Second Year Syllabus

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Biology

Main Topic

 

Sub-topics

 

Students should be able to

 

Text

 

1A1: Food

 

 

phet

 

food crossword

contents of a variety of food products as described on their labels

food as a necessary source of energy and as a growth material for the body

constituents of a balanced diet

 

OB1: recall that a balanced diet has six constituents: carbohydrates (including fibre), fats, protein, minerals, vitamins and water, each with different functions

OB2: describe a food pyramid and give examples of types of food recommended in a balanced diet

OB3: carry out qualitative food tests for starch, reducing sugar, protein and fat

OB4: read and interpret the energy values indicated on food product labels and compare the energy content per 100 g of a number of foods, and identify the food types on the label that form part of a balanced diet

OB5: investigate the conversion of chemical energy in food to heat energy

 

4

 

1A2: Digestion

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major parts and functions of the digestive system

teeth, types and function

 

OB6: identify and locate the major parts of the digestive system including the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, small intestine and large intestine, and know their functions

OB7: identify molars, premolars, canines and incisors, and describe their functions

 

5

 

1A3: Enzymes

 

enzyme action

 

OB8: investigate the action of the enzyme amylase on starch; name the substrate, product and enzyme

 

5

 

1A4: Aerobic Respiration

skoool.ie

 

 

diaphragm

how breathimg works video

heart

respiration as release of energy from digested food

energy conversion from chemical energy to heat energy

human breathing rate

the breathing system and its role in gaseous exchange , including the effects of smoking

 

OB9: describe the process of aerobic respiration by means of a word equation and understand that aerobic respiration requires the presence of oxygen

OB10: demonstrate the products of aerobic respiration

OB11: carry out qualitative tests to compare the carbon dioxide levels of inhaled and exhaled air

OB12: describe how oxygen is taken into the bloodstream from the lungs and how carbon dioxide is taken into the lungs from the bloodstream during gaseous exchange and how these processes are affected by smoking

 

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1A5: Circulatory system

skoool.ie

heart

The heart

 

heart

composition and function of blood

structure and function of the heart

passage of blood through heart and main body organs

factors affecting human pulse rate

 

OB13: describe the function and composition of blood (white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets in a liquid called plasma) and state the function of each component

OB14: state the function of the heart; describe its structure, identifying the four chambers; explain the difference between the left ventricle and the right ventricle

OB15: describe the passage of blood through the heart and lungs via arteries and veins, identify the pulmonary artery and vein, aorta and vena cava, and distinguish between arteries, veins and capillaries

OB16: demonstrate the effect of exercise and rest on pulse and breathing rate and appreciate that a balance of each promotes good health

OB17: recall that the average rate for an adult at rest is 70 b.p.m., and explain why exercise results in increased pulse and breathing rates

OB18: recall that the normal temperature of the human body is 37oC, and that illness may cause a change in body temperature

OB19: associate the circulation of the products of digestion around the body with their absorption into the bloodstream

 

8

 

1A6: Excretion

 

the functions of the lungs, kidneys and skin in the excretion of waste products made in the body

 

OB20: state the function of the urinary system; describe its structure, identifying the bladder, renal artery, renal vein, ureter, urethra and kidney

OB21: name the products of excretion: CO2, water and urea

OB22: describe the function of the skin in the excretion of waste products made in the body

OB23: recall that waste products are removed from the bloodstream by filtration in the kidneys in the form of urine, which contains urea, water and salts, ; recall that urine is stored in the bladder before being released from the body

 

9

 

1C5: Photosynthesis

skoool.ie

Photosynthesis

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word equation for photosynthesis

conversion of light energy into chemical energy

phototropism and geotropism

 

OB48: describe, using a word equation, how plants make their own food through photosynthesis

OB49: show that starch is produced by a photosynthesising plant

OB50: investigate the growth response of plants to light (phototropism) and gravity (geotropism)

 

14

 


 

Chemistry

Main Topic

 

Sub-topics

 

Students should be able to

 

Text

 

2C1: Basic atomic structure

skoool.ie

phet build an atom

phet isotopes

building atoms

atom structure

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structure of atom

location, relative charge and relative atomic mass of the sub-atomic particles

atomic number, mass number

Ted Ed

mendeleev

 

