Assessor Resource

MSATCM406A
Apply basic chemical principles to metallurgy

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This competency applies to metallurgists working in industrial environments including foundries, steel plants, smelters, die casting, fabrication, welding etc. The unit provides the general chemical knowledge for basic metallurgy operations.

Note:

This unit covers some but not all of the content in Year 12 chemistry subjects such as the NSW Chemistry Stage 6 syllabus and equivalents in other States and Territories. Students who have completed these chemistry subjects at school should be given the opportunity for recognition of prior learning (RPL).

This competency provides basic underpinning chemistry knowledge for industrial metallurgical processes.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Pre-requisite Units

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

This competency also requires evidence of competency in the description of chemical laws, principles and terminology. The application of the chemical laws and principles to a selection of appropriate scenarios should also be required. The scenarios may be drawn directly from the workplace or may be simulated case studies.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the ability to:

describe elements and compounds according to their chemical properties

use recognised and appropriate chemical symbols and terminology

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

a wide variety of elements and compounds can be described

the application of chemical laws and reactions to non laboratory situations can be explained

Relationship to other units

This unit may be assessed concurrently with other relevant units.

Assessment method and context

Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge. The unit is suitable for assessment in conjunction with other metallurgy units and a holistic approach should be taken to the assessment wherever possible.

Competence in this unit may be assessed:

in a workplace

in a suitable laboratory facility,

by use of a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios

by a combination of these techniques.

Resource implications

This section should be read in conjunction with the range of variables for this unit of competency. No special resources are required. However resources may be required where holistic assessment with other units is undertaken including suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent that they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

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Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills:

write chemical formulae

write and balance chemical equations

calculate heat of reaction

Required knowledge:

Competence in this unit requires knowledge of:

Kinetic Theory;

Boyles Law, Charles Law,

Ideal Gas equation PV=nRT,

molar volume of a gas;

Gay-Lussac's Law, Avogadro's Law;

gas reaction calculations

symbols of common elements

importance of valence in formulae and reactions

model of an atom including electron shells.

The chemical basis of energy transformations in chemical reactions

Periodic table

Acids and Bases,

Stoichiometry

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Codes of practice/standards

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used.

Context

This competency applies to metallurgical technicians who are responsible for determining the chemical composition of materials, products and work in progress and making recommendations as to what needs to be done to produce the required product.

The unit is intended to complement other more specific metallurgy units by providing general chemical knowledge.

Physical properties of crystalline solids

Crystalline solids include molecular, metallic, ionic, extended covalent solids. Physical properties include but are not limited to - boiling point, melting point, solubility in polar and/or non-polar solvents, conductivity, ductility, brittleness, hardness.

Key properties

The key properties of metals in terms of their position on the Periodic Table are:

electrical conductivity

ionisation energy

atomic radius

melting point

boiling point

combining power (valency)

electronegativity

reactivity

Use of formulae

Formulae will be correctly written for given compounds and correct names will be written from given formulae

Definitions of acids and bases

Arrhenius definition

Brønsted-Lowry definition

Strong Acid

Strong acids are those that have high degrees of dissociation yielding hydrogen ions

Weak acids

Weak acids have partial dissociation of hydrogen ions and exist mostly in the associated form.

Strong bases

Strong bases completely or almost completely dissociate into hydroxide ions and a conjugate acid.

Weak bases

Weak bases partially dissociate into hydroxide ions and a conjugate acid.

Stoichiometry

The calculation of the quantities of chemical elements or compounds involved in a chemical reaction.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
The structure of atoms is described including sub-atomic particles, charge, atomic number, mass number, and valency . 
The properties of elements is determined from the periodic table of elements. 
The three states of matter are described in terms of shape, volume, and compression. 
Boyles and Charles laws are used to determine the relationship between volume, temperature, and pressure for a gas. 
Elements, compounds and mixtures are defined and examples given 
Chemical formulae are used 
The difference between organic and inorganic compounds is described 
Ionic, covalent, and metallic bonding are described. 
The relationship between temperature and the kinetic energy of particles is identified 
The concepts of latent and sensible heat are described. 
Solids are categorised from their physical properties 
The physical properties of crystalline solids are related to the nature of the forces between particles. 
The activity of metals and other key properties are described in terms of their position on the Periodic Table. 
The importance of first ionisation energy in determining the relative reactivity of metals is described. 
 
Definitions of acids and bases are described. 
The pH scale is described and applied 
The relationship between an acid and its conjugate base and a base and its conjugate acid is described 
A range of salts which form acidic, basic or neutral solutions are identified and their acidic, neutral or basic nature explained 
Strong and weak acids and bases are defined and identified. 
 
Chemical reactions are described using appropriate balanced chemical equations 
Chemical reactions between elements and compounds are explained in terms of atomic structures and periodicity 
The heat of reaction in chemical reactions is determined. 
Factors affecting reaction rate are explained including concentration, surface area, pressure, temperature and catalysis 
The stoichiometry of a reaction is used to determine amounts of reactants consumed/products made 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSATCM406A - Apply basic chemical principles to metallurgy
Assessment task 1: [title]

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Assessment Record Sheet

MSATCM406A - Apply basic chemical principles to metallurgy

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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

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