Physical Science

3.4 Physics
Content Objective(s) and Process Objective(s)
What Students Should Know and Be Able to Do

(Related Objectives 3.3 and 3.5)

3.4.4 Grade 4:

3.4.7 Grade 7:

3.4.4 A Recognize basic concepts about the structure and properties of matter. 3.4.7 A Describe concepts about the structure and properties of matter.

Know

Do

Know

Do

Materials have different characteristics (e.g., texture, color opacity, state)

Matter changes state as it is heated and cooled

Categorize different materials according to texture (e.g., rough, smooth, soft, hard) (Primary)

 

Categorize different materials according to opacity (i.e., transparent or clear, translucent, opaque) (Primary)

Categorize different materials according to state (i.e., solid, liquid, gas) (Primary)

Categorize different materials according to solubility in water (Primary)

Observe and identify water in its solid, liquid and gaseous forms and relate each form to its temperature (Primary)

How to use characteristic physical properties (i.e., density, solubility, crystal shape, freezing, hardness, thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, sound speed, opacity, nuclear cross section, color and friction)

Matter is made of smaller units called atoms

 

Charge electrodes and surmise that elementary atomic particles are involved by observing attraction and repulsion

Perform diffusion experiments with solids, liquids and gases and surmise the kinetic molecular theory of matter

Observe and describe microscopes to observe Brownian motion in homogenized milk

Create models of three different substances using colored balls or magnets

 

3.4.4 C Observe and describe different types of force and motion. 3.4.7 C Identify and explain the principles of force and motion.

Know

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Know

Do

There are forces that cause repulsion or attraction of objects

Types of motion

Movement can be described in relative terms

The position of one object relative to another

Observe that magnets attract or repulse each other (Primary)

Deduce that like poles of magnets (N-N, S-S) repel and unlike poles (N-S, S-N) attract (Primary)

Diagram attraction and repulsion of magnetic poles (Primary)

Demonstrate objects sliding, rolling, flipping, moving up and down, and side-to-side (Primary)

Demonstrate and identify rotational, circular and periodic movement (Primary/Intermediate)

Demonstrate and differentiate between sliding and rolling friction (Intermediate)

Identify and use simple machines (e.g., inclined plane, lever, pulley, wedge, wheel and axle) (Intermediate)

Identify simple machines within compound machines (Intermediate)

Identify relative movement of two objects as faster or slower, right or left, up or down and sliding or rolling (Primary)

Describe the relative positions of two objects (over, under; beside, between; left, right; north, south, east or west) (Primary)

Various types of simple and compound machines

Demonstrate an understanding of electrical circuit subsystems

Describe the motion of an object based on its position, direction and speed

Classify fluid power systems

Demonstrate knowledge of laws of motion in describing moving objects

Explain various motions using modes (i.e., rotary, circular, periodic)

Calculate the mechanical advantages of various simple and compound machines

 

3.4.4 B Know basic energy types, sources and conversions. 3.4.7 B Relate energy sources and transfers to heat and temperature.

Know

Do

Know

Do

Sound has different qualities (e.g., pitch, loudness and echoes)

Static electricity can cause forces of repulsion, attraction and sparks

Two basic types of electrical circuits (series and parallel), which can be opened or closed

The difference between conductors and non-conductors

Energy has many forms and can be transferred from one form to another (e.g., friction, chemical reaction, heat, light, and electricity)

Methods to quantify changes in temperature by use of a thermometer

Heat can be reflected, refracted and absorbed

Light can be reflected, refracted and absorbed

Produce and compare sounds by describing them as higher or lower in pitch (Primary)

Produce and compare sounds by describing them as louder or softer (Primary)

Produce and identify an echo (Primary)

Produce static electricity on objects and demonstrate repulsion and attraction of these objects (Primary)

Diagram the repulsion and attraction of electrically-charged objects (Primary)

Use static electricity to produce sparks (Primary)

Construct a simple electrical circuit to demonstrate open and closed circuits (Primary)

Construct a series circuit with a minimum of two light bulbs (Intermediate)

Construct a parallel circuit with a minimum of two light bulbs (Intermediate)

Compare series and parallel circuits (Intermediate)

Diagram simple, parallel and series circuits (Intermediate)

Construct a simple electrical circuit and use it to identify materials and conductors and non-conductors (Intermediate)

Predict which materials will be conductors or non-conductors (Intermediate)

Demonstrate heat production by friction (Primary)

Demonstrate heat production by light (Primary)

