State Curriculum - Science

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Grade 6 Grade 8
Standard 5.0 Physics: Students will use scientific skills and processes to explain the interactions of matter and energy and the energy transformations that occur Standard 5.0 Physics: Students will use scientific skills and processes to explain the interactions of matter and energy and the energy transformations that occur
A. Mechanics A. Mechanics
1. Develop an explanation of motion using the relationships among time, distance, velocity, and acceleration.
  a. Observe, describe, and compare the motions of objects using position, speed, velocity, and the direction.
  b. Based on data given or collected, graph and calculate average speed using distance and time.
  c. Compare accelerated and constant motions using time, distance, and velocity.
  d. Describe and calculate acceleration using change in the speed and time.
2. Identify and relate formal ideas (Newton's Laws) about the interaction of force and motion to real world experiences.
  a. Investigate and explain the interaction of force and motion that causes objects that are at rest to move.
  b. Demonstrate and explain, through a variety of examples, that moving objects will stay in motion at the same speed and in the same direction unless acted on by an unbalanced force.
  c. Investigate and collect data from multiple trials, about the motion that explain the motion that results when the same force acts on objects of different mass; and when different amounts of force act on objects of the same mass.
  d. Based on data collected and organized, explain qualitatively the relationship between net force applied to an object and its mass for a given acceleration.
  e. Calculate the net force given the mass and acceleration.
3. Recognize and explain that every object exerts gravitational force on every other object.
  a. Explain the difference between mass and weight.
  b. Describe the relationship between the gravitational force and the masses of the attracting objects.
  c. Describe the relationship between the gravitational force and the distance between the attracting objects.
  d. Recognize and cite examples showing that mass remains the same in all locations while weight may vary with a change in location (weight on Earth compared to weight on moon).
  e. Recognize that gravity is the force that holds planets, moons, and satellites in their orbits.
4. Recognize and explain that energy can neither be created nor destroyed; rather it changes form or is transferred through the action of forces.
  a. Observe and describe the relationship between the distance an object is moved by a force and the change in its potential energy or kinetic energy, such as in a slingshot, in mechanical toys, the position of an object and its potential energy.
  b. Identify the relationship between the amount of energy transferred (work) to the product of the applied force and the distance moved in the direction of that force.
  c. Identify and describe that simple machines (levers and inclined planes) may reduce the amount of effort required to do work.
  • Calculate input and output work using force and distance
  • Demonstrate that input work is always greater than output work
B. Thermodynamics B. Thermodynamics
1. Describe and cite evidence that heat can be transferred by conduction, convection and radiation.
  a. Based on observable phenomena, identify and describe examples of heat being transferred through conduction and through convection.
  b. Based on observable phenomena, identify examples to illustrate that radiation does not require matter to transfer heat energy.
  c. Research and identify the types of insulators that best reduce heat loss through conduction, convection, or radiation.
2. Identify and explain that heat energy is a product of the conversion of one form of energy to another.
  a. Identify and describe the various forms of energy that are transformed in order for systems (living and non-living) to operate.
  • Chemical - Flashlight battery-Light
  • Mechanical - Pulleys-Motion
  • Solar/Radiant - Solar calculator
  • Chemical - Plant cells
  b. Explain that some heat energy is always lost from a system during energy transformations.
C. Electricity and Magnetism C. Electricity and Magnetism
2. Cite evidence supporting that electrical energy can be produced from a variety of energy sources and can itself be transformed into almost any other form of energy.
a. Research and identify various energy sources and the energy transforming devices used to produce electrical energy
  • Wind (generators, wind mills)
  • Sun (solar cells)
  • Water (turbines)
  • Fossil fuels (engines)
 
b. Cite examples that demonstrate the transformation of electrical energy into other forms of energy.
 
c. Investigate and describe that some materials allow the quick, convenient, and safe transfer of electricity (conductors), while others prevent the transfer of electricity (insulators).
 
d. Identify and describe the energy transformations in simple electric circuits.
 
3. Identify and describe magnetic fields and their relationship to electric current.
a. Investigate and describe the magnetic fields surrounding various types of magnets using materials, such as iron filings and small comapasses.
  • A single bar magnet
  • Two bar magnets with like poles facing
  • Two bar magnets with opposite poles facing
  • A horseshoe magnet
 
b. Investigate and explain ways to change the strength of a simple electromagnet by varying the number of coils wrapped, the amount of electricity in the wire, the number of batteries used, and whether or not an iron core is used.
 
c. Describe how the electromagnet demonstrates the relationship of magnetism and electricity and identify common devices that demonstrate application of this relationship.
  • Electric motors (fans, hair dryers, can openers)
  • Electrical generators (turbine)
 
d. Based on investigations describe that electricity moving through a wire produces a magnetic force on materials placed near the wire.
  • Iron filings
  • Compasses
 
D. Wave Interactions D. Wave Interactions
1. Identify and describe the relationships among the various properties of waves.
a. Cite examples to show that waves transfer energy from one place to another.
 
b. Measure and describe the wavelength, frequency, and amplitude of waves using:
  • Water
  • Ropes
  • Springs
 
c. Measure and describe the relationship between the frequency and the wavelength of a wave.
 
2. Provide evidence to demonstrate the relationship among the properties of waves using sound.
a. Investigate and describe that the pitch of sounds can be varied by changing the rate of vibration.
 
b. Identify and describe the relationship among frequency, wavelength, and pitch.
 
c. Observe and describe the relationship between amplitude and loudness.
 
d. Cite evidence that sound waves transfer energy using observation of sympathetic tuning forks, tuned guitar strings, etc.
 
3. Investigate and cite the rules that govern behaviors of light.
a. Based on data generalize the law of reflection.
 
b. Cite evidence from observations and research to support the fact that something can be "seen" when light waves emitted or reflected by it enter the eye.
 
c. Based on observations predict the change in the direction (refraction) of light as it travels from one material to another.
 
d. Cite evidence that the amount of light energy absorbed or reflected depends on the color of the object illuminated.
 
 

Note: Highlighting identifies assessment limits. All highlighted Indicators will be tested on the Grades 5 and 8 MSA. The highlighted Objectives under each highlighted Indicator identify the limit to which MSA items can be written. Although all content standards are tested on MSA, not all Indicators and Objectives are tested. Objectives that are not highlighted will not be tested on MSA, however are an integral part of Instruction.

 

MSDE has developed a toolkit for these standards which can be found online at: http://mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/science/vsc_toolkit.html.

 

January 2008