Science Learning Outcomes # 12
Unit 1, Lesson 2
Name: ______________________________
Test Date: ___________________________
Students need to learn and understand the meaning of the following vocabulary words AND be able to
apply them to a variety of situations.
1. physical property – a property that can be observed without changing the identity of an
object
2. mass- a measure of the amount of matter in an object
3. conduction- the passing of heat through a material while the material itself stays in place
4. magnetism- the ability of an object to push or pull on another object that has the
magnetic property
5. light transmission – the movement of light through a substance or object
6. chemical property –a property that is shown when a substance interacts with other
substances
7. volume – measures how much space matter takes up
Students will learn in class about the following topics. Be prepared to be assessed on them.
1. Physical properties that can be observed without having to measure an object, such as color, are called
qualitative properties. Properties that can be measured, such as mass are quantitative properties.
2. What is the difference between mass and weight? The mass of an object is the amount of matter in
an object. The weight of an object is the pull of gravity on it, which varies from planet to planet.
3. A pan balance measures mass, a scale measures weight, and a graduated cylinder measures volume.
4. Newtons(N) and pounds(lbs) are used to measure weight. Kilograms (kg) and grams (g) are used to
measure mass. Milliliters (mL) and cubic centimeters (cm³) are used to measure volume.
5. If an object has more mass, it will also have more weight. Gravity is greater on planets with more
mass, so an object’s weight depends on the planet it is on. An object’s mass is the same on different
planets.
6. For a regular shaped object, like a rectangular prism, you calculate the volume by multiplying Length
x Width x Height: (LxWxH). For objects with irregular shapes, the volume can be found by using a
graduated cylinder or beaker. Put water in the beaker or graduated cylinder, record the level of the
water. Put the object in the water. The change in the water level indicates the object’s volume. The
volume of liquids and irregularly shaped objects is measured in milliliters (mL). The volume of regularly
shaped solids is usually measured in cubic centimeters (cm³).
7. Density equals mass divided by volume. D= mass Be able to solve density problems.
Volume
8. The density of an object depends on the type of material. Larger objects do not always have more
mass. Density is determined by how much matter is in a given volume. An object with less density has
less mass in a given volume. An object with greater density has more mass in a given volume.
9. Objects can float as a result of buoyancy. Buoyancy is the resistance to sinking. It occurs because the
liquid that is being pushed out of the way pushes back on the object. If an object is denser than the
liquid, it sinks. If the object is less dense than the liquid (meaning the liquid is denser than the object), the
object floats. Buoyancy depends on density. If you change the mass or volume of an object, you can
change whether it will float. Buoyancy also depends on shape.
10. Surface tension also depends on mass, volume, and shape. Density only depends on mass and
volume, not shape.
11. To increase buoyancy in a boat, the boat must have a large volume for its mass. It must have a
shape that makes it stable but holds a lot of air to reduce its overall density.
12. Besides density, buoyancy, and surface tension, what are some other physical properties? Some
examples are: Color, mass, volume, conduction, magnetism, light transmission, weight
13. Give examples of types of matter that transfer heat faster than others.
Iron, steel, aluminum, and other metals are good conductors
14. Examples of kinds of matter that do not transfer heat very well are air, water, wood, and plastic.
15. Transparent objects allow more light to pass through. Translucent objects, like waxed paper, ice, or
frosted glass, blur light as it passes through. Opaque objects allow little or no light to pass through.
16. Some chemical properties of a substance are flammability (the ability to catch fire or burn), how a
substance reacts with other substances, and corrosiveness (the gradual eating away of metals when
they combine with nonmetals from the environment)
17. Elements in the same column on the periodic table have similar chemical properties. The closer to
the bottom of the periodic table, the more reactive they are. Be able to tell if two elements have similar
chemical properties by looking at a periodic table. For example: Flammability is a chemical property
of hydrogen. Does lithium also have that chemical property? Yes, Hydrogen and Lithium are in the
same column on the periodic table, so they have similar chemical properties.
18. Elements in the far left column of the periodic table are the alkali metals. These elements easily form
compounds with other substances and never exist by themselves in nature.
19. To the right of the alkali metals are the alkaline earth metals. These metals are not as reactive as
alkali metals. Some alkaline earth metals are essential to life. Examples of this are calcium and
magnesium.
20. Transition metals are a large block of elements in the center of the periodic table. They react slowly
with other substances.
21. When left outside, some metals will corrode. For example, iron corrodes by rusting.
22. The last column on the periodic table contains the most stable elements – the noble gases. These
elements rarely react with other substances. To the left of the noble gases are the halogens. Halogens are
the most reactive nonmetals. Examples of halogens are chlorine, fluorine, and bromine.
23. Properties can be classified as extensive properties or intensive properties. Physical properties can
be extensive or intensive. Chemical properties can only be intensive. Extensive properties depend on
the amount of substance present. Examples of extensive properties are mass, length, volume. Intensive
properties do not depend on the amount of substance present. Examples of intensive properties are
density, boiling point, and freezing point.
24. Why is the temperature at which a substance boils or freezes classified as a physical property and not
a chemical property? Chemical properties describe the way a substance reacts with other substances.
When a substance boils or freezes, it changes state. Shanges of state are physical properties.
25. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius/212 degrees Fahrenheit; Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius/32
degrees Fahrenheit.
26. If an object covers a large enough area of the water’s surface, it can float on the water because of the
surface tension of water particles.