Science Study Guide
Part 1
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),
Below I have listed the upcoming curriculum units, vocabulary, and concepts to be covered in class. Please take the time as often as you can to review this information with your scholar.
You know that your scholar is important to us and that we want to provide every opportunity for success.
Thank You,
Ms. Gustavus
Scientific Tools
Safety in the Lab
Vocabulary
Goggles • Gloves • Apron • Conservation • Disposal •Recycling
• Safety • Emergency • Fire extinguisher
Scientific Method
Step 1: State the Problem / Question
Step 2: Research
Step 3: State your Hypothesis (What you think will happen?)
Step 4: Experiment and collect data
Step 5: Analyze data
Step 6: Conclusion (What really happened?)
Variable: Part of the experiment that is being tested (The one thing that is allowed to change in the experiment)
Control: Parts of the experiment that remain the same through each trial of the experiment.
Example:
Problem: Does the height of the ramp affect the distance a marble will travel?
Hypothesis: I believe that the height of the ramp will affect the distance the marble will travel. The higher the ramp will cause the marble to travel farther.
Procedures: Different ramp heights will be set up to roll the marble down. There will be a ramp set with a height of 2 inches, 4 inches, 6 inches, and 8 inches. The marble will be released down each ramp three times and then the distance the marble travels will be measured and recorded.
Variable: Different ramp heights
Controls: Marble, carpet flooring and the marble will simply be released each time.
Physical Properties of Matter
Word
Matter
Definition
Anything that has mass (stuff) and volume (takes up space)
Example
Anything on Earth including solids, liquids, and gasses. Outer space has no matter.
Physical Properties
Characteristics of an object that can be measured or observed
- State of matter of the object
- Mass of the object
- Volume of the object
- Color of the object
- Texture of the object
Melting
Solid to a liquid
Water's melting point is
0 degrees Celsius
and above
Freezing
Liquid to a Solid
Water's freezing point is
0 degrees Celsius
and below
Boiling
Liquid to a Gas
Quickly
Water's boiling point is
100 degrees Celsius
Evaporation
Liquid to a Gas
Water will evaporate into the atmosphere as long as the temperature is above its freezing point of 0 degrees Celsius
Condensation
Gas to a Liquid
- It occurs when warm molecules of water vapor cool and collect together as liquid water.
- Water vapor can be found on the outside of cold glasses, the warm side of windows, and in the clouds up in the air.
Mass
The amount of matter (stuff) in an object.
Mass can be measured using a triple beam balance or a pan balance. The unit of measurement is grams (g)
Volume
The amount of space an object takes up
Volume can be measured using a beaker or a graduated cylinder. The unit of measurement is milliliters (ml)
Magnetism
Properties of a magnet to attract certain metals
Iron and steel have the physical property to be attracted to a magnet.
Density
Is the concentration of matter in an object
- If the density of the object is less than the waters the object will float
Volume > Mass = Float
- If the density of the object is greater than the waters the object will sink
Volume < Mass = Sink
Students do not need to know the formula
Solubility
The ability of a substance to dissolve
- When a solid like sugar is added to a liquid like water and together they become a solution (one).
Mixtures
- Combination of two or more substances that will be easy to separate.
- The physical properties of the substances do not change when mixed.
- Possible tools to use when separating mixtures: sieve, coffee filter, water (have some items float), magnet, strainer
Examples:
- marbles and paper clips
- sand and water
- wood chips and sand
- oil and water
Solutions
(Dissolving occurs)
- Combination of two or more substances that when mixed together become one substance.
- The physical properties of the substances do change.
- Solutions are harder to separate
Difficult to separate but can be done through evaporation.
Examples:
- powdered milk and water
- kool-aid and water
- vinegar and water
- salt and water
Thermal Energy
Word
Definition
Example
Energy
The capacity or ability to do work
Energy can be transferred or changed into other types of energy.
Example:
- Computer
- Electricity (battery) is transformed into light energy (screen), thermal energy (the motor) and sound energy (speakers)
Thermal Energy
Thermal energy is due to the movement of particles or molecules inside of matter the more movement the greater amount of thermal energy. Thermal energy is transferred in the form of heat.
Thermal energy always want to move to cooler areas
- The terms conductor and insulator are used to categorize materials according to their ability to transfer thermal energy. Some materials are good conductors meaning they conduct thermal energy easily, other materials are called insulators and do not conduct thermal energy easily.
Conductor
(Thermal Energy)
A material that allows thermal energy to pass through it.
Examples:
- Metals (aluminum, steel, copper, etc…
- Glass
- Water
Insulator
(Thermal Energy)
A material that stops or slows the flow of thermal energy.
Examples:
- Styrofoam
- Cotton
- Thick Plastic
Electrical Energy
Word
Definition
Example
Conductor
(Electrical Energy)
A material that allows thermal energy to pass through it.
Examples:
- Metals (aluminum, steel, copper, etc…
- Water
Insulator
(Electrical Energy)
A material that stops or slows the flow of thermal energy.
Examples:
- Glass
- Styrofoam
- Cotton
- Plastic