Physical Science Course Syllabus



Textbook:
Holt Physical Science

Online Resources:
Holt Online Learning www.hrw.com/online
ptable.com

Course Objective:
Chemistry and physics help explain our universe. This course is a broad overview of the physical sciences. It is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of measurement and scientific method, including objective critical thinking, experimental design, and data analysis. The properties, composition and structure of matter as well as motion, mechanics, light, heat, electricity and sound will be covered. This is a preassessed class – it will give the student groundwork in these important science concepts for use in future classes in the sciences and will prepare them for the High School Assessment test.

Course Syllabus:
Chapter 1-- Introduction to Science and Measurement—Objectives
1. Define the different branches of physical science and know what they entail.
2. Scientific method – determine the differences between variables and controls in an experiment.
3. Know the relationship between theory and law.
4. Review measurement and units.
5. Use the factor label method to convert measured or calculated quantities from one unit to another
6. Scientific notation – a way to express really big and really small numbers easily.
7. Use an algebraic equation to solve for an unknown quantity, given or having calculated all the other quantities in the equation.
Chapter 2-- Properties of Matter— Objectives

1. Explain the relationship between matter, atoms and elements.
2. Distinguish between element, and compounds.
3. Describe molecules and how they are formed.
4. Interpret and write some common chemical formulas.
5. Categorize materials as pure substances or mixtures.
6. Distinguish between the physical and chemical properties of matter.
7. Perform calculations involving density.
8. Explain how materials are suited for different uses based on their physical properties, and give examples.
9. Describe characteristic properties and give some examples.
10. Explain physical change, and give some examples of physical changes.
11. Explain chemical change and give some examples of chemical changes.
12. Compare and contrast physical and chemical changes.
13. Describe how to detect when a chemical change has occurred.
Chapter 3 – States of Matter – Objectives
1. Summarize the main points of the kinetic theory of matter.
2. Describe how temperature relates to kinetic energy.
3. Describe the 4 states of matter.
4. List the different changes in state, and describe how particles behave in each state.
5. State the Law of Conservation of Mass and Conservation of Energy and explain how they apply to changes of state.
6. Fluids: Describe the buoyant force and explain how it keeps objects afloat.
7. Define Archimedes’ principle.
8. Explain the role of density in an object’s ability to float.
9. State and apply Pascal’s and Bernoulli’s principles.
10. Explain how gases differ from solids and liquids.
11. State and explain the following gas laws: Boyle’s law, Charles’ Law, and Gay-Lussac’s law.
12. Describe the relationship between gas pressure, temperature and volume.
Chapter 4 – Atoms and the Periodic Table—Objectives
1. Explain Dalton’s atomic theory, and explain why it was more successful than Democritus’s theory.
2. State the charge, mass and location of each part of an atom according to the modern model of the atom.
3. Compare and contrast Bohr’s model with the modern model of the atom.
4. Relate the organization of the periodic table to the number of protons and the arrangement of electrons within an atom.
5. Explain why some atoms gain or lose electrons to form ions.
6. Determine how many protons, neutrons and electrons an atom has, given its symbol, atomic number, and mass number.
7. Describe how the abundance of isotopes affects an element’s average atomic mass.
8. Locate alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals, and transition metals in the periodic table.
9. Locate semiconductors, halogens, and noble gases in the periodic table.
10. Relate an element’s chemical properties to the electron arrangement of its atoms.
Chapter 5 – The Structure of Matter – Objectives
1. Distinguish between compounds and mixtures.
2. Relate the chemical formula of a compound to the relative numbers of atoms or ions present in the compound.
3. Use models to visualize a compound’s chemical structure.
4. Describe how the chemical structure of a compound affects its properties.
5. Explain why atoms sometimes join to form bonds.
6. Explain why some atoms transfer their valence electrons to form ionic bonds, while other atoms share valence electrons to form covalent bonds.
7. Differentiate between ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds.
8. Compare the properties of substances with different types of bonds.
9. Name simple ionic and covalent compounds.
10. Predict the charge of a transition metal cation in an ionic compound.
11. Write the chemical formulas for simple ionic compounds.
12. Distinguish a covalent compound’s empirical formula from its molecular formula.
13. Describe how carbon atoms bond covalently to form organic compounds.
14. Understand photosynthesis and the carbon cycle.
15. Identify the names and structures of groups of simple organic compounds and polymers.
16. Identify what makes up the polymers that are essential to life.
Chapter 6 – Chemical Reactions – Objectives
1. Recognize some signs that a chemical reaction may be taking place.
2. Explain chemical changes in terms of the structure and motion of atoms and molecules.
3. Describe the difference between endothermic and exothermic reactions.
4. Identify situations involving chemical energy.
5. Distinguish among the five types of chemical reactions.
6. Predict the products of some reactions based on the reaction type.
7. Describe reactions that transfer or share electrons between molecules, atoms, or ions.
8. Demonstrate how to balance chemical equations.
9. Interpret chemical equations to determine the relative number of moles of reactants needed and moles of products formed.
10. Explain how the law of definite proportions allows for predictions about reaction amounts.
11. Identify mole ratios in a balanced chemical equation.
12. Calculate the relative masses of reactants and products from a chemical equation.
13. Describe the factors affecting reaction rates.
14. Explain the effect a catalyst has on a chemical reaction.
15. Explain chemical equilibrium in terms of equal forward and reverse reaction rates.
16. Apply Le Chatelier’s principle to predict the effect of changes in concentration, temperature and pressure in an equilibrium process.

