Embedded Files
Grade(s): 9-12
Length: two semesters
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisites: None
Course Overview:
Course Overview:
Physical Science provides an introduction to the core concepts of physics and chemistry. Laboratory work is an integral part of the inquiry-based learning process, helping students develop an understanding of the concepts as well as the process of science. The first semester provides an introduction to the core concepts of chemistry (matter and its interactions) with little emphasis on mathematics. The second semester includes an exploration of mechanics (motion, forces, and energy), in addition to the development of important process skills.
Adopted Textbook: Physical Science. Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2017.
Adopted Textbook: Physical Science. Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2017.
Units
Units
(Recommended Order)
Semester 1:
Semester 1:
Structure and Properties of Matter
Chemical Reactions
Nuclear Processes, Energy in Chemical Processes, and Engineering Design
Semester 2:
Semester 2:
Science Practice and Design
Newton's Law
Electricity and Magnetism
Work and Energy
Unit 1: Structure and Properties of Matter
Unit 1: Structure and Properties of Matter
Suggested Pacing: 5 weeks
Textbook Chapters/Lessons: Chapter 16
Key Objectives:
Key Objectives:
Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.
Plan and conduct an investigation to gather evidence to compare the structure
Suggested Activities & Resources:
Suggested Activities & Resources:
Phet simulation: Build an Atom https://phet.colorado.edu
Black box experiment (for circumstantial evidence)/
Adopt an element and present its "life history" in a poster.
Demo: Lithium vs. Sodium in Water.
Lab: Trends Among the Elements.
Periodic chart of objects (i.e., candy, shoes, hats).
Standards List: PS1.A: Structure & Properties of Matter: [HS-PS1.1, HS-PS1.2, HS-PS1.3
Unit 2: Chemical Reactions
Unit 2: Chemical Reactions
Suggested Pacing: 5 weeks
Textbook Chapters/Lessons: Chapters 15, 19, 21, and 22
Key Objectives:
Key Objectives:
Construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties.
Explain how the Law of Conservation of Mass helps to support the atomic model of matter.
Use mathematical representations to support the claim that atoms, and therefore mass, are conserved during a chemical reaction.
Balance simple chemical equations.
Measure solubility of solutes in solutions.
Discuss the difference between concentration and saturation of solutes in solutions.
Use power of ten notations to explain pH; explain the difference bwtween acids and bases.
Identify the range of the pH scale and give examples of strong and weak acids, and bases.
Suggested Activities & Resources:
Suggested Activities & Resources:
Lab: Decompose water by electrolysis, noting volumes and ratios of products.
Lab: Baking Soda and Acid.
Lab: Salts and Solubility.
Lab: pH Scale.
PhET Online Lab: http://phet.colorado.edu.
Lab: Empirical Formula of Zinc Chloride.
Standards List: PS1.B: Chemical Reactions: HS-PS1.2, HS-PS1.7
Unit 3: Nuclear Processes, Energy in Chemical Processes, and Engineering Design
Unit 3: Nuclear Processes, Energy in Chemical Processes, and Engineering Design
Suggested Pacing: 4 weeks
Textbook Chapters/Lessons: Chapters 4 and 8
Key Objectives:
Key Objectives:
Explain the Law of Conservation of Energy as it applies to transfers of energy for physical and chemical changes.
Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.
Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
Discuss the role nuclear power for electrical generation may play in reducing the emission of greenhouse gasses and for smaller Alaskan communities.
Suggested Activities & Resources:
Suggested Activities & Resources:
Lab: Radioactive Decay.
PhET Online Labs: http://phet.colorado.edu.
Videos: Chernobyl: A Taste of Wormwood or the NOVA special Back to Chernobyl.
Activity: Design an electric power system for a small community with a given set of environmental conditions, resources, population, and power needs.
