Unit 1: Chemistry and Our Earth - Assignment brief 1.
Erith School
Science Faculty
Course title: BTEC Applied Science Level 2
Tutor name:
Assignment
title:
Elements, Mixtures and Compounds
Science set
Learner
Name
Start date:
Deadline:
Unit 1: Chemistry and Our Earth.
CHEMISTRY ASSESSMENT 1.
Scenario
You are the education officer for a large chemical company which has just opened, you have
been asked to prepare posters, explaining the difference between elements mixtures and
compounds for a ‘meet the neighbours’ open day display.
Assessment evidence:
Unit
Grading criteria
The grading criteria that this assignment relates to:
1.
P1:
Identify different types of chemical substances.
M1:
Describe the differences between types of chemical substances.
D1:
Explain how the structure of different chemicals affects their
properties.
Summary assessor’s feedback:
Internal verifier’s comment:
Learner’s signature:
BTEC First Certificate / Level 2
Applied Science
Unit 1 – Chemistry and Our Earth
Assignment No 1 – “Elements, Mixtures and Compounds”
Task P1
 Identify if a substance is an element, mixture or compound from its name and from
knowledge of common substances.
 A chart of common elements (single name from Periodic Table), together with
compounds (Usually two names derived from the Elements) and mixtures (usually a
single name for a mixture of element and compounds).
BTEC TEXTBOOK
Assessment activities 1.1
Task M1
 Complete the above requirement.
 Describe the differences between elements, mixtures and compounds.
 This could include drawing or recognising diagrammatic representations of
elements, mixtures and compounds.
BTEC TEXTBOOK
Assessment activities 1.1
Task D1
 Explain the differences between elements, mixtures and compounds using four
specific examples.
 Explain how to show whether air is a mixture or a compound, how to show that
iron sulphide is a compound and not just a mixture of iron and sulphur.
 Assessment could take the form of a poster which uses examples to explain the
differences between elements, mixtures and compounds.
BTEC TEXTBOOK
Assessment activities 1.3
The grading criteria that this assignment relates to:
P1:
Identify different types of chemical substances.
M1:
Describe the differences between types of chemical substances.
D1:
Explain how the structure of different chemicals affects their
properties.
Unit 1: Chemistry and Our Earth - Assignment brief 2.
Erith School
Science Faculty
Course title: BTEC Applied Science Level 2
Tutor name:
Assignment
title:
How Physical Properties of
Substances Determine Their Uses
Learner
Name
Start date:
Science set
Deadline:
Unit 1: Chemistry and Our Earth.
CHEMISTRY ASSESSMENT 2.
Scenario
As part of the open day activities, you will need to present material showing how the physical
properties of some of the materials made by your company, determine their uses.
Assessment evidence:
Unit
Grading criteria
The grading criteria that this assignment relates to:
P2:
Carry out a practical investigation into the physical properties of
chemicals.
M2:
Explain how the physical properties of chemicals make them suitable
for their uses.
1.
Summary assessor’s feedback:
Internal verifier’s comment:
Learner’s signature:
BTEC First Certificate / Level 2
Applied Science
Unit 1 – Chemistry and Our Earth
Assignment No 2 – “How Physical Properties of Substances
Determine Their Uses”
Task P2
 learners could investigate, for example, the physical properties of substances related to
an industry (e.g. construction) or a use (e.g. a mobile phone).
 Learners could carry out simple comparisons of data for thermal or electrical conductivity,
melting point or boiling point and solubilities.
 They could identify trends in the data and make predictions for chemicals with similar
physical properties.
 Learners could also be given the boiling points of different chemicals and predict their
state at room temperature and pressure, e.g. the separate fractions obtained from the
fractional distillation of crude oil.
 Learners would have to relate the uses of the chemicals to their physical properties. At
least three chemicals should be studied. The tutor will have to select the substances
carefully so that the unit is delivered efficiently in terms of time. The examples should be
straightforward.
BTEC TEXTBOOK
Assessment activities 1.2
Task M2
 To achieve M2, learners would have to explain the uses of the chemicals in terms of their
physical properties.
BTEC TEXTBOOK
Assessment activities 1.2 and 1.3
The grading criteria that this assignment relates to:
P2:
Carry out a practical investigation into the physical properties of
chemicals.
M2:
Explain how the physical properties of chemicals make them suitable
for their uses.
Unit 1: Chemistry and Our Earth - Assignment brief 3.
Erith School
Science Faculty
Course title: BTEC Applied Science Level 2
Tutor name:
Assignment
title:
Electronic Structure and the
Periodic Table
Learner
Name
Start date:
Science set
Deadline:
Unit 1: Chemistry and Our Earth.
CHEMISTRY ASSESSMENT 3.
Scenario
Part of the presentation for the open day is to provide an explanation of the structure
of the periodic table in relation to electronic structure and reactivity.