Chapter 7 – Solutions – Objectives
1. Distinguish between heterogeneous mixtures and homogeneous mixtures.
2. Compare the properties of suspensions, colloids and solutions.
3. Give examples of solutions that contain solids or gases.
4. Explain the meaning of solubility and compare the solubilities of various substances.
5. Describe dilute, concentrated, saturated, unsaturated and supersaturated solutions.
6. Relate changes in temperature and pressure to changes in solubility of solid and gaseous solutes.
7. Express the concentration of a solution as molarity, and calculate the molarity of a solution given the amount of solute and the volume of solution.

Chapter 8 – Acids, Bases and Salts—Objectives
1. Describe the ionization of strong acids in water and the dissociation of strong bases in water.
2. Distinguish between solutions of weak acids or bases and strong bases in water.
3. Relate pH to the concentration of hydronium ions (H3O+) and hydroxide ions (OH-) in a solution.
4. Write ionic equations for neutralization reactions.
5. Identify the products of a neutralization reaction.
6. Describe the composition of a salt.
7. Describe the chemical structures of soaps and detergents and explain how they work.
8. Describe the chemical composition of bleach and its uses.
9. Describe how an antacid reduces stomach acid.
10. Identify acidic and basic household products and their uses.
Chapter 21 – Planet Earth – Objectives
1. Identify Earth’s different geological layers.
2. Explain how the presence of magnetic bands on the ocean floor supports the theory of plate tectonics.
3. Describe the movement of Earth’s lithosphere using the theory of plate tectonics.
4. Identify the three types of plate boundaries and the principle structures that form at each of these boundaries.
5. Identify the causes of an earthquake.
17. Distinguish between primary, secondary and surface waves in earthquakes.
18. Describe how earthquakes are measured and rated.
19. Explain how and why volcanoes occur.
20. Describe the different types of common volcanoes.
21. Identify the three types of rock.
22. Explain the properties of each type of rock based on physical and chemical conditions under which the rock was formed.
23. Describe the rock cycle and how rocks change form.
24. Explain how the relative and absolute ages of rocks are determined.
25. Distinguish between chemical and physical weathering.
26. Explain how chemical weathering can form underground caves in limestone.
27. Describe the importance of water to chemical weathering.
28. Identify three different physical elements that can cause erosion.