Demonstrate heat production by chemical reaction (Intermediate)

Demonstrate heat production by electricity (Intermediate)

Use a thermometer to measure changes in temperature (Primary)

Measure and record heat production produced by a chemical reaction using a thermometer (Intermediate)

Observe the effect of heat transferred by conduction and convection (Intermediate)

Define and differentiate between conduction and convection of heat (Intermediate)

Observe images produced by reflection of light ray (Primary)

Observe refraction of light into the color spectrum (Primary)

Produce and identify the colors of the spectrum by refracting light (Intermediate)

Observe production of heat by absorption of light (Primary)

The sun is a major source of energy that emits wavelengths of visible light and infrared and ultraviolet radiation

Identify and describe sound changes in moving objects

Explain the conversion of one form of energy to another by applying knowledge of each form of energy:

Mechanical to electrical or electrical to mechanical

Electrical to heat or heat to electrical

Solar to electrical or electrical to solar

Solar to biological or biological to solar

Sound to thermal or thermal to sound

Nuclear to thermal or thermal to nuclear

The fundamental importance of mechanical and electromagnetic waves is their ability to transfer energy

Light rays can produce an image and various lenses and reflective surfaces alter that image

Demonstrate qualities of pitch, loudness and echoes through the production or identification of sounds (Intermediate)

Use characteristics of light (e.g., reflection, refraction, absorption) to produce heat, color or images (Intermediate)

Observe images produced by various reflective surfaces and deduce that the images seen change as the surfaces change (e.g., mirrors, water)(Primary)

Observe objects through convex and concave lenses and note that concave lenses make objects appear smaller and convex lenses make objects appear larger (Intermediate)

Diagram light rays passing through convex and concave lenses to produce an image (Intermediate)

Find and measure the focal point of various convex lenses (Intermediate)

The terminology used to describe waves (e.g., medium, wavelength, amplitude, velocity, frequency, loudness, pitch)

The properties of mechanical waves

The properties of electromagnetic waves

The electromagnetic spectrum

Convex and concave mirrors and lenses change light images

Use steel Slinkies to model longitudinal and transverse waves

Use steel springs at different inertia to model impedance matching and energy transfer

Use wavepath drawings to show light rays in structures involving reflection and refraction

Explain diffraction using a ripple tank

Produce different pitches using a variety of vibrating mechanical systems (e.g., levers, bars, springs)

 

3.4.10 Grade 10:

3.4.12 Grade 12:

3.4.10 A Explain basic concepts about the structure and properties of matter. 3.4.12 A Apply concepts about the structure and properties of matter.

Know

Do

Know

Do

Protons are subatomic positively charged particles

Neutrons are subatomic particles with no charge and approximately the same mass as a proton

Electrons are subatomic negatively charged particles with a mass much less than a proton or a neutron

An atom consists of a nucleus containing the protons and neutrons with electrons orbiting the nucleus

An element consists of atoms, each containing the same number of protons in the nucleus

Atoms of different elements differ by the number of protons in the nucleus

Elements located on the left side of the Periodic Table are classified as metals and elements on the right side are classified as non-metals

Kinetic energy is proportional to the speed of an object

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles of that substance

Charles’ Law states that the volume of gas is directly proportional to the temperature of the gas

Pressure is a measure of the force applied on a given area

Boyle’s Law states that the volume of a gas is inversely proportional to the pressure applied to it

Determine the relative size of a molecule through a demonstration

Draw and label an atom that contains a given number of protons, neutrons and electrons

Identify an element using the Periodic Table, given the number of protons, neutrons and electrons

Successfully predict the outcome of heating or cooling an inflated balloon

Explain how to collapse a can with air pressure

Compare/contrast the effect of force on varying area

Develop an experiment to prove Boyle’s Law

Demonstrate the relationship between pressure and volume using appropriate equipment

Concepts of nuclear decay: alpha, beta, gamma

Notations of subatomic particles

Nuclear energy comes from the conversion of mass to energy

The concept of half-life

The concept of density

Methods of determining volume

Verbally interpret the three decay reactions of natural radioactivity

Write and balance decay equations

Calculate the energy equivalent of a given amount of mass

Explain the conservation of mass-energy in any given energy interaction

Demonstrate exponential decay

Predict the radioactivity of a sample after a given number of half-lives

Experimentally determine mass, volume and density of various solids and liquids

 
3.4.10 C Distinguish among the principles of force and motion. 3.4.12 C Apply the principles of motion and force.

Know

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Know

Do

Electricity and magnetism are two aspects of a single electromagnetic force

Six simple machines

How to determine the mechanical advantage in a simple machine

How mechanical advantage is affected by using a compound machine

A fluid is a gas or a liquid

The basic principles involved in reciprocating and turbine engines

The definitions of scalars and vectors

Newton’s Laws of Motion

The concept of efficiency

How to determine efficiency of a machine

Demonstrate the relationship between electricity and magnetism by using a wire and a horseshoe magnet

