Welcome to CPS
College Physical Science is a rigorous introductory level course in the study of the physical and biological sciences. The goal of the course is to provide a strong knowledge base of the sciences coupled with a constant focus on the study techniques, learning methodologies and laboratory skills which are essential in achieving future success in college preparatory biology, chemistry and physics courses.
Throughout our study of topics which include the structure and behavior of matter, measurement and scientific inquiry, the fundamentals of mechanics, the various forms of and transformations of energy, biological molecules and the freshwater environment, we will provide you with the tools necessary to build a foundation of understanding of both the technical concepts and their relevance to your every day lives.
Our intent as a teaching team is to instill a feeling of confidence in you as a scientific thinker and doer, as a participant in scientific groups, and as a communicator of scientific ideas. This CPS course is designed to help you acquire both scientific knowledge of the world and scientific habits of the mind at the same time. Many methods of instruction are used to meet your needs and cultivate your appreciation of the scientific endeavor. The format of the class will vary. We will have days of reading and taking notes, days of laboratory, days of data analysis, days of problem solving, days of lectures, videos, outside investigations, and group activities.
As a CPS student you are required to have a loose leaf notebook which you must bring to class each day. This notebook will be filled with over 100 handouts throughout the year. You will be graded on your upkeep of this notebook. Handouts must be organized and arranged numerically for easy access. Homework is given every night and checked every day. Notebook checks are randomly carried out. Each quarter you will be evaluated based on quiz and test scores, an independent project and homework.
To achieve success in this course you must arrive to class every day prepared (completed homework, textbook, notebook, pencil) and ready to learn. You will be given an annotated, concise, course assignment outline, which will contain day-to-day homework assignments, the daily class topics and activities, as well as a detailed outline of the objectives of the unit. This will enable you to keep track of where we are in the course and what is expected of you. If you are absent for any reason, you are responsible for any work you have missed. You must come to see your teacher during non-class time to pick up assignments and handouts that you missed. Your teacher will not remind you. This is your responsibility
Since everyone learns in different ways and at different paces, you may find you need additional assistance on certain topics. As this course is taught by several teachers, there is always someone available to provide extra help if you need it. Just come by the Science office during a free period or before or after school. Please don't wait until the day before a quiz or test to ask for help. It is our job to be there for you every day. If you want to meet with a specific teacher make sure to schedule a time that you both have free. If you have scheduled a time and cannot make it, please let us know as soon as possible.
The next few sections contain a syllabus for the course. We will do our best to stick to this syllabus, but if changes arise, we will provide you with a new outline.
COLLEGE PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSE OUTLINE
OVERVIEW:
College Physical Science (CPS) is a team-taught, highly organized ninth grade curriculum designed around the topics of measurement and scientific inquiry, graphical data analysis, the chemical structure and behavior of matter, the forms of and transformations of energy, Newton’s Laws of motion and forces, conservation of energy and momentum, chemical entropy and enthalpy, the laws of thermodynamics, mechanical heat and heat transfer, wave motion and electromagnetic radiation, electricity and electromagnetism and freshwater ecology in the local environment. Emphasis is placed on developing a knowledge base, study techniques, and laboratory skills which will provide a framework for development in college preparatory biology, chemistry, and physics, while simultaneously addressing the comprehensive Science Department goals and objectives.
COURSE CONTENT:
A. How Scientists Think and Work (Note: This material is presented throughout the year. The skills outlined below will be addressed in each of the topic areas that we study.)
Objectives - These key skills are needed by all scientists:
1.
Understand what we mean by science and technology.
2. Describe how science depends on observation, prediction, experimentation, and problem solving.
3. Make detailed scientific observations.
4. Pose questions and form hypotheses based on observation, research, experimentation, and previous
knowledge.
5. Recognize the difference between observation and inference.
6. Read, interpret, and examine the credibility and validity of scientific claims in different sources of
information, such as scientific articles, advertisements, or media stories.
7. Identify weight, mass, volume, temperature, time and appropriate metric units.
8. Understand the relationship between the English and metric systems of measurement and be able to convert
from one to the other.
9. Use appropriate metric system tools for measuring mass, length and volume.
10.Demonstrate a familiarity with lab safety and reporting procedures.
11.Devise and demonstrate activities to show an understanding of the scientific method.
12.Demonstrate the ability to design a controlled scientific experiment.