Chapter 10 – Motion – Objectives
1. Explain the difference between motion and a frame of reference.
2. Relate speed to distance and time.
3. Distinguish between speed and velocity.
4. Solve problems related to time, distance, displacement, speed and velocity.
5. Explain the effects of unbalanced forces on the motion of objects.
6. Compare and contrast static and kinetic friction.
7. Describe how friction may be either harmful or helpful.
8. Identify ways in which friction can be reduced or increased.
Chapter 11 – Forces – Objectives
1. Identify the law that says that objects change their motion only when a net force is applied.
2. Relate the first law of motion to important applications, such as seat belt safety issues.
3. Calculate force, mass and acceleration by using Newton’s second law.
4. Explain that gravitational force becomes stronger as the masses increase and rapidly become weaker as the distance between the masses increases, F = G (m1m2  d2)
5. Evaluate the concept that free-fall acceleration near Earth’s surface is independent of the mass of a falling object.
6. Demonstrate mathematically how free-fall acceleration relates to weight.
7. Describe orbital motion as a combination of two motions.
8. Explain that when one object exerts a force on a second object, the second object exerts an equal force in size and opposite in direction on the first object.
9. Show that all forces come in pairs commonly called action and reaction pairs.
10. Recognize that all moving objects have momentum.
Chapter 12 – Work and Motion – Objectives
1. Define work and power.
2. Calculate the work done on an object and the rate at which work is done.
3. Use the concept of mechanical advantage of various machines.
4. Calculate the mechanical advantage of various machines.
5. Name and describe the six types of simple machines.
6. Discuss the mechanical advantage of different types of machines.
8. Recognize simple machines within compound machines.
9. Explain the relationship between energy and work.
10. Define potential energy and kinetic energy.
11. Calculate kinetic energy and gravitational pull energy.
12. Distinguish between mechanical and nonmechanical energy.
13. Identify and describe transformations of energy.
14. Explain the law of conservation of energy.
15. Discuss where energy goes when it seems to disappear.
16. Analyze the efficiency of machines.

Chapter 13 – Heat and Temperature – Objectives
1. Define temperature in terms of the average kinetic energy of atoms or molecules.
2. Convert temperature readings between the Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin scales.
3. Recognize heat as a form of energy transfer.
4. Investigate and demonstrate how energy is transferred by conduction, convection and radiation.
5. Identify and distinguish between conductors and insulators.
6. Solve problems involving specific heat.
7. Describe the concepts of different heating and cooling systems.
8. Compare different heating and cooling systems in terms of their transfer of usable energy.
9. Explain how a heat engine uses heat energy to do work.

Chapter 14 – Waves – Objectives
1. Recognize that waves transfer energy.
2. Distinguish between mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves.
3. Explain the relationship between particle vibration and wave motion.
4. Distinguish between transverse waves and longitudinal waves.
5. Identify the crest, trough, amplitude, and wavelength of a wave.
6. Define the terms frequency and period.
7. Solve problems involving wave speed, frequency, and wavelength.
8. Describe the Doppler effect.
9. Describe how waves behave when they meet an obstacle or pass into another medium.
10. Explain what happens when two waves interfere.
11. Distinguish between constructive interference and destructive interference.
12. Explain how standing waves are formed.
Chapter 15 – Sound and Light – Objectives
1. Recognize what factors affect the speed of sound.
2. Relate loudness and pitch to properties of sound waves.
3. Explain how harmonics and resonance affect the sound of musical instruments.
4. Describe the function of the ear.
5. Explain how sonar and ultrasound imaging work.
6. Recognize that light has both wave and particle characteristics.
7. Relate the energy of light to the frequency of electromagnetic waves.
8. Describe different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
9. Explain how electromagnetic waves are used in communication, medicine, and other areas.
10. Describe how light reflects off smooth and rough surfaces.
11. Explain the law of reflection.
12. Show how mirrors form real and virtual images.
13. Explain why objects appear to be different colors.
14. Describe how colors may be added or subtracted.
15. Describe how light is refracted as it passes between mediums.
16. Explain how fiber optics uses total internal reflection.
17. Explain how converging and diverging lenses work.
18. Describe the function of the eye.
19. Describe how prisms disperse light and how rainbows form.

