9th Grade Physical Science Course Syllabus
Unit #1: Introduction to Science
Objectives:
Describe the main branches of natural science and relate them to each other.
Describe the relationship between science and technology.
Distinguish between scientific laws and scientific theories.
Explain the roles of models and mathematics in scientific theories and laws.
Understand how to use critical thinking skills to solve problems.
Describe the steps of the scientific method.
Explain the objective of a consistent system of units, and identify the SI units for length,
mass, and time.
Identify what each common SI prefix represents, and convert measurements.
Interpret line graphs, bar graphs, and pie charts.
Use scientific notation and significant figures in problem solving.
Identify the significant figures in calculations.
Understand the difference between precision and accuracy.
State Standards:
3.1.10.A-E Unifying Themes
3.2.10.A-F Inquiry and Design
Shared Activities and Assessments
Available Equipment and Materials, Storage Location
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Metal density rods
Plastic graduated cylinders
Rulers
Unit #2: Matter
Objectives:
Explain the relationship between matter, atoms, and elements.
Distinguish between elements and compounds.
Describe molecules, and explain how they are formed.
Interpret and write some common chemical formulas.
Categorize materials as pure substances or mixtures.
Distinguish between the physical and chemical properties of matter, and give examples
of each.
Perform calculations involving density.
Explain how materials are suited for different uses based on their physical and chemical
properties, and give examples.
Describe characteristic properties, and give examples.
Explain physical change, and give examples of physical changes.
Explain chemical change, and give examples of chemical changes.
Compare and contrast physical and chemical changes.
Describe how to detect whether a chemical change has occurred.
State Standards:
3.1.10.A-E Unifying Themes
3.2.10.A-F Inquiry and Design
3.4.10. A Explain concepts about the structure and properties of matter.
Shared Activities and Assessments
Available Equipment and Materials, Storage Location
Unit #3: States of Matter
Objectives:
Summarize the main points of the kinetic theory of matter.
Describe how temperature relates to kinetic energy.
Describe four common states of matter.
List the different changes in state, and describe how particles behave in each state.
State the laws of conservation of mass and conservation of energy, and explain how they
apply to changes of state.
Explain how gases differ from solids and liquids.
State and explain the following gas laws: Boyle’s law, Charles’s law, and Gay-Lussac’s
law.
Describe the relationship between gas pressure, temperature, and volume.
State Standards:
3.1.10.A-E Unifying Themes
3.2.10.A-F Inquiry and Design
3.4.10. A Explain concepts about the structure and properties of matter.
Shared Activities and Assessments
Available Equipment and Materials, Storage Location
Unit # 4: Atoms and the Periodic Table
Objectives:
Explain Dalton’s atomic theory, and describe why it was more successful than
Democritus’s theory.
State the charge, mass, and location of each part of an atom according to the modern
model of the atom.
Compare and contrast Bohr’s model with the modern model of the atom.
Relate the organization of the periodic table to the arrangement of electrons within an
atom.
Explain why some atoms gain or lose electrons to form ions.
Determine how many protons, neutrons, and electrons an atom has, given its symbol,
atomic number, and mass number.
Describe how the abundance of isotopes affects an element’s average atomic mass.
Locate alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals, and transition metals in the periodic table.
Locate semiconductors, halogens, and noble gases in the periodic table.
Relate an element’s chemical properties to the electron arrangement of its atoms.
State Standards:
3.1.10.A-E Unifying Themes
3.2.10.A-F Inquiry and Design
3.4.10. A Explain concepts about the structure and properties of matter.
Shared Activities and Assessments
Available Equipment and Materials, Storage Location
Unit # 5: The Structure of Matter
Objectives:
Distinguish between compounds and mixtures.
Relate the chemical formula of a compound to the relative numbers of atoms or ions
present in the compound.
Use models to visualize a compound’s chemical structure.
Describe how the chemical structure of a compound affects its properties.
Explain why atoms sometimes join to form bonds.
Explain why some atoms transfer their valence electrons to form ionic bonds, while other
atoms share valence electrons to form covalent bonds.
Differentiate between ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds.
Compare the properties of substances with different types of bonds.
Name simple ionic and covalent bonds.
Predict the charge of a transition metal cation in an ionic compound.
Write chemical formulas for simple ionic compounds.
Distinguish a covalent compound’s empirical formula from its molecular formula.
