Rockingham County Public Schools
Eighth Grade Physical Science
Benchmarks
A Guide for Parent Involvement
1st Nine Weeks
Investigation of practical problems and
questions through research methods; PS.1
Chemicals and equipment are used safely
Metric system (length, mass, volume,density,
temperature, weight, force)
Conversions made among metric units using prefixes,
including nano
Numbers expressed in scientific notation
Reading scales, balances, thermometers, rulers, and
graduated cylinders to gather information
Construct, record and interpret data using various
graphs and data tables
Scientific method (research skills, research methods,
variables, constants, controls, repeated trials, drawing
conclusions, presenting conclusions in a written form)
An understanding of the nature of science is developed
and reinforced
Nature of Matter; PS.2
Particle theory of matter
Characteristics of types of matter based on physical and
chemical properties
Elements, compounds, mixtures, acids, bases, salts
Solids, liquids, gases, and plasma
Physical properties
Shape
Density
Solubility
Odor
Melting point
Boiling point
Color
Chemical properties
Acidity
Basicity
Combustibility
Reactivity
Modern and historical models of atomic
structure; PS.3
Contributions of Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr, and
Schrodinge
Modern model of atomic structure
Law of Conservation of Matter and Energy;
PS.5
Physical changes
Chemical changes
2nd Nine Weeks
Investigation of practical problems and
questions through research methods; PS.1
Chemicals and equipment are used safely
Metric system (length, mass, volume,density,
temperature, weight, force)
Conversions made among metric units using prefixes,
including nano
Numbers expressed in scientific notation
Reading scales, balances, thermometers, rulers, and
graduated cylinders to gather information
Construct, record and interpret data using various
graphs and data tables
Scientific method (research skills, research methods,
variables, constants, controls, repeated trials, drawing
conclusions, presenting conclusions in a written form)
An understanding of the nature of science is developed
and reinforced
Nature of Matter; PS.2
Elements, compounds, mixtures, acids, bases, salts
Modern and historical models of atomic
structure; PS.3
Contributions of Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr, and
Schrodinge
Modern model of atomic structure
Nanoscale and Nanotechnology
Periodic Table of the Elements; P.S.4
Symbols
Families
Periods
Atomic numbers
Atomic mass
Binary compounds
Formulas
Nature of bonding
Classifying elements as metals, metalloids, nonmetals
Law of Conservation of Matter and Energy;
PS.5
Physical changes
Chemical changes
Types of reactions, reactants and products
Balanced equations
Nuclear reactions (fission, fusion, effect on humans and
the environment)
States and Forms of Energy; PS.6
Potential energy
Kinetic energy
Mechanical energy
Chemical energy
Electrical energy
Radient
Thermal
Sound
Temperature scales, thermal, and heat transfer;
PS.7
Celsius
Kelvin
Absolute zero
Phase change
Freezing point
Melting point
Boiling point
Conduction
Convection
Radiation
Vaporization
Condensation
Applications of heat transfer
Evaporation
Periods
Atomic numbers
Atomic mass
Binary compounds
Formulas
Nature of bonding
Classifying elements as metals, metalloids, nonmetals
Work, force, motion; PS.10
Scientific principles and technological applications of
work, force, motion
Work
Force
Mechanical advantage
Efficiency
Power
Speed/velocity/acceleration
Newton’s three laws of motion
Applications (simple and compound machines, powered
vehicles, rockets restraining devices)
States and Forms of Energy; PS.6
Potential energy
Kinetic energy
Mechanical energy
Chemical energy
Electrical energy
Radient
Thermal
Sound
Electricity and Magnetism; PS.11
Static electricity
Current electricity
Circuits
Magnetic fields
Electromagnets
Motors
Generators
Conductors, semiconductors and insulators
3rd Nine Weeks
Investigation of practical problems and
questions through research methods; PS.1
Nature of Matter; PS.2
Elements, compounds, mixtures, acids, bases, salts
Modern and historical models of atomic structure;
PS.3
Contributions of Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr, and
Schrodinge
Modern model of atomic structure
Nanoscale and Nanotechnology
Periodic Table of the Elements; P.S.4
Symbols
Families
Law of Conservation of Matter and Energy;
PS.5
Physical changes
Chemical changes
Types of reactions, reactants and products
Balanced equations
Nuclear reactions (fission, fusion, effect on humans and
the environment)
Temperature scales, heat, and heat transfer;
PS.7
Celsius
Kelvin
Absolute zero
Phase change
Freezing point
Melting point
Boiling point
Conduction
Convection
Radiation
Vaporization
Condensation
Applications of heat transfer
Evaporation
Work, force, motion; PS.10
Scientific principles and technological applications of
work, force, motion
Work
Force
Mechanical advantage
Efficiency
Power
Speed/velocity/acceleration
Newton’s three laws of motion
Applications (simple and compound machines, powered
vehicles, rockets restraining devices)
Electricity and Magnetism; PS.11
Static electricity
Current electricity
Circuits
Magnetic fields
Electromagnets
Motors
Generators
Conductors, semiconductors and insulators
Sound Waves; PS.8
Sound and sound waves
Wave length
Frequency
Amplitude
Speed
Resonance
The nature of mechanical waves
Technological application of sound
4th Nine Weeks
Nature of Matter; PS.2
Particle theory of matter
Characteristics of types of matter based on physical and
chemical properties
Elements, compounds, mixtures, acids, bases, salts
Solids, liquids, gases, and plasma
Physical properties
Shape
Density
Solubility
Odor
Melting point
Boiling point
Color
Chemical properties
Acidity
Basicity
Combustibility
Reactivity
Law of Conservation of Matter and Energy;
PS.5
Physical changes
Chemical changes
Types of reactions, reactants and products
Balanced equations
Nuclear reactions (fission, fusion, effect on humans and
the environment)
Temperature scales, heat, and heat transfer; PS.7
Celsius
Kelvin
Absolute zero
Phase change
Freezing point
Melting point
Boiling point
Conduction
Convection
Radiation
Vaporization
Condensation
Applications of heat transfer
Evaporation
Nature and technological applications of light; PS.9
Reflection
Refraction
Diffraction
Interference
Images formed by lenses and mirrors
Electromagnetic spectrum
Parts of light waves
Work, force, motion; PS.10
Scientific principles and technological applications of
work, force, motion
Work
Force
Mechanical advantage
Efficiency
Power
Speed/velocity/acceleration
Newton’s three laws of motion
Applications (simple and compound machines, powered
vehicles, rockets restraining devices)
SOL Test review
SOL Test
Review of previous units, enrichment activities,
investigations and projects based on application of interest
areas in science.
** The numbers throughout the Benchmarks refer to
the Virginia Science Standards of Learning objectives.
For example, “PS.4” refers to Eighth Grade Physical
Science SOL objective number “4”.
Updated 2012-13