13.Properly use instruments, equipment, and materials (such as scales, probeware, meter sticks, microscopes,
computers, etc.) including: set-up, calibration (if required), technique, maintenance, and storage.
14.Interpret data in the form of bar charts, pie charts, histograms, and linear graphs.
15.Show and interpret data in the form of a histogram using mean, median, mode and ranges.
16.Present relationships between variables in appropriate forms.
a.Represent data and relationships between variables in charts and graphs.
b.Use appropriate technology (such as graphing software, etc.) and other tools.
17.Use mathematical operations to analyze and interpret data results.
18.Identify reasons for inconsistent results, such as sources of error or uncontrolled conditions, and assess the
reliability of data.
19.Use results of an experiment to develop a conclusion to an investigation that addresses the initial questions
and supports or refutes the stated hypothesis.
20.State questions raised by an experiment that may require further investigation.
21.Construct and use tables and graphs to interpret data sets.
22.Solve simple algebraic expressions and perform slope calculations.
23.Perform basic statistical procedures to analyze the center and spread of data.
24.Measure with accuracy and precision (length, volume, mass, temperature, time, etc.)
25.Convert within a unit (such as, centimeters to meters).
26.Use common prefixes such as milli-, centi-, and kilo-.
27.Use scientific notation, where appropriate.
28.Use ratio and proportion in the solution of problems.
29.Determine the correct number of significant figures.
30.Determine percent error from experimental and accepted values.
31.Use appropriate metric/standard international (SI) units of measurement for mass (kg); length (m); time (s);
force (N); speed (m/s); acceleration (m•s-2); frequency (Hz); work and energy (J); power (W); momentum
(kg•m/s); electric current (A); electric potential difference/voltage (V); and electric resistance ().
32.Use Celsius and Kelvin scales.
B. Atomic Theory
Objectives - After completing this introductory chemistry section you will be able to:
1.Describe historical models of the atom.
2.Construct an accurate Bohr model of an atom
3.Describe protons, electrons and neutrons in terms of charge, mass and location.
4.Use the periodic table to identify, for any atom, the atomic mass, atomic number, symbol and electron
configuration in terms of energy levels.
5.Use periodic table and properties to determine if an element is a metal or non-metal.
6.Recognize families of elements on the periodic table and know their common uses.
7.Use flame tests to identify alkali and alkaline earth metals.
8.Define atom neutrality and stability, and ion charge.
9.Predict the behavior of an atom in terms of its electron structure, stability and ionic charge.
10. Describe patterns of atomic behavior in terms of the arrangement of the periodic table.
C. Classification of Matter
Objectives - After completing this second chemistry section you will be able to:
1.Understand the nature of the study of chemistry.
2.Define and identify elements, compounds, and mixtures.
3.Classify matter as pure or impure, homogeneous or heterogeneous.
4.Recognize common materials as elements, compounds or mixtures.
5.Identify a solution, solvent, solute, colloid and suspension.
6.Devise and perform experiments for separating mixtures.
7.Use electrolysis for separating water and identify the resulting elements.
8.Interpret molecular formulas.
D. Properties of Matter
Objectives - After completing this third chemistry section, you will be able to:
1.Identify chemical and physical properties of matter.
2.Determine densities of liquids and solids.
3.Understand density as a physical property, and be able to predict the results of combining different types of
materials with differing densities.
Activities: Quarter Project - Careers in Science: Computer generated presentation
E. Chemical Bonding and Chemical Equations
Objectives: After completing this advanced chemistry section you will be able to:
1.Define ionic and covalent bonds.
2.Show, in diagram form, the bonding behavior of particular atoms.
3.Recognize and write chemical formulae and names for compounds based on bonding patterns.
4.Identify and list signs of a chemical reaction in the lab.
5.Identify the major categories of chemical reactions and be able to predict the results of combining two
materials.
6.Write accurate, balanced chemical equations.
7.Identify acids and bases by learning their common properties and understanding their typical reactions.
F. The Kinetic Theory of Matter
Objectives: After completing this final chemistry section you will be able to:
1.Describe the kinetic theory of matter.
2.Define the states of matter and change of state.
3.Demonstrate change of state and heat relationships.
4.Describe the structure of the water molecule, and the comparative molecular structure of ice, liquid water and
water vapor.
5.Interpret phase change graphs - melting, freezing and boiling point, three states of matter.
6.Create phase change graphs based on experimental data.
7.Outline the hydrologic cycle.
