Physical Science
9th grade
Unit 2: Matter
Topic: Phases of matter, gas laws, density, law of conservation of matter/mass
Designers: Science department
Stage 1 – Desired Results
Established Goals:
SPS5. Students will compare and contrast the phases of matter as they relate to atomic and
molecular motion.
a. Compare and contrast the atomic/molecular motion of solids, liquids, gases and plasmas.
b. Relate temperature, pressure, and volume of gases to the behavior of gases
SPS2. Students will explore the nature of matter, its classifications, and its system for naming
types of matter.
a. Calculate density when given a means to determine a substance’s mass and volume.
d. Demonstrate the Law of Conservation of Matter in a chemical reaction.
SPS7. Students will relate transformations and the flow of energy within a system.
b. Investigate molecular motion as it related to thermal energy changes.
d. Explain the flow of energy in phase changes through the use of a phase diagram.
Understandings:
Students will understand that…
All matter is made of constantly moving particles that collide without losing energy.
Four states of matter exist in the universe – solids, liquids, gases, and plasmas. These states are
determined by the amount of kinetic energy the particles hold.
Matter can be classified as pure substances or mixtures.
All matter has specific physical and chemical properties and can undergo changes in both.
Essential Questions:
How does the state of matter define its properties?
Students will be able to…
Describe particle movement in the four states of matter.
Explain particle behavior at the boiling point.
Explain how a gas is affected when pressure, temperature, or volume is changed.
Give an example of Boyle’s Law at work.
Give an example of Charles’s Law at work.
Calculate density using appropriate units.
Physical Science
9th grade
Students will know…
Language:
Binary, chemical equation, covalent bonding, electron cloud, electron, ionic bonding, isotopes, IUPAC
nomenclature, Law of Conservation of Matter, matter, neutron, nucleus, proton, atomic motion, gas,
Law of Conservation of Energy, liquid, plasma, pressure, solid, temperature, volume, absorb,
conduction, convection, energy, heat capacity, heat, kinetic energy, phase diagram, potential energy,
radiation specific heat, system, temperature, thermal energy
According to the Kinetic Theory – all matter is made of constantly moving particles that collide without
losing energy.
Four phases / states of matter exist: solids, liquids, gases, and plasma
Thermal energy is the total energy of materials’ particles including kinetic – vibrations and movement
within and between the particles and potential – resulting from forces that act within or between
particles.
The thermal energy in the particles of matter determines the state of the matter.
The particles in a solid are closely packed and constantly vibrating in their “home” position. Attractions
between particles hold the solid together in a specific formation; definite shape & definite volume. The
particles of solids do not have enough kinetic energy to overcome the forces between particles.
The particles in liquids are moving more freely than the particles in a solid. They have enough kinetic
energy to slip out of the ordered arrangement of a solid. Particles in liquid have more kinetic energy
than particles in a solid. This extra kinetic energy allows particles to partially overcome the attraction to
other particles. Thus, the particles can slide past each other allowing liquids to flow and take the shape
of their container.
Gas particles have enough kinetic energy to overcome the attraction between them. Gases do not
have a fixed volume or shape. The particles that are moving fast enough can escape the attraction
forces of other particles and enter the gas state.
The most common state of matter but the most unfamiliar is plasma. Plasma is matter consisting of
positively and negatively charged particles that exist at extremely high temperatures. The particles of
plasma move at high speeds, therefore collisions occur with great force. The forces produced from
high-energy collisions strip electrons from the matter. Plasma can be found in stars (including the Sun),
lightning bolts, neon and fluorescent tubes, and auroras.
Temperature is the average kinetic energy in a substance or how fast the particles are moving.
Pressure is the amount of pressure per unit of area. It is measured in the SI unit, pascal (Pa)
Volume is the amount of space occupied by an object.
Density is the mass per unit of volume.
Density = mass
Volume
possible units g/cm3
Archimedes’ principle states that the buoyant force of an object in a fluid is equal to the weight of the
fluid displaced.
Pascal’s principle states that pressure applied to a fluid is transmitted unchanged throughout the fluid.
Physical Science
9th grade
Bernoulli’s principle states that the pressure exerted by a fluid decreases as its velocity increases.
Gas pressure results from moving particles colliding with the inside walls of the container.
Boyle’s law that the volume of a gas decreases when the pressure increases at constant temperature.
Charles’s law states that the volume of a gas increases when the temperature increases at constant
pressure.
Stage 2 – Assessment Evidence
Performance Tasks:
Key Criteria:
Other Evidence:
Quizzes
Vocabulary
Reports/Presentations Properties of Fluids
Tests
Demonstration
Essay
Diagrams
Phase diagrams
Activities
Density lab
Law of conservation lab
Airplane design lab
Stage 3 – Learning Plan
Learning Activities: approximately 2 weeks
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Physical Science
9th grade
FRIDAY