Describe how carbon atoms bond covalently to form organic compounds.
Identify the names and structures of groups of simple organic compounds and polymers.
Identify what makes up the polymers that are essential to life.
State Standards:
3.1.10.A-E Unifying Themes
3.2.10.A-F Inquiry and Design
3.4.10. A Explain concepts about the structure and properties of matter.
Shared Activities and Assessments
Available Equipment and Materials, Storage Location
Unit # 6: Chemical Reactions
Objectives:
Recognize some signs that a chemical reaction may be taking place.
Explain chemical changes in terms of the structure and motion of atoms and molecules.
Describe the differences between endothermic and exothermic reactions.
Identify situations involving chemical energy.
Distinguish among five general types of chemical reactions.
Predict the products of some reactions based on the reaction type.
Describe reactions that transfer or share electrons between molecules, atoms, or ions.
Demonstrate how to balance chemical equations.
Interpret chemical equations to determine the relative number of moles of reactants
needed and moles of products formed.
Explain how the law of definite proportions allows for predictions about reaction
amounts.
Identify mole ratios in a balanced chemical equation.
Calculate the relative masses of reactants and products from a chemical equation.
Describe the factors affecting reaction rates.
Explain the effect a catalyst has on a chemical reaction.
Explain chemical equilibrium in terms of equal forward and reverse reaction rates.
Apply Le Châtelier’s principle to predict the effect of changes in concentration,
temperature, and pressure in an equilibrium process.
State Standards:
3.1.10.A-E Unifying Themes
3.2.10.A-F Inquiry and Design
3.4.10. A Explain concepts about the structure and properties of matter.
Shared Activities and Assessments
Available Equipment and Materials, Storage Location
Unit # 7: Solutions
Objectives:
Distinguish between heterogeneous mixtures and homogeneous mixtures.
Compare the properties of suspensions, colloids, and solutions.
Give examples of solutions that contain solids or gases.
Explain how the polarity of water enables it to dissolve many different substances.
Relate the ability of a solvent to dissolve a solute to the relative strengths of forces
between molecules.
Describe three ways to increase the rate at which a solute dissolves in a solvent.
Explain how a solute affects the freezing point and boiling point of a solution.
Explain the meaning of solubility and compare the solubilities of various substances.
Describe dilute, concentrated, saturated, unsaturated, and supersaturated solutions.
Relate changes in temperature and pressure to changes in solubility of solid and gaseous
solutes.
Express the concentration of a solution as molarity, and calculate the molarity of a
solution given the amount of solute and the volume of the solution.
State Standards:
3.1.10.A-E Unifying Themes
3.2.10.A-F Inquiry and Design
3.4.10. A Explain concepts about the structure and properties of matter.
Shared Activities and Assessments
Available Equipment and Materials, Storage Location
Unit # 10: Forces and Motion
Objectives:
Explain the relationship between motion and a frame of reference.
Relate speed to distance and time.
Distinguish between speed and velocity.
Solve problems related to time, distance, displacement, speed, and velocity.
Describe the concept of acceleration as a change in velocity.
Explain why circular motion is continuous acceleration even when the speed does not
change.
Calculate acceleration as the rate at which velocity changes.
Graph acceleration on a velocity-time graph.
Explain the effects of unbalanced forces on the motion of objects.
Compare and contrast static and kinetic friction.
Describe how friction may be either harmful or helpful.
Identify ways in which friction can be reduced or increased.
Identify the law that says that objects change their motion only when a net force is
applied.
Relate the first law of motion to important applications, such as seat-belt safety issues.
Calculate force, mass, and acceleration by using Newton’s second law.
Explain that gravitational force becomes stronger as the masses increase and rapidly
becomes weaker as the distance between the masses increases.
Evaluate the concept that free-fall acceleration near Earth’s surface is independent of the
mass of the falling object.
Demonstrate mathematically how free-fall acceleration relates to weight.
Describe orbital motion as a combination of two motions.
Explain that when one object exerts a force on a second object, the second object exerts a
force equal in size and opposite in direction on the first object.
Show that all forces come in pairs commonly called action and reaction pairs.
Recognize that all moving objects have momentum.
State Standards:
3.1.10.A-E Unifying Themes
3.2.10.A-F Inquiry and Design
3.4.10.C Distinguish among principles of force and motion
Shared Activities and Assessments
Available Equipment and Materials, Storage Location
Unit # 12: Work, Power, and Energy
Objectives:
Define work and power.