OC39: describe the structure of the atom; state the location, relative charge and relative atomic mass of the sub-atomic particles; define atomic number and isotope

 

29

 

2A4: Metals

skoool.ie

 

 

examples of metallic elements and their symbols: copper, zinc, aluminium, iron, silver and gold

properties of metals

alloys

 

OC6: recall that metals conduct electricity and heat

OC7: identify everyday applications of metals, for example in industry, in the making of jewellery

OC8: recall the symbols of the metallic elements Cu, Zn, Al, Fe, Ag, and Au

OC10: recall that metals are shiny (lustrous), can be beaten into shape (malleable) and can be stretched (ductile)

OC11: classify an alloy as a mixture and state one use each of the alloys : solder, steel, brass and bronze

 

33

 

2C2: Bonding

How atoms bond

skoool.ie

youtube

 

heart

heart

 

 

molecules as groups of atoms

Bohr model of atom

stability associated with noble gas electronic configuration as a guide for simple bonding

simple understanding of ionic and covalent bonding

examples of covalent compounds (methane and water)

examples of ionic compounds (NaCl and MgO)

properties of ionic and covalent substances

 

OC40: draw the Bohr structure of the first 20 elements

OC41: relate the formation of compounds to the combination of atoms

OC42: recall that ionic bonding is an attraction between positive and negative ions; describe the bonding in NaCl and MgO as examples

OC43: state what a molecule is, recall that covalent bonds involve the sharing of pairs of electrons, and describe the bonding in H2, O2, H2O, CH4 as examples of covalent bonding

OC44: investigate the ability of ionic and covalent substances to conduct electricity

 

31

 

2B2: Carbon dioxide

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preparation and properties of carbon dioxide

density of carbon dioxide (qualitative only)

acidity of a solution of carbon dioxide in water

 

OC27: prepare carbon dioxide (word equation and chemical equation), and show that it does not support combustion

OC28: carry out simple tests on carbon dioxide involving its reaction with limewater (word equation and chemical equation), and with moist litmus paper

OC29: investigate the density of carbon dioxide relative to air (qualitative only), and state two uses of carbon dioxide

 

26

 

2C3: Rusting and Corrosion

rusting as a chemical process

conditions necessary for rusting

prevention of rusting

 

OC45: appreciate that rusting is a chemical process that changes iron into a new substance

OC46: carry out an experiment to demonstrate that oxygen and water are necessary for rusting

OC47: list three examples of methods of rust prevention: paint, oil, galvanising

 

33

 

2C4: Metals

skooool.ie

 

heart

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properties of Group 1 metals

reaction of Group 1 metals with air and water (word equation only)

relative reactivities of Ca, Mg, Zn, and Cu

alkaline earth metals

 

OC48: describe the general properties of the alkali metals and recall that alkali metals are in Group I of the Periodic Table and have similar properties

OC49: describe the reactions of the alkali metals with air and water; give the word equations for their reaction with water

OC50: recall that Group II elements are the alkaline earth metals

OC51: investigate the reaction between zinc and HCl, and test for hydrogen (word equation and chemical equation)

OC52: investigate the relative reactivities of Ca, Mg, Zn and Cu based on their reactions with water and acid (equations not required)

 

33

 

2B5: Acids and bases

(note; student's should revise 2A8, from First Year syllabus)

skoool.ie

 

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names of the common strong acids and bases

reactions of acids and bases

production of a sample of salt

 

OC35: state the names and formulae of common strong acids and bases: H2SO4, HCl, NaOH, Ca(OH)2, and recall that alkalis are soluble bases

OC36: show the neutralisation of an acid with a base using an indicator

OC37: understand that, when an acid reacts with a base, a salt and water are formed

i) HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O (word equation only at Ordinary level)

ii)2HCl + CaCO3 → CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O (word equation only at Ordinary level)

OC38: titrate HCl against NaOH, and prepare a sample of NaCl.