Chapter 16 – Electricity -- Objectives
1. Indicate which pairs of charges will repel and which will attract.
2. Explain what factors affect the strength of the electric force.
3. Describe the characteristics of the electric field due to a charge.
4. Describe how batteries are sources of voltage.
5. Explain how a potential difference produces a current in a conductor.
6. Define resistance.
7. Calculate the resistance, current, or voltage, given the other two quantities.
8. Distinguish between conductors, superconductors, semiconductors and insulators.
9. Use schematic diagrams to represent circuits.
10. Distinguish between series and parallel circuits.
11. Calculate electric power using voltage and current.
12. Explain how fuses and circuit breakers are used to prevent circuit overload.

Chapter 16 – Magnetism – Objectives
1. Recognize that like magnetic poles repel and unlike poles attract.
2. Describe the magnetic field around a permanent magnet.
3. Explain how compasses work.
4. Describe the orientation of Earth’s magnetic field.
5. Describe how magnetism is produced by magnetic currents.
6. Interpret the magnetic field of a solenoid and of an electromagnet.
7. Explain the magnetic properties of a material in terms of magnetic domains.
8. Explain how galvanometers and electric motors work.
9. Describe the conditions required for electromagnetic induction.
10. Apply the concept of electromagnetic induction to generators.
11. Explain how transformers increase or decrease voltage across power lines

This is not cast in stone, but we will try to stick by it as much as possible.

Grading and other Classroom Policies
Class work will be given daily. This will in the form of exercises designed to further your understanding of the class material. This may be done individually, in pairs or groups as the assignment calls for it. Class work is worth 5-20 points depending on the length and difficulty of the assignment.
Homework assignments will be given, but they will be short and based on that days notes and/or that nights readings.
Quizzes will be given weekly on Fridays and returned graded so that they may be used as a study aid for exams. The lowest quiz score of the semester will be dropped as any of us can have a bad day. I reserve the right to set pop quizzes at any time, so please keep up with the material. Most quizzes are worth 15 points.
Section Exams are worth 100 points.
Labs – some demonstration and some hands-on. Lab reports are to be written up in format and submitted on time. They will be worth 5-10 points depending on the length and difficulty of the assignment.
Make-up Work- It is your responsibility to make up all missing work and to follow protocol if you are to receive full credit for your work. Make-up work is only made available to students who have an excused absence from class.

Comprehensive Final Exam will count as 10% of your final semester grade.

Classroom participation is the key component of the learning experience. I encourage thoughtful questions, comments and pertinent tangents. The sciences have a language all their own and discussion is the best way to develop fluency. Please bear in mind that participation need not be verbal. Active listening is participating. We are here to learn, and apply what we learn to the real world. Notes will be taken by the students based on lectures, presentations and demonstrations.

This course satisfies one of the three science credits required for high school graduation.

Some Advice
The use of calculators is encouraged for this class (yes, even on quizzes and exams). Please get a calculator (they are available in most discount stores for a reasonable price) and learn how to use it properly. Show your work whenever possible. Process is more important than a correct answer many times and I will give partial credit if you make one small blunder in a string of calculations.

I encourage you to pay attention, take good notes and study hard. The vocabulary and memorization can be best handled with the use of handouts, notes, graded quizzes and hand-made flash cards. If you have questions or difficulty understanding a concept, please ask me to explain. I am here to help.

Classroom Rules
All students are expected to follow school rules as outlined in the Cambridge-South Dorchester High School Student Handbook. Classroom rules that are stressed in this classroom are:
1. Arrive at class on time – be equipped and ready to learn.
• This means be in your assigned seat when the late bell rings, have all class materials out and wait quietly for instruction.
To be prepared for class have the following every day:
 3 ring binder (1” or larger) with loose leaf paper for notes
 Sharpened pencils and/or pens
2. Keep your hands feet and objects to yourself.
3. Follow directions the first time they are given.
4. No cursing or teasing.
5. If you wish to address the teacher or the class please raise your hand and wait to be called upon.

The main thing is, don’t panic. I want you to do well and to come away from this prepared for whatever future science classes throw at you.

I want you to think scientifically! Making your own luck requires hard work! Exercise those neural pathways!