Term 1

Term 1 was focused on Chemistry, specifically elements, and the periodic table.We also learned about acids and alkalis, and also how chemical equations worked.

Elements are the building blocks of non-life, with the building blocks of life being cells. Everything is made up of elements. The oxygen we breathe, the carbon dioxide we exhale, and even the water we drink, is made up of elements. Oxygen is made up of well, oxygen atoms, carbon dioxide is made up of carbon and oxygen atoms, and water made up of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. As such, without elements, many things would not exist.

The periodic table is a useful tool, for it catalogs most, if not all of the elements, and even separates them into different groups and such, which classifies the different elements according to their characteristics. This makes it easier for scientists to predict the characteristics of undiscovered or unidentified elements.

Acids and alkalis exist everywhere, and many household items like toothpaste or cleaning liquid make use of acids or alkalis to work their magic. Acids also do much of our bodily functions. For example, our saliva is acidic, and the acid in our stomach is hydrochloric acid.

Chemical equations act like mathematical equations, when two or more elements combine to form compounds. Sometimes more is needed of one element, and chemical equations help us to balance out the elements and number required.

Chemistry was an interesting subject, and we did many practicals, which served to prove to us how the elements worked, and it was very memorable.