PHYSICAL SCIENCE - SYLLABUS
TOPIC 1
A. Lab
Safety:
1. Review procedures
2. Discuss classroom applications
3. Students sign Safety Contract
B. Inquiry
and the Scientific Method:
1. Inquiry
and Scientific Evidence
2. Scientific
Theories
C. Scientific
Method
1. Parts
of:
a Problem Statement
b Hypothesis
c Materials
d Procedure
e Data
f Analyze
g Conclusion
h Variables
i Control
2. Lab Report Format
3. Repeated Trials
4. Accurate recording of data
5. Analysis of Data
6. Interpretation, evaluation, and
communication of experimental results.
7. Science and Technology
8. Ethics in Research
· Locate
proper safety equipment based on hypothetical situations.
· Demonstrate
knowledge of general safety procedures.
· Locate
appropriate safety equipment.
· Explore
the scientific process and apply steps of the scientific method.
· Identify,
explain, and describe the purpose of scientific investigations.
· Formulate
a testable hypothesis.
· Identify
variables.
· Analyze
data.
· Write
a conclusion.
· Discuss
how experiments are carried out and the importance of communicating results.
· Examine
the importance of ethics in scientific research and reporting.
· Consider
the role of engineering in scientific and technological advancements
TOPIC 2
A. Metric Units:
1. Access prior knowledge
2. Review metric units, conversions, and
use of basic laboratory equipment.
B. Measurement:
1. Review basic measurement skills of
mass, length, temperature, volume, etc. Include proper units and tools.
C. Algebraic Conversions:
1. Review algebraic conversions
D. Data Analysis and Interpretation:
1. Collecting Data
2. Graphing
a Circle
b Line
c Bar
· Demonstrate
proper knowledge of metric units.
· Use
dimensional analysis to convert measurements from English and SI measurements.
· Convert
measurements from one basic unit to another.
· Demonstrate
correct use of basic laboratory equipment.
· Distinguish
between mass and weight.
· Define
density in terms of mass and volume and solve density problems.
· Demonstrate
ability to skillfully graph data.
· Explain
the differences between direct relationship and an inverse relationship.
Gather, analyze, and interpret data.
TOPIC 3
A. Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration:
1. Motion
2. Relationship among speed, velocity, and
acceleration
3. Analyze data and discuss findings
· Demonstrate
how an observed motion is dependent on a frame of reference.
· Determine
the direction of a moving object.
· Evaluate
that there is no absolute frame of reference from which to observe all motion.
· Construct
and analyze graphs of position versus time, and speed versus time.
· Determine
acceleration by mathematical and graphical means.
· Explain
the role of acceleration in describing curved motion and objects in free fall.
TOPIC 4
A. Forces
1. Types of forces (fundamental forces)
2. How forces act
3. Forces and Equilibrium
B. Newton’s Laws of Motion:
1. Inertia
2. F=MA
3. Action/Reaction
· Compare
the magnitude and range of the four fundamental forces
· Hypothesize
how forces will affect objects in motion and at rest.
· Demonstrate
the relationship between mass and acceleration.
· Calculate
force of an object based on mass and acceleration.
· Interpret
and apply Newton’s Laws of Motion to objects on earth.
· Describe
how the gravitational force between two objects depends on their masses and the
distance between them.
TOPIC 5
A. Forms of Energy:
1. Forms of energy
2. Energy transformation
3. Energy and work
B. Energy Transformation
1. Transfer of energy through different biochemical and
geological processes
C. Law of Conservation of Energy
D. Energy Resources
1. Renewable
2. Non-renewable
3. Impact on environmental quality
· Demonstrate
proper knowledge of metric units.
· Use
dimensional analysis to convert measurements from English and SI measurements.
· Convert
measurements from one basic unit to another.
· Demonstrate
correct use of basic laboratory equipment.
· Distinguish
between mass and weight.
· Define
density in terms of mass and volume and solve density problems.
· Demonstrate
ability to skillfully graph data.
· Explain
the differences between direct relationship and an inverse relationship.
· Gather,
analyze, and interpret data.
TOPIC 6
A. Work
and Power:
1. Distinguish work and power in science
from student concept in everyday life
2. Relate transfer of energy to work done
B. Simple
Machines:
1. Types and classes of Simple Machines
a Levers
b Pulleys
c Wheel and Axle
d Inclined Plane
2. Mechanical Advantage
3. Uses in the body
C. Describe
the relationship between work and power.
D. Infer
that work requires energy.
E. Calculate
work and power in real world situations.
F. Differentiate
between types of simple machines.
G. Determine
how simple machines make work easier.
H. Calculate
the mechanical advantage of simple machines.
I. Identify
simple machines within the human body.
J. Apply
knowledge of simple machines to build a compound machine.
