This achievement standard involves describing properties of atoms, molecules, and ions, and thermochemical principles.

Properties of particles include:

• electron configuration of atoms and ions of the first 36 elements (using s,p,d notation)
• special characteristics of transition metals (variable oxidation state, colour) related to electron configuration. Transition metals will be limited to iron, vanadium, chromium, manganese, copper and zinc
• periodic trends in atomic radius, ionisation energy, and electronegativity, and comparison of atomic and ionic radii
• Lewis structures and shapes (up to six electron pairs about the central atom for molecules and polyatomic ions, including those with multiple bonds)
• polarity of molecules
• attractive forces between atoms, ions, and molecules. These will include ionic bonds, covalent bonds, and intermolecular attractions due to temporary dipoles and permanent dipoles (including hydrogen bonding).

Thermochemical principles include:

• transfer of heat between the system and the surroundings
• calculations involving the use of specific heat capacity
• ΔcH°, ΔfH°, ΔrH°, ΔvapH°, ΔsubH°, and ΔfusH°
• Hess’s Law including application of Δ_rH(= ΣΔ_fH((products) – ΣΔ_fH((reactants)
• bond enthalpies.