochemistry plays an important part in both theoretical and practical chemistry. Today electrochemistry is used in a wide range of applications, from space travel to pacemakers to the mobile phone battery. The ocean represents a massive electrolyte and the effects of the saline environment can be investigated and analysed from the perspective of prevention of corrosion and its effects.
Ships have been made of metals or alloys of metals.
Australian scientists study composition, properties and uses of a range of steels.
Iron and steel corrode quickly in a marine environment and must be protected.
Australian scientists are involved in research to identify a variety of metals and alloys best suited for use in marine vessels.
Salvage, conservation and restoration of objects from wrecks requires careful planning and understanding of the behaviour of chemicals.
Australian scientists use a range of conservation and restoration techniques for maritime archaeological projects.
9.7 Option- The Biochemistry of Movement
Modern athletes are more aware of diet than previous generations, because more is known about the chemistry of the substances in their diet. An increased understanding of the nature of the biochemical reactions involved in muscular contraction leads to a better and more informed selection of foods.
Biochemists interested in sports performance will continue to seek natural methods of improving performance by paying close attention to the chains of enzyme-catalysed reactions occurring in cells.
Australian scientists study the nature, practice and applications of biochemistry as it applies to exercise.
9.8 Option- The Chemistry of Art
People have been fascinated by colour throughout time and artists have searched for pigments to colour their works. Until the advent of modern chemistry, many pigments were prepared from natural resources and the recipes for these pigments survived over thousands of years. Part of the continued need for restoration of medieval artworks results from the fading and peeling of pigments that were prepared without knowledge of the chemistry of the canvas or the paints. The advent of fireworks and coloured 'neon' lights are other examples of the use of colour.
From earliest times, people have used colour to decorate themselves and their surroundings.
Australian scientists are involved in research to study the chemical compositions of pigments.
9.9 Option- Forensic Chemistry
The signature shapes, compositions or behaviours of chemicals are useful tools in solving many problems faced by people in all sectors of our society. Forensic chemists work within the general field of analytical chemistry. They analyse compounds and mixtures of samples to identify the trends or patterns in evidence and draw conclusions from a wide range of investigations.
Much forensic evidence consists of very small samples and sensitive analytical techniques are required.
Australian scientists use analytical techniques to provide evidence about samples.