TOPIC 7
·
Properties
of sound:
1. Frequency and pitch
2. Intensity and loudness
3. Amplitude and energy
4. Speeds in different mediums
·
Sound
Waves:
1. Sound and air pressure
2. Wavelength
3. Sound wave interactions
4. Sound , perception, and music
·
Properties
of light:
1. Atoms and light
2. Color and energy
3. Speed of light
4. Wavelength, frequency and
electromagnetic spectrum
· Color and vision
· Optics
1. Transparent
2. Translucent
3. Reflection and refraction
4. Absorption
5. Lenses
· Qualitatively
describe the shift in frequency in sound or electromagnetic waves.
· Analyze
sound interactions at boundaries.
· Explain
how factors like temperature and pressure affect the behavior of sound waves.
· Demonstrate
an understanding how knowledge of sound is used to develop or enhance existing
technology.
· Describe
the properties of light.
· Recognize
that nothing travels faster than the speed of light in vacuum.
· Describe
waves included in the electromagnetic spectrum in terms of energy, frequency,
and wavelength.
· Apply
knowledge of the behavior of light to explain why plants have certain colors.
· Compare
and contrast the interactions of light and matter.
TOPIC 8
· Electric Circuits:
o
Effect
of charges on one another
o
Electrical
forces
o
Static
electricity
§ Lightning
o
Electric
circuits
§ Current and voltage
§ Batteries
§ Ohm’s Law
§ Resistors, conductors and insulators
· Electrical Systems:
o
Series
circuit
o
Parallel
circuit
o
Circuit
breakers and fuses
o
Electrical
power, AC and DC electricity
· Define
static electricity and discuss its causes.
· Investigate
how electric charges exert forces on each other and how objects become
electrically charge.
· Investigate
and explain the relationships among current, voltage, resistance, and power.
· Introduce
Ohm’s Law using examples and make a connection to the motion of charges.
· Distinguish
between circuits connected in parallel or in series.
· Discuss
advantages for using parallel circuits.
· Discuss
applications of electricity in daily living
Distinguish direct current and alternating
current.
TOPIC 9
·
Properties
and Interactions of Magnets:
1. Force of magnet
2. Magnetic fields and compass
3. North and south
· Electromagnets:
1. Applications of electromagnets
2. Similarities of permanent magnets and
electromagnets
· Electric Motors and Generators:
· Producing Electric Currents:
1. Mechanical to electrical energy
· Electromagnetic induction
· Generator
· Generating electricity
2. Electrical to mechanical energy
· electric motors
3. Direct and alternating currents
· Identify
properties of magnetic materials and use interactions between magnets to
explain attraction and repulsion.
· Compare
the relationship of all materials containing the property of magnetism (e.g.,
iron, cobalt, and nickel) and their location on the periodic table.
· Investigate
and explain the relationships among current, voltage, resistance, and power in
an electromagnet.
· Contrast
energy transformations in electric motors and generators.
· Explain
the principle of electromagnetic induction.
· Explore
theory of electromagnetism by comparing and contrasting different parts of the
electromagnetic spectrum.
TOPIC 10
A. Classification of Matter:
1. Substances
2. Mixtures
B. Properties of Matter
1. Physical and chemical
2. Solids
3. Liquids
· Explain
the basis for classifying matter as either pure substances or mixtures.
· Distinguish
physical and chemical properties of matter.
· Explain
how the arrangements of atoms and molecules in solids determine their
properties.
· Compare
and contrast characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases by using CRISS
strategies (i.e. Venn diagram).
· Investigate
properties of solids, liquids, and gases in accordance with temperature,
pressure, and volume changes.
· Explain
how pressure is created in fluids.
· Discuss
the difference between the density of solids and fluids.
· Explain
the relationship between density and buoyancy.
Discuss applications of Archimedes’
principle.
TOPIC 11
C. Temperature
D. Phases of Matter
1. Solid, liquid, gases
2. Intermolecular forces
E. Heat
and Thermal Energy
1. Specific
Heat
F. Transfer of Heat:
1. Conduction
2. Convection
3. Radiation
Heat
transfer, winds, and currents
· Identify
the atom as the building block of matter.
· Define
temperature in terms of the motion of the atoms and molecules.
· Differentiate
among the four states of matter.
· Discuss
the special properties of water.
· Describe
the phase transitions in terms of kinetic molecular theory.
· Describe
the relationship between heat, temperature, and thermal energy.
· Explain
how the specific heat of different materials can be used to describe changes in
temperature and energy.
· Compare
and contrast various methods of heat transfer.
· Differentiate
between thermal conductors and thermal insulators.
Explain what it means when objects are in
thermal equilibrium.
TOPIC 12
D. Atmosphere
and Pressure
1. Atmosphere
of Earth and planets
2. Atmospheric
pressure
3. Pressure
and altitude
E. Gas
Laws
1. Boyle’s
law
2. Charles
law
Gay-Lussac’s law
· Describe
Earth’s atmosphere.
· Relate
earth’s atmospheric composition to the carbon and nitrogen cycle and their
relationship to the maintenance of life.
· Make
comparison between Earth’s atmosphere and atmosphere of other planets.
· Discuss
how photosynthesis changed Earth’s atmosphere.