Calculate the work done on an object and the rate at which work is done.
Use the concept of mechanical advantage to explain how machines make doing work
easier.
Calculate the mechanical advantage of various machines.
Name and describe the six types of simple machines.
Discuss the mechanical advantage of different types of simple machines.
Recognize simple machines within compound machines.
Explain the relationship between energy and work.
Define potential energy and kinetic energy.
Calculate kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy.
Distinguish between mechanical and nonmechanical energy.
Define temperature in terms of the average kinetic energy of atoms or molecules.
Convert temperature readings between the Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin scales.
Recognize heat as a form of energy transfer.
Investigate and demonstrate how energy is transferred by conduction, convection, and
radiation.
Identify and distinguish between conductors and insulators.
Solve problems involving specific heat.
Describe the concepts of different heating and cooling systems.
Compare different heating and cooling systems in terms of their transfer of usable
energy.
Explain how a heat engine uses heat energy to do work.
State Standards:
3.1.10.A-E Unifying Themes
3.2.10.A-F Inquiry and Design
3.4.10.B Analyze energy sources and transfers of heat
3.4.10.C Distinguish among principles of force and motion
Shared Activities and Assessments
Available Equipment and Materials, Storage Location
Unit # 14: Waves
Objectives:
Recognize that waves transfer energy.
Distinguish between mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves.
Explain the relationship between particle vibration and wave motion.
Distinguish between transverse waves and longitudinal waves.
Identify the crest, trough, amplitude, and wavelength of a wave.
Define the terms frequency and period.
Solve problems involving wave speed, frequency, and wavelength.
Describe the Doppler effect.
Describe how waves behave when they meet an obstacle or pass into another medium.
Explain what happens when two waves interfere.
Distinguish between constructive interference and destructive interference.
Explain how standing waves are formed.
Recognize what factors affect the speed of sound.
Relate loudness and pitch to properties of sound waves.
Explain how harmonics and resonance affect the sound from musical instruments.
Describe the function of the ear.
Explain how sonar and ultrasound imaging work.
Recognize that light has both wave and particle characteristics.
Relate the energy of light to the frequency of electromagnetic waves.
Describe different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Explain how electromagnetic waves are used in communication, medicine, and other
areas.
Describe how light reflects off smooth and rough surfaces.
Explain the law of reflection.
Show how mirrors form real and virtual images.
Explain why objects appear to be different colors.
Describe how colors may be added or subtracted.
State Standards:
3.1.10.A-E Unifying Themes
3.2.10.A-F Inquiry and Design
3.4.10.B Analyze energy sources and transfers of heat
3.4.10.C Distinguish among principles of force and motion
Shared Activities and Assessments
Available Equipment and Materials, Storage Location
Unit # 16: Electromagnetism
Objectives:
Indicate which pairs of charges will repel and which will attract.
Explain what factors affect the strength of the electric force.
Describe the characteristics of the electric field due to a charge.
Describe how batteries are sources of voltage.
Explain how a potential difference produces a current in a conductor.
Define resistance.
Calculate the resistance, current, or voltage, given the other two quantities.
Distinguish between conductors, superconductors, semiconductors, and insulators.
Use schematic diagrams to represent circuits.
Distinguish between series and parallel circuits.
Calculate electric power using voltage and current.
Explain how fuses and circuit breakers are used to prevent circuit overload.
Recognize that like magnetic poles repel and unlike poles attract.
Describe the magnetic field around a permanent magnet.
Explain how compasses work.
Describe how magnetism is produced by electric currents.
Interpret the magnetic field of a solenoid and of an electromagnet.
Explain the magnetic properties of a material in terms of magnetic domains.
Explain how galvanometers and electric motors work.
Describe the orientation of Earth’s magnetic field.
Describe the conditions required for electromagnetic induction.
Apply the concept of electromagnetic induction to generators.
Explain how transformers increase or decrease voltage across power lines.
State Standards:
3.1.10.A-E Unifying Themes
3.2.10.A-F Inquiry and Design
3.4.10.B Analyze energy sources and transfers of heat
3.4.10.C Distinguish among principles of force and motion
Shared Activities and Assessments
Available Equipment and Materials, Storage Location