Activity: Quarter Project - Construct a molecular model.
G. Motion
Objectives - After completing this first physics section you will be able to:
1.Define and distinguish between motion, distance/displacement, speed/velocity, time and constant acceleration.
2.Solve problems involving distance/displacement, speed/velocity, time and constant acceleration.
3.Use computer based lab activities to graphically interpret motion.
4.Interpret line graphs for motion such as displacement vs. time, distance vs. time, speed vs. time, velocity vs.
time, and acceleration vs. time for constant acceleration conditions.
5.Compare and contrast vector quantities(displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, linear momentum) with
scalar quantities(distance, speed, energy, mass, work)
6.Define and give examples of force.
7.Use free body diagrams to show forces acting on a pair of interacting objects.
8.Use and apply vector diagrams to resolve co-linear and perpendicular vector addition problems.
9.Solve problems using Newton's three laws of motion.
10. Define and measure static and kinetic friction.
11. Calculate weight in newtons.
12. Define and solve problems involving centripetal motion.
13. Define and solve problems involving Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation.
H. Conservation of Energy & Momentum
Objectives - After completing this third physics section you will be able to:
1.Compare and contrast potential and kinetic energy.
2.Analyze energy changes in a pendulum, a roller coaster and similar phenomena.
3.List, give examples of and recognize mechanical, sound, nuclear, electrical, heat, light and chemical energy
and their transformations.
4.Explain the Law of Conservation of Matter and Energy.
5.Define and solve problems using the work/energy theorem.
6.Define, give examples of and be able to measure work, power and efficiency.
7.Solve problems involving force, work and power.
8.Calculate your personal horsepower.
Activity: Quarter Project – The Home Experiment
I. Mechanical Heat & Heat Transfer
Objectives - After completing this physics section you will be able to:
1.Describe and demonstrate conduction, convection and radiation.
2.Describe the three laws of thermodynamics and give examples of the application of each.
3.Describe the relationship between average kinetic energy and temperature.
4.Define energy transformations which occur during phase changes and interpret heating and cooling curves.
5.Distinguish between melting/freezing, heating/cooling, boiling(evaporation)/condensing for solid-liquid-gas
phase changes.
6.Explain the relationship among temperature change in a substance for a given amount of heat transferred, the
amount (mass) of the substance, and the specific heat of the substance.
7.Understand the mechanics of your home heating system.
8.List features of an energy efficient home.
J. Wave Motion, Electromagnetic Radiation & Light
Objectives – After completing this Physics section you will be able to:
1.Study the fundamentals of mechanical wave motion.
2.Analyze longitudinal and transverse pulses generated on a slinky wave machine.
3.Describe and solve problems using the measurable properties of waves including velocity, frequency,
wavelength, amplitude and period.
4.Recognize examples of simple harmonic motion.
5.Distinguish between mechanical and electromagnetic waves.
6.Describe the fundamental principals of reflection, refraction, and diffraction.
7.Recognize mechanical wave speed’s dependence on the wave medium (solid, liquid, gas).
8.Qualitatively describe the Doppler Effect.
9.Recognize that electromagnetic waves are transverse waves and travel at the speed of light through a vacuum.
10. Describe the electromagnetic spectrum in terms of frequency and wavelength and identify the location of radio
waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet),
ultraviolet rays, x-rays, and gamma rays on the spectrum.
K. Electricity & Magnetism
Objectives – After completing this Physics section you will be able to:
1.Recognize that an electric charge tends to be static on insulators and can move on and in conductors, and
explain that energy can produce a separation of charges.
2.Develop a qualitative and quantitative understanding of current, voltage, resistance, and the connection
between them (Ohm’s law).
3.Analyze simple arrangements of electrical components in both serial and parallel circuits. Recognize symbols
and understand the functions of common circuit elements (battery, connecting wire, switch, fuse, and
resistance) in a schematic diagram.
4.Describe conceptually the attractive or repulsive forces between objects relative to their charges and the
distance between them (Coulomb’s law).
5.Explain how electric current is a flow of charge caused by a potential difference (voltage) and how power is
equal to current multiplied by voltage.
6.Recognize that moving electric charges produce magnetic forces and moving magnets produce electric forces.
7.Recognize that the interplay of electric and magnetic forces is the basis for electric motors, generators, and
other technologies.
L. Biology
Objectives - After completing this freshwater ecology section you will be able to:
1.Describe seasonal characteristics of a New England pond.