· Explain
atmospheric pressure and how it is measured.
· Interpret
the behavior of ideal gases.
· Explain
how pressure, temperature, volume, and the number of molecules in a gas are
related when one or more of these factors are held constant.
Apply the gas laws.
TOPIC 13
A.
Structure
of the Atom:
1. Subatomic particles
2. Forces inside the atom
3. Ions and Isotopes
B.
Atomic
Models:
C.
Periodic
Table:
1. Organization of the elements
2. Properties of the elements
· Explore
the scientific theory of atoms.
· Identify
and describe particles which comprise atoms.
· Compare
and contrast forces inside atoms.
· Explore the theory of electromagnetism by comparing
and contrasting the different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
· Explain
and compare nuclear reactions and differentiate between chemical reactions.
· Explain
how the periodic table is organized.
· Compare
and contrast atomic number, atomic mass, and mass number.
· Distinguish
between periods and groups on the periodic table.
· Predict
the properties of an element, using the periodic table.
· Interpret
formula representations of molecules and compounds
TOPIC 14
A.
Chemical
bonds and electrons
1. Covalent
2. ionic
3. Valence electrons
4. Lewis dot diagram
B.
Chemical
formulas:
1. Oxidation numbers
2. Predicting ionic or covalent bond
3. Naming compounds
C.
Organic
Molecules:
1. Carbon
2. Carbohydrates
3. Lipids
4. Proteins
5. Nucleic Acids
· Distinguish
between the differences of ionic and covalent bonding based on electron distribution
incorporating the construction of molecules and compounds.
· Infer
the relationship between the number of valence electrons and the behavior of
atoms.
· Create
Lewis Dot Diagrams to illustrate the concept of valence electrons during the
formation of chemical bonds.
· Use
the periodic table to make predictions about whether atoms will most likely
form ionic or covalent bonds.
· Determine
oxidation numbers using the Periodic Table.
· Write
formulas, name ionic and covalent compounds with the aid of the Periodic Table.
· Explain
the significance of carbon in the structure of many different molecules and the
importance of carbon in living organisms.
· Compare
and contrast the structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, protein, and
nucleic acids.
TOPIC 15
A.
Chemical
Reactions:
1. Physical and chemical changes
2. Balancing equations
3. Formula mass and the mole
B.
Classifying
Reactions:
1. Synthesis
2. Decomposition
3. Combustion
4. Single Displacement
5. Double Displacement
· Describe
how energy is involved in chemical changes
· Identify
evidence that a chemical change has occurred.
· Relate
a balanced chemical equation to the law of conservation of mass.
· Determine
the formula and molar masses of chemical compounds.
· Construct
chemical equations using formulas (reactants, products).
· Write
a balanced chemical equation.
· Describe
a chemical equation and all its parts.
· Describe
how different natural resources are produced.
· Hypothesize
how substances will react based on electron configuration and predict which
metals will replace other metals in compounds.
· Classify
reactions based on how atoms combine to create new substances.
TOPIC 16
A.
Types
of reactions:
1.
Endothermic
2.
Exothermic
B.
Required
Energy:
1. Activation Energy
2. Carbon reaction and energy
C. Reaction Systems:
1. Limiting reactants
2. Percent yield
D. Reaction rate:
1. Catalyst
2. Inhibitors
3. Equilibrium
E. Nuclear Reactions:
1. Chemical/nuclear reactions
2. Radioactivity
3. Fusion and Fission
4. Energy needs
Uses
in medicine and science
· Compare
exothermic and endothermic reactions.
· Explain
why activation energy is needed to begin chemical reactions.
· Recognize
that there is no loss or gain in matter or energy due to the conservation laws.
· Identify
limiting and excess reactants in chemical reactions.
· Examine
the effects of catalyst and inhibitors on the speed of chemical reactions.
· Predict
how factors (temperature, concentration, surface area, agitation, and pressure)
will affect reaction rates.
· Compare
activation energy required with and without catalysts or inhibitors.
· Compare
and contrast chemical and nuclear reactions.
· Explain
significance of strong nuclear force.
· Explore
the benefits and negative effects of nuclear reactions.
TOPIC 17
A. Water
1. Shape
2. Polarity
3. Properties
4. Water-the universal solvent
B. Solutions
1. Types of solutions
2. Solvents-solutes
3. Solubility/concentration/equilibrium
4. Solutions of gases and liquids
5. Solubility rules
C. Acids/Bases and pH
1. Acid/base
2. Strength of acids and bases
3. pH
4. Neutralization Reaction
·
Describe water in terms of its polarity.
·
Discuss properties of water related to hydrogen
bonding.
·
Relate the properties of water to its
condition as the “universal solvent.”
·
Explain how solutions are formed.
·
Define solubility and interpret the
solubility curves of different substances.
·
Describe factors that affect the concentration
of solutions.
·
Compare and contrast solubility of solids,
liquid, and gaseous matter.
·
Differentiate acids and bases.
·
Define pH.
Explain the significance of acids, bases, and
pH to living organisms and the environment.