Learning Intentions by Unit
UNIT 1: Foundations of Science
Experimental Processes
1.1: Write a hypothesis.
Complete either a guided or personally designed inquiry lab in which you establish a clear hypothesis regarding the investigation.
1.2: Perform an experiment (3 evidences required)
Complete either a guided or personally designed inquiry experiment or investigation.
1.3: Use data from an experiment to make analyses and draw valid conclusions (3 evidences required)
Complete either a guided or personally designed inquiry lab in which you establish a clear hypothesis regarding the investigation. Use the data from the lab to analyze the phenomenon you're investigating and draw valid conclusions based on your data. Organize your data in well-defined data tables and charts.
Metric Conversions
1.4: Convert between metric units (Giga- to pico-) (2 evidences required)
Complete metric conversions between common metric prefixes (kilo - milli).
Complete metric conversions between common metric prefixes (Giga - nano).
1.5: Convert between common units to metric using dimensional analysis (ex. mph to m/s).
Compute unit conversions between metric and non-metric units using the "parentheses" method for dimensional analysis. (Ex: mi/h ---> m/s)
1.6: Scientist
Interview (either verbally or by email) a scientist about their research and its larger impact on society and the scientific community.
UNIT 2: Kinematics in 1-Dimension
2.1: Speed & Velocity
Investigate various factors influencing velocity. Differentiate between speed and velocity. Relate time, distance, and velocity together in a mathematical model.
2.2: Acceleration in one direction
Calculate acceleration problems through a mathematical model relating time, distance, velocity, and acceleration in one direction. (i.e. a = (vf - vo)/t & x = 1/2at^2 + vot + xo)
2.3: Free-fall acceleration
Identify the constant acceleration due to gravity on Earth and use it in combination to the formulas in ICP.2.2 to calculate a mathematical model involving a free-fall situation, ignoring air-resistance.
2.4: Gravitational Potential Energy & Kinetic Energy
Relate the transfer of energy between Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE) and Kinetic Energy (KE). Use the formulas for GPE and KE to determine the energy and velocities of objects.
UNIT 3: Forces & Pressure
3.1: Draw force diagrams.
Model the relationship between forces by drawing free-body force diagrams.
3.2: Newton's Laws of Motion
Discuss how the motion of objects can be explained and are restricted to Newton's three laws of motion. Explore the meaning of each law and provide an example of each.
3.3: Calculate the amount of the force using Newton's 2nd Law
Use Newton's 2nd Law of Motion (F = ma) to relate force, mass, and acceleration in a mathematical model.
3.4: Applying Pressure, Bernoulli's Principle, and Pascal's Principle
Define pressure in terms of force. Relate the concept of Bernoulli's Principle to pressure and how this makes flight possible for airplanes. Use Pascal's Principle of fluid pressure to explain how hydraulic systems work in relation to input and output forces.
UNIT 4: Momentum & Energy
4.1: Calculate the momentum for both elastic and inelastic collisions
Investigate how the Conservation of Momentum is demonstrated through elastic and inelastic collisions. Apply the concept of Conservation of Momentum to perform calculations related to elastic and inelastic collisions.
UNIT 5: Electricity & Power
5.1: Work & Power
Relate the physics of force, work, and power with mathematical modeling. Perform calculations related to work and power.
5.2 Ohm's Law
Investigate the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance and relate it back to Ohm's Law.
5.3: Series Circuits & Parallel Circuits
Construct a series and a parallel circuit or draw a model of a series or parallel circuit. Perform calculations related to circuits using Ohm's Law.
UNIT 6: Matter
6.1: Classifying Matter
Differentiate between pure substances (element, compound), mixtures (heterogeneous, homogenous), and solutions. Categorize substances based on their physical properties.
6.2: Chemical vs Physical Changes
Differentiate between chemical and physical properties. Use observations to determine if a change is chemical or physical.
6.3: Phase of Matter & Energy Transfer
Explain how energy is transferred through the Phase Change Triangle using the concepts of endothermic/exothermic reactions, Kinetic Molecular Theory, and heat.
UNIT 7: Atomic Structure
7.1: Subatomic Particles and Atomic Theory
Discuss the evolution of our understanding on the structure of the atom. Identify the subatomic particles (protons, neutrons, & electrons), their relative charges, and relate them to atomic number, atomic mass, and ion charge. Draw a diagram of an atom of multiple elements with electrons filling the appropriate "shells".
7.2: Using the Periodic Table
Use the Periodic Table to identify atomic number, atomic mass, and charges of common elements.
7.3: Chemical Bonds
Differentiate between covalent, ionic, and metallic bonds based on the types of elements involved and the interaction of electrons.
7.4: Compound Formulas
Name ionic & covalent compounds given the formulas. Write the chemical formulas for ionic and covalent compounds given the names.
UNIT 8: Chemical Reactions
8.1: Types of Chemical Reactions
Describe different types of chemical reactions (i.e. synthesis, decomposition, endothermic, exothermic, single replacement, double replacement, & combustion). Differentiate between the types of reactions given a chemical equation.
8.2: Balancing Chemical Equations
Balance chemical equations to determine the number of moles for each substance involved.
8.3: Oxidation & Reduction
Discuss redox reactions in terms of what is happening with electrons and the importance of understanding redox reactions in industry.