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Physical Science
Content Overview – Physical Science
The Physical Science curriculum is part of an integrated science curriculum 6-12. In this course of study students will have an introduction to both Chemistry and Physics topics. The Chemistry topics will be covered in the first semester and the Physics topics during the second semester.
Students in the Physical Science course will study the following general areas: Chemistry: Measurement and the scientific method, applications of math to science, chemical and physical properties, elements, compounds and mixtures, chemical names and formulas, chemical equations, chemical reactions, atomic structure, periodic table, properties of solids, liquids and gases, chemical bonds, acids & bases, alternative energy resources. Physics: waves and sound, motion, forces, Newton’s laws, acceleration and momentum, energy, machines, the science of amusement parks
Unit Overviews – Physical Science
The Nature of Science & Physical Science Methods
This introduction to science includes the students comparing and contrasting pure science and technology, evaluating approaches to solving problems, accurately following the scientific method in doing/creating experiments, and correctly using SI units, measurements and graphs with collected data.
Classification of Matter – Solids, Liquids, and Gases (and Plasma)
Students will be able to discriminate between the four states of matter, describe how kinetics affects the states of matter, distinguish between physical and chemical changes/properties, and state and explain the law of conservation of matter.
Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table & Elements and Their Properties
Students will be able to list the names and symbols of common elements, describe present model of the atom and effectively use the periodic table for identifying what a metal, nonmetal and semi-metal is and their properties.
Chemical Bonds & Reactions
Students will be able to describe ionic and covalent bonds, write the formulas for compounds from their names and name compounds from their formulas, identify reactants and products in a chemical reaction, be able to differentiate between the different types of chemical reactions.
Waves & Sound
Students will be able to differentiate between transverse and longitudinal waves, identify wave characteristics, distinguish wavelength, frequency, and velocity and calculate them, describe the transmission of sound, recognize the relationship between intensity and loudness and frequency and pitch, explain how sound waves are used in medicine and describe music.
Exploring Motion and Forces & Acceleration and Momentum
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Chemistry Materials and Resources
Chemistry: Matter and Change, McGraw Hill – Glencoe, 2005 (Honors Chemistry)
Chemistry, 5th edition, Prentice Hall, 2000 (Level 2 Chemistry)
Audiovisual World of Chemistry video series, Annenberg/ CPB project
Data collection hardware and software: Vernier LabPro interface to multiple sensor types, Palm Tungsten handheld computers, Vernier LoggerPro software for data analysis.
Assessment Techniques
1. Day to day evaluation based on classwork and homework.
2. Weekly evaluation of lab performance and lab reports.
3. Chapter tests are given as each unit of the curriculum is completed. Quizzes may
be given at any time between chapter tests.
4. Notebooks may be collected periodically and graded on organization, neatness, and completeness.
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