polytetrafluoroethene

Polytetrafluoroethene is a very useful polymer. You can can find it encasing electrical wires, being sprayed out of a can of lubricant, and as the non-stick covering on your baking tray. So what is this remarkable polymer? How is it made? What are its properties and uses?
Find out the answers to these and other questions at AUS-e-TUTE.
AUS-e-TUTE members should log-in to view the polytetrafluoroethene tutorial, play the game and take the test and exam.
If you are not a member, you can access a "free-to-view" tutorial at https://www.ausetute.com.au/ptfe.html

Science Week 2019

Did you know it's Science Week in Australia (10^th to 18^th August 2019)
This year's theme is "Destination Moon: more missions, more science"
You can find events near you at https://www.scienceweek.net.au/
There is a downloadable pdf of classroom ideas available (https://www.scienceweek.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2019ASTA-DestinationMoon_ResourceBook.pdf)

How to Maximise Marks in Your Chemistry Exam

Are you ready for your chemistry exam?
The Sydney Morning Herald provided 8 dot points to help you answer Chemistry exam questions, which we have expanded out below:

• Write correctly balanced equations.(Include state, or phase, of matter)
• Structure your answers to ensure they are logical. Written calculations should be neatly organised and sequential.
  • If you dilute an acid with water at 25°C, the pH of the solution will not rise above 7
  • If you dilute a base with water at 25°C, the pH of the solution will not fall below 7
• Clearly label your graphs (plots, scale, axis, line of best fit).
• Use relevant scientific terminology.
  • Check your spelling! Ethane is NOT the same as ethene! Molarity is NOT the same as morality! Calorimetry is NOT the same as colorimetry!
  • If the question is about physical properties, think about intermolecular forces.
  • If the question is about chemical properties, think about intramolecular forces, and think about types of chemical reactions for inorganic chemicals and for organic chemicals (combustion, addition, substitution, elimination, condensation, polymerisation)
• Explain the underlying chemistry and provide relevant chemical equations.
  • Is it a gas question? Ideal Gas Law? Molar Volume? 
  • Precipitation question? Solubility Rules? Solubility Product? Gravimetric Analysis? Conductometric Analysis?  Argentimetric Analysis?
  • Equilibrium question? Equilibrium concepts? Le Chatelier's Principle? Equilibrium law?
  • Acid/base question? Definitions? Properties? Acid strength? Acid-dissociation constant? Neutralisation reaction? Titration techniques? Titration calculations?
  • Chemical kinetics question? Reaction rate? Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution?
  • Determination of organic structure? C-13 NMR, Mass Spectroscopy? IR Sopectroscopy?
• Use subscripts and superscripts where appropriate.
  • Formula of ions, superscript to right of symbol (number first followed by sign)
  • Formula of isotopes, mass number superscript to left of symbol, atomic number subscript to left of symbol 
  • Molecular formula or empirical formula, number of atoms of each element shown as a subscript to the right of the element's symbol
  • "States" or "phases" of matter are sometimes written as a subscript to the right of a molecular formula, eg, CO_2(g), but are usually written in line with with formula, eg, CO₂(g)
• Use stimulus materials to answer the question.
• Use clear labels when continuing responses in a different booklet.

ALWAYS check that you have answered the question that was asked, and not provided an answer to a question that you wish had been on the paper!