 

28

 


 

Physics

Main Topic

 

Sub-topics

 

Students should be able to

 

Text

 

3A1: Measurement in science

phet density

heart

Derived data; speed /velocity /acceleration /density

(Note: students should revise 3A1 material from First Year syllabus)

 

OP1: measure length, mass, time and temperature (SI units); perform simple calculations based on these to find the derived quantities: area, volume, density, speed, velocity and acceleration

 

35

 

3A2: Density and flotation

phet density

ted ed

flotation for solids and liquids

relating flotation to density

 

OP2: measure mass and volume of fixed quantities of a variety of solids and liquids and hence determine their densities

OP3: investigate flotation for a variety of solids and liquids in water and other liquids, and relate the results of this investigation to their densities

 

35

 

3A3: Forces and moments

skooool.ie

skoool.ie

phet

presure of atmosphere demo

Balance the Lever

Balance moments challenge

phet

Gravity

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forces, effects of forces

extension of a spring

friction, everyday applications of friction, lubrication

the force of gravity (weight) and its relationship to mass

centre of gravity and its importance in design

equilibrium, the law of the lever, everyday applications of levers

 

OP4: appreciate the concept of force, recall that the Newton is the unit of force, describe forces and their effects

OP5: investigate examples of friction and the effect of lubrication

OP6: investigate the relationship between the extension of a spring and the applied force spreadsheet

OP7: recall that weight is the force of gravity and that weight can vary with location; recall that mass in kilograms multiplied by 10 is approximately equal in magnitude to weight in Newtons on the surface of the earth

OP8: find the centre of gravity of a thin lamina; investigate the role of centre of gravity in design for stability and equilibrium

OP9: investigate the law of the lever; recall two everyday examples of levers

 

36 & 37

 

3A4: Pressure

presure of atmosphere demo

pressure in liquids

mass of air

Pressure variation with depth

Air Pressure Simulation

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factors affecting pressure; pressure in fluids

air has mass and occupies space

atmospheric pressure and its relationship to weather

measuring pressure, everyday applications of pressure

 

OP10: state the relationship between pressure, force and area; perform simple calculations using this relationship

OP11: investigate the relationship between pressure and depth for a liquid

OP12: show that air has mass and occupies space

OP13: associate change in the pressure exerted by the atmosphere with change in altitude

OP14: examine weather charts to observe variations in atmospheric pressure and relate these to weather conditions

 

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3A5: Work and power

Work

skoool.ie

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definitions and units for work and power

 

OP15: define and give the units for work, energy and power; state the relationship between work and power and perform simple calculations based on this relationship

 

36

 

3B1: Heat

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expansion of solids, liquids and gases

change of state and latent heat

 

OP22: recall that heat is a form of energy and that it can be converted into other forms of energy

OP23: investigate and describe the expansion of solids, liquids and gases when heated, and contraction when cooled

OP24: demonstrate the expansion of water on freezing

OP25: measure the temperature of various solids and liquids at, above and below room temperature; determine the melting point of ice and the boiling point of water

OP26: investigate the effect of pressure on the boiling point of water

OP27: explain the difference between heat and temperature

OP28: carry out experiments that involve changes of state from

  • solid to liquid and liquid to solid
  • liquid to gas and gas to liquid

OP29:plot a cooling curve and explain the shape of the curve in terms of latent heat

OP30: appreciate that all hot bodies radiate heat

 

40

 

3B2: Heat transfer

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conduction, convection and radiation; heat energy and temperature; insulation

 

OP31: carry out simple experiments to show the transfer of heat energy by conduction, convection and radiation; investigate conduction and convection in water

OP32: identify good and bad conductors of heat and compare insulating ability of different materials

 

40

 

 


 

End of year examination will be based on content listed above. The only content from the first year syllabus required, are those parts that are deemed as prerequisite to the above ( for instance, to understand density, a second year topic, you must first understand what is meant by mass and volume which are first year topics, so you could be asked about mass and volume in the summer test)

Sample questions for 2nd year summer exam preparation: Biologydownload; Chemistrydownload; Physicslink.

Revision by topic - Very useful set of questions from past examination papers (complete Junior Certificate), arranged by topic past paper questions

Second Year revision workbook - Complete past paper questions

Second Year Physics - Who Wants to be a Millionaire? download

Blue Colour - Coursework A: Mandatory Experiments and Investigations.

Underlined syllabus content is designated for higher level only.