The Chemistry Georgia Standards of Excellence are designed to continue student investigations of the physical sciences that began in grades K-8 and provide students the necessary skills to be proficient in chemistry. These standards include more abstract concepts such as the structure of atoms, structure and properties of matter, the conservation and interaction of energy and matter, and the use of Kinetic Molecular Theory to model atomic and molecular motion in chemical and physical processes. Students investigate chemistry concepts through experiences in laboratories and field work using the process of inquiry.

Chemistry students use the periodic table to help with the identification of elements with particular properties, recognize patterns that lead to explain chemical reactivity and bond formation. They use the IUPAC nomenclature in order to predict chemical names for ionic (binary and ternary), acidic, and inorganic covalent compounds, and conduct experiments to manipulate factors that affect chemical reactions.