Number
AS90189
Version
1
Page 1 of 3
Achievement Standard
Subject Reference
Science 1.4
Title
Describe properties and reactions of groups of related
substances
Level
1
Subfield
Science
Domain
Science - Core
Registration date
Credits
13 December 2001
5
Assessment
Date version published
External
13 December 2001
This achievement standard involves the description of characteristic properties and reactions
of metals, acids, alkalis, simple hydrocarbons and alcohols.
Achievement Criteria
Achievement
Achievement with Merit
Achievement with
Excellence



Describe characteristic
properties and reactions
of related substances.
Explain characteristic
properties and reactions
of related substances.
Apply an understanding of
characteristic properties
and reactions of related
substances.
Explanatory Notes
1
This achievement standard is derived from Science in the New Zealand Curriculum,
Learning Media, Ministry of Education, 1993, achievement objectives 6.1 and 6.2, p.
100; Chemistry in the New Zealand Curriculum, Learning Media, Ministry of Education,
1994, achievement objectives 6.1 and 6.2, p. 18; and Pütaiao i roto i te Marautanga o
Aotearoa, Learning Media, Ministry of Education, 1996, 'Ö Kawekawe: Te Waonui',
pp. 64-65.
2
Related substances are limited to: metals, acids, alkalis, and simple hydrocarbons and
alcohols.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
Number
AS90189
Version
1
Page 2 of 3
3
Metals are limited to Li, Ca, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Pb, Cu and Au. Assessment of the
characteristic properties of metals will involve a selection from the following:

physical properties - electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, density, lustre,
malleability and ductility

relating the properties of metals to their uses

observations of reactions of metals with air, water, and acids (HCl, H2SO4,
CH3COOH)

word equations for reactions of metals with oxygen, water and acids (HCl, H2SO4).
4
Acids and alkalis - assessment of the characteristic properties and reactions will involve
a selection from the following:

effects on litmus, universal indicator

pH value

visible effects of acids on carbonates and hydrogen carbonates

naming products and writing word equations for reactions of acids (HCl, H2SO4,
HNO3, CH3COOH) with metal compounds (oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, and
hydrogen carbonates of Ca, Na, Cu (II), Fe (II), Fe (III) and Mg, where they exist)

naming or writing the formula of a given salt of type AB, A2B or AB2, and salts that
require a bracket around a polyatomic ion such as Al2(SO4)3 or Ca(OH)2, (using a
given table of ions).
5
Simple hydrocarbons are limited to C1-C6 straight chain alkanes, ethene, and propene.
Alcohols are limited to methanol and ethanol. Assessment of the characteristic
properties and reactions of simple hydrocarbons and alcohols will involve a selection
from the following:

naming and writing structural formulae

naming the products of complete and incomplete combustion

comparing the products and the amount of energy released from the complete and
incomplete combustion of fuels

writing balanced equations for complete combustion

comparing the solubility of simple hydrocarbons with that of methanol and/or
ethanol

linking the physical state of hydrocarbons to melting and/or boiling points and chain
length.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
Number
AS90189
Version
1
Page 3 of 3
Quality Assurance
1
Providers and Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications
Authority before they can register credits from assessment against achievement
standards.
2
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against
achievement standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those
achievement standards.
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0226
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016