Assessment evidence:
Unit
Grading criteria
The grading criteria that this assignment relates to:
P3:
Describe atomic structures of elements 1-20, found in the periodic
table
M3:
Describe the trends within the atomic structure of groups 1 and 7 in
the periodic table.
1.
Summary assessor’s feedback:
Internal verifier’s comment:
Learner’s signature:
BTEC First Certificate / Level 2
Applied Science
Unit 1 – Chemistry and Our Earth
Assignment No 3 – “Electronic Structure and the Periodic Table”
Task P3
 learners could either complete tables, create posters, visual presentations or
cards which describe the atomic structure of the first twenty elements.
 There should at least two examples of isotopes of elements included. Learners
could be given the structures of some of the elements 1 to 20 and asked to
work out the structures of some of the other elements from 1 to 20.
BTEC TEXTBOOK
Assessment activities 1.5
Task M3
 To achieve M3, the relationship between the position of the group in the
periodic table and the number of electrons in the outer shell should be
established.
 The addition of another shell of electrons on moving from lithium to sodium to
potassium to rubidium, and from fluorine to chlorine to bromine to iodine
should be described
BTEC TEXTBOOK
Assessment activities 1.5
The grading criteria that this assignment relates to:
P3:
Describe atomic structures of elements 1-20, found in the periodic
table
M3:
Describe the trends within the atomic structure of groups 1 and 7 in
the periodic table.
Unit 1: Chemistry and Our Earth - Assignment brief 4.
Erith School
Science Faculty
Course title: BTEC Applied Science Level 2
Tutor name:
Assignment
title:
Electronic Structure and the
Periodic Table
Learner
Name
Start date:
Science set
Deadline:
Unit 1: Chemistry and Our Earth.
CHEMISTRY ASSESSMENT 4.
Scenario
Part of the presentation for the open day is to provide an explanation of the structure
of the periodic table in relation to electronic structure and reactivity.
Assessment evidence:
Unit
Grading criteria
The grading criteria that this assignment relates to:
1.
P4:
Carry out an investigation into the chemical properties of elements
in groups 1 and 7.
M4:
Explain why the elements of groups 1 and 7 are mostly used in the
form of compounds.
D2:
Explain the trends in the chemical behaviour of the elements of
groups 1 and 7 in relation to their electronic structure
Summary assessor’s feedback:
Internal verifier’s comment:
Learner’s signature:
BTEC First Certificate / Level 2
Applied Science
Unit 1 – Chemistry and Our Earth
Assignment No 4 – “Electronic Structure and the Periodic Table”
Task P4
 learners should investigate the different chemical properties of the group 1 and 7
elements, such as how they react with water and air and place the elements in
their order of reactivity within the groups.
 For group 1 elements this could also include a consideration of how they are
stored and that they form alkaline compounds when they react with water.
 For group 7 elements their ability to form acidic compounds when they react with
water.
BTEC TEXTBOOK
Assessment activities 1.6
Task M4
 Complete the above requirement.
 Explain the stability of the compounds in groups 1 & 7 compared to their elements
(reference to noble gas structure).
 Find out about the uses of group 1 and 7 compounds.
BTEC TEXTBOOK
Assessment activities 1.7
Task D2
 Complete the above requirements to a high level.
 The scope of D2 should be limited to three chemicals, chosen by the tutor to
reflect the interests of the learners or local industry. Uses are to be in relation to
physical properties.
BTEC TEXTBOOK
Assessment activities 1.8
The grading criteria that this assignment relates to:
P3:
Carry out an investigation into the chemical properties of elements
in groups 1 and 7.
M4:
Explain why the elements of groups 1 and 7 are mostly used in the
form of compounds.
D2:
Explain the trends in the chemical behaviour of the elements of
groups 1 and 7 in relation to their electronic structure
Unit 1: Chemistry and Our Earth - Assignment brief 5.
Erith School
Science Faculty
Course title: BTEC Applied Science Level 2
Tutor name:
Assignment
title:
Controlling Industrial Reactions
Science set
Learner
Name
Start date:
Deadline:
Unit 1: Chemistry and Our Earth.
CHEMISTRY ASSESSMENT 5.
Scenario
As one of the chemists at a local plant, you have been asked to explain to the people
operating the chemical plant, the factors which affect rate, yield and atom economy
of reactions.
Assessment evidence:
Unit
Grading criteria
The grading criteria that this assignment relates to:
1.
P5:
Carry out an investigation to establish how factors affect the rates
of chemical reactions
M5:
Explain how different factors affect the rate of industrial reactions
D3:
Analyse how different factors affect the yield of industrial reactions.
Summary assessor’s feedback:
Internal verifier’s comment:
Learner’s signature:
BTEC First Certificate / Level 2
Applied Science
Unit 1 – Chemistry and Our Earth
Assignment No 5 – “Controlling Industrial Reactions”
Task P5
 To achieve P5, learners should investigate the effects of concentration, particle
size, temperature and presence of a catalyst on the rates of chemical reactions
and show that, for example, increasing temperature increases the rate of
reaction.
