Page 118 - The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12: Science, 2008 (revised)

Grade 12, University Preparation
f1. analyse technologies and processes relating to electrochemistry, and their implications for society, health and safety, and the environment;
f2. investigate oxidation-reduction reactions using a galvanic cell, and analyse electrochemical reactions in qualitative and quantitative terms;
f3. demonstrate an understanding of the principles of oxidation-reduction reactions and the many practical applications of electrochemistry.
F1. Relating Science to Technology, Society, and the Environment
F2. Developing Skills of Investigation and Communication
f. electrochemiStry OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
By the end of this course, students will:
THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM, GRADES 11 AND 12 | science
SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS
By the end of this course, students will:
f1.1 assess, on the basis of research, the viability of using electrochemical technologies as alterna- tive sources of energy (e.g., fuel cells for emergency power generation or as power sources in remote locations), and explain their potential impact on society and the environ- ment [IP, PR, AI, C]
Sample issue: Hydrogen fuel cells use hydro- gen as the fuel and oxygen as the oxidant, and produce water, rather than environmentally harmful greenhouse gases, as waste. Although some cars run on such cells, practical problems must be resolved before this source of energy is commonly used in the transportation sector.
Sample questions: What is the capacity of a standard rechargeable battery before it has to be recharged? What methods should be used to dispose of depleted batteries? What impact has the use of rechargeable batteries in portable electronic devices had on society?
f1.2 analyse health and safety issues involving electrochemistry (e.g., corrosion of metal pipes in drinking water systems) [AI, C]
Sample issue: Corrosion is a leading cause of structural degradation of bridges and road- ways. Not only does rust weaken metal structures, but as it builds up it forces apart connecting parts of the structure, causing the structure to fail and risking public safety. Yet, methods used to prevent corrosion may also have negative effects on human health.
Sample questions: What health and safety hazards are associated with waste generated by electroplating companies? Why do metal orthodontic braces not corrode? What are some of the toxic substances that can escape from electronic waste into the environment? What are the potential effects of these poisons on
our health?
By the end of this course, students will:
f2.1 use appropriate terminology related to electrochemistry, including, but not limited to: half-reaction, electrochemical cell, reducing agent, oxidizing agent, redox reaction, and oxidation number [C]
f2.2 conduct an inquiry to analyse, in qualitative terms, an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction [PR, AI, C]
f2.3 write balanced chemical equations for oxidation-reduction reactions, using various methods including oxidation numbers of atoms and the half-reaction method of balancing [AI, C]
f2.4 build a galvanic cell and measure its cell potential [PR, AI]
f2.5 analyse the processes in galvanic cells, and draw labelled diagrams of these cells to show the oxidation or reduction reaction that occurs in each of the half-cells, the direction of electron flow, the electrode polarity (anode and cathode), the cell potential, and the direction of ion movement [AI, C]
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