Year 12 Chemistry excursion

On 20 June 2025, our Year 12 Chemistry classes went to the University of Melbourne (in two groups), for an excursion based on Unit 4 Area of Study 1 – Organic Chemistry. 

The instrumental workshop focused on the principles and applications of Organic Chemistry, with a practical component involving instrumental analysis. 

We learnt to use top grade spectroscopy equipment to analyse samples and identify structures of organic molecules. This includes Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR) and Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13C-NMR) to determine unique hydrogen and carbon environments within organic compounds, and Infrared (IR) Spectrometry to identify chemical bonds and functional groups of the molecules. 

We also had an opportunity to see the spectacular Mass Spectrometer (MS), which is an instrument that identifies the chemical composition of a sample by separating ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio.

Once the tests were completed, we had to utilise the data collected to deduce the identity of our given chemical compounds, in which everyone had great success. Being able to perform instrumental analysis ourselves gives us better understanding on how the theory learnt in class can be used and applied to the real world. 

It was our first and last Chemistry excursion, but a wonderful and interesting experience!

Tim Hanus and Sinead Ling

Darren Marsh

Director of Learning – Data, Assessment and Operations