UNIT OVERVIEW
This revision unit brings together everything you learned in Term 1 of Grade 12 Physical Sciences. You will work through practical investigation skills, the physics of momentum and impulse, and the chemistry of organic compounds and macromolecules.
What you will do in this unit:
- Review scientific investigation skills and how to design fair experiments
- Solve momentum and impulse problems with confidence
- Name organic compounds correctly using IUPAC rules
- Explain how molecular structure affects physical properties
- Describe polymerisation and identify common polymers
- Work through mixed problems that test multiple concepts together
- Practise exam-style questions with full model answers
Why this matters:
These concepts appear everywhere in daily life:
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Vehicle safety: Airbags, seatbelts and crumple zones all use the impulse-momentum relationship. They extend the time of a collision to reduce the force on passengers.
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Fuels: The petrol and diesel that power vehicles are mixtures of alkanes. These organic compounds release energy through combustion reactions.
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Plastics: Plastic bottles, food packaging and clothing fibres are all polymers. Understanding how polymers form helps explain both their usefulness and their environmental impact.
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Flavours and fragrances: Esters give many sweets and perfumes their characteristic smells. These compounds form through esterification reactions.