Standards List: ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design Solution: HS-ETS1.2, HS-PS1.6; PS1.C: Nuclear Processes: HS-PS1.8; PS3.D:
Energy in Chemical Reactions: HS-PS3.3
Unit 4: Science Practice and Design
Unit 4: Science Practice and Design
Suggested Pacing: 2 weeks
Textbook Chapters/Lessons: Chapter 1
Key Objectives:
Key Objectives:
Recognize that all measurements have some uncertainty.
Make and interpret line graphs and scatter plots
Suggested Activities & Resources:
Suggested Activities & Resources:
Flinn Safety Contract and Test.
Lab safety classroom scavenger hunt.
Graphing skills packet.
Investigation: Graphing Volume of Water in a Test Tube vs. Height of Water.
Standards List: ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design Solution: HS-ETS1.2
Unit 5: Newton's Law
Unit 5: Newton's Law
Suggested Pacing: 5 weeks
Textbook Chapters/Lessons: Chapters 2 and 3.
Key Objectives:
Key Objectives:
Distinguish between the terms speed, velocity, and acceleration.
Use and interpret graphs that describe the motion of objects (position-time, velocity-time, acceleration-time).
Analyze data support the claim that Newton's second law of motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration.
Apply Newton's three laws to explain inertia, acceleration when net force is not zero, and action-reaction forces.
Use mathematical representations to support the claim that the total momentum of a system of objects is conserved when there is no net force on the system.
Apply scientific and engineering ideas to design, evaluate, and refine a device that minimizes the force on a macroscopic object during a collision.
Suggested Activities & Resources:
Suggested Activities & Resources:
Use sonic rangers (sonars) to match position vs. time; velocity vs. time graphs.
Conduct races with electric cars and fan cars or cars rolling down ramps.
Investigate collisions between spring-loaded cars.
Conduct balloon races.
Design apparatus to protect egg in free-fall using cost-effective approach.
Standards List: PS2.A: Forces & Motion: HS-PS2.1, HS-PS2.2, HS-PS2.3 ETS1.A: Defining & Delimiting the Engineering Problem: Secondary to HS-PS2.3; ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design Solution: Secondary to HS-PS2.3
Unit 6: Electricity and Magnetism
Unit 6: Electricity and Magnetism
Suggested Pacing: 5 weeks
Textbook Chapters/Lessons: Chapters 6 and 7.
Key Objectives:
Key Objectives:
Use mathematical representations of Newton's law of gravitation and Coulomb's law to describe and predict the gravitational and electrostatic forces between objects.
Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that an electric current can produce a magnetic field and that a changing magnetic field can produce an electric current.
Suggested Activities & Resources:
Suggested Activities & Resources:
Static Electric Forces Activity: Attraction and Repulsion (comparison to gravitational force).
Build a simple circuit.
Build a simple electromagnet.
Build a simple motor.
Standards List: PS2.B: Types of Interactions: HS-PS2.4, HS-PS2.5; PS3.A: Definitions of Energy: Secondary to PS2.5
Unit 7: Work and Energy
Unit 7: Work and Energy
Suggested Pacing: 6 weeks
Textbook Chapters/Lessons: Chapter 4
Key Objectives:
Key Objectives:
Develop and use models to illustrate that energy at the macroscopic scale can be accounted for as a combination of energy associated with the motions of particles (objects) and energy associated with the relative positions of particles (objects).
Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy.
Build and test the effciency for a simple machine.
Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that the transfer of thermal energy when two components of different temperature are combined within a closed system results in a more uniform energy distribution among the components in the system (second law of thermodynamics).
Suggested Activities & Resources:
Suggested Activities & Resources:
Model dwelling construction and insulation used in traditional Alaskan dwellings before modern insulating material sbecame available.
Standards List: PS3.A: Definitions of Energy: HS-PS3.1, HS-PS3.2; PS3.B: Conservation of Energy & Energy Transfer: HSPS3.1, PS3.D: Energy in Chemical Properties: HS-PS3.3, HS-PS3.4
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