 This should involve at least one instance of collection of concentration data as a
function of time.
BTEC TEXTBOOK
Assessment activities 1.9 and 1.10
Task M5
 To achieve M5, learners should explain how changing the rates of reactions affects
certain industrial process.

Explain the stability of the compounds in groups 1 & 7 compared to their elements
BTEC TEXTBOOK
Assessment activities 1.9, 1.10 and 1.11
Task D3
 To achieve D3 learners should include an analysis of how different factors affect
the yield of an industrial reaction. This should include information on the
operating conditions used in industry for different reactions.
BTEC TEXTBOOK
Assessment activities 1.11
The grading criteria that this assignment relates to:
P5:
Carry out an investigation to establish how factors affect the rates
of chemical reactions
M5:
Explain how different factors affect the rate of industrial reactions
D3:
Analyse how different factors affect the yield of industrial reactions.
Unit 1: Chemistry and Our Earth - Assignment brief 6.
Erith School
Science Faculty
Course title: BTEC Applied Science Level 2
Tutor name:
Assignment
title:
Affecting the Environment
Science set
Learner
Name
Start date:
Deadline:
Unit 1: Chemistry and Our Earth.
CHEMISTRY ASSESSMENT 6.
Scenario
The editor of the local paper has asked you, as the chemist responsible for the
environmental impact of the company’s processes, to respond to an alarmist article
written by an environmental pressure group.
Assessment evidence:
Unit
Grading criteria
The grading criteria that this assignment relates to:
1.
P6:
Identify the human activities that are affecting the Earth and its
environment.
M6:
Describe how the choices humans make have an effect on the Earth
and its environment.
D4:
Explain possible solutions to the effect humans have on the Earth
and its environment.
Summary assessor’s feedback:
Internal verifier’s comment:
Learner’s signature:
BTEC First Certificate / Level 2
Applied Science
Unit 1 – Chemistry and Our Earth
Assignment No 6 – “Affecting the Environment”
Task P 6
 Learners should identify the environmental consequence of at least two human
activities as outlined in the content and their benefits, drawbacks and risks, which
may have ethical implications.
BTEC TEXTBOOK
Assessment activities 1.13
Task M6
 Learners will have to describe how humans exercise choices which could limit or
worsen the effects of the environmental damage that they cause. This could be in
relation to the two activities, identified in P6.

Explain the stability of the compounds in groups 1 & 7 compared to their elements
BTEC TEXTBOOK
Assessment activities 1.13 and 1.14
Task D4
 To achieve D4, learners should explain how the effects of at least two
environmentally damaging human activities may reduced. This may be in relation
to the activities identified in P6.
BTEC TEXTBOOK
Assessment activities 1.14 and 1.15
The grading criteria that this assignment relates to:
P6:
Identify the human activities that are affecting the Earth and its
environment.
M6:
Describe how the choices humans make have an effect on the Earth
and its environment.
D4:
Explain possible solutions to the effect humans have on the Earth
and its environment.
Unit 1: Chemistry and Our Earth - Assignment brief 7.
Erith School
Science Faculty
Course title: BTEC Applied Science Level 2
Tutor name:
Assignment
title:
Affecting the Environment
Science set
Learner
Name
Start date:
Deadline:
Unit 1: Chemistry and Our Earth.
CHEMISTRY ASSESSMENT 7.
Scenario
The editor of the local paper has asked you, as the chemist responsible for the
environmental impact of the company’s processes, to respond to an alarmist article
written by an environmental pressure group.
Assessment evidence:
Unit
Grading criteria
The grading criteria that this assignment relates to:
P7:
Identify natural factors that have changed the surface of the Earth
and its environment.
M7:
Describe the ways that natural factors have changed the surface
and atmosphere of the Earth over millions of years.
1.
Summary assessor’s feedback:
Internal verifier’s comment:
Learner’s signature:
BTEC First Certificate / Level 2
Applied Science
Unit 1 – Chemistry and Our Earth
Assignment No 7 – “Affecting the environment”
Task p7
 To achieve P7, learners should identify at least two natural factors, for example
volcanic eruptions or movement of tectonic plates, and state how these factors
have changed the atmosphere or surface of the Earth.
BTEC TEXTBOOK
Assessment activities 1.12
Task M7
 To achieve M, requires more description and requires the learner to consider the
effects of several events like those discussed in P7 which have happened over
millions of years.

Explain the stability of the compounds in groups 1 & 7 compared to their elements
BTEC TEXTBOOK
Assessment activities 1.12
The grading criteria that this assignment relates to:
P7:
Identify natural factors that have changed the surface of the Earth
and its environment.
M7:
Describe the ways that natural factors have changed the surface
and atmosphere of the Earth over millions of years.