Assemble a compound machine using two or more simple machines

Draw and explain a given fluid power system (e.g., windmill)

Describe how a tire pump works

Give examples of scalar and vector quantities

State and explain Newton’s Laws of Motion

Given a situation in which forces act on a mass, predict the resulting motion by using the appropriate Law of Motion

Calculate the efficiency of a machine

The three decay reactions of natural radioactivity

The process for writing and balancing decay equations

The energy equivalent of a given amount of mass

Method of predicting the radioactivity of a sample after a given number of half-lives

Procedure for experimentally determining mass, volume and density of various solids and liquids

Explain the conservation of mass-energy in any given energy interaction

Given a simple machine and resistance force, measure the effort force and calculate the work input, work output, ideal and actual mechanical advantages and efficiency of the machine

Given a specific mechanical power system, propose modifications of the structural design and friction inherent in the system to improve its efficiency

Given a specific collision, calculate the final velocities of the colliding objects

Predict/calculate the maximum height, time of flight and range of a projectile given its speed and angle of launch

Given mass, speed and radius of an object in uniform circular motion, calculate the centripetal acceleration and centripetal force

Demonstrate exponential decay.

Given an object moving in a vertical circle under the influence of gravity, calculate the minimum speed necessary to maintain circular motion at the top of its path.

 
3.4.10 B Analyze energy sources and transfers of heat. 3.4.12 B Apply and analyze energy sources and conversions and their relationship to heat and temperature.

Know

Do

Know

Do

The difference between heat and temperature

The first two laws of thermodynamics

The basic methods of energy transfer: conduction, convection and radiation

The basic concepts of electric circuits, including current, resistance, voltage, voltage drop and power

The difference between series and parallel circuits

The correct use of voltmeters and ammeters to measure voltage and current

The basic concepts of kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy and the conservation of mechanical energy

The terminology that applies to mechanical and electromagnetic waves

The concept that mechanical waves transfer energy

How electromagnetic waves are produced and how their energy is converted to other forms

The electromagnetic spectrum, its origins and uses

In a given system involving bodies of different temperature, predict the energy transfer using the appropriate thermodynamic principle

In a given situation, predict the dominant method of energy transfer

By using simple circuit elements, construct series and parallel circuits

Use the appropriate devices to measure the current and voltage for a circuit element

Describe and evaluate the changes in potential energy, kinetic energy and mechanical energy as an object falls from a height

Describe sound and light effects (e.g., Doppler effect, reflection, refraction, absorption)

Measure and describe wave motion as it pertains to sound, light, and other objects (e.g., ocean waves, ropes, Slinkies)

Use various mirrors and lenses to create images and trace light ray paths

Describe the mechanism of sound propagation in solids, liquids and gases

Ohm’s Law

Circuit diagram symbolism

Basic methods of energy transfer: conduction, convection and radiation

The efficiency of heat engines

The concepts of heat loss

Cogeneration processes

The terminology descriptive of waves (e.g., medium, amplitude, velocity, frequency, loudness, pitch)

The properties of mechanical waves

The properties of electromagnetic waves

The range of the electromagnetic spectrum from x-rays to radio waves

Calculate current and voltage drop at various places in the circuit, given a combination series and parallel circuit

Diagram an electric circuit

Wire the circuit, given a circuit diagram

Describe the transfer of energy from the energy source to electrical production in a nuclear/fossil fuel power plant

Identify possible methods/sites of heat loss in a given thermodynamic system and propose methods of correction

Design thermodynamic systems that incorporate cogeneration

Model the wave properties of longitudinal and transverse waves using Slinkies

Observe energy transfer and impedance matching using Slinkies and a higher inertia steel spring

Construct wavepath drawing using different mirrors and lenses to show lightray behavior involving reflection and refraction

Design a ripple tank experiment to observe diffraction

Design different mechanical systems that will vibrate to produce different pitches (e.g., bars, springs, water bottles)

Using the kinetic molecular theory of matter, propose the mechanics of sound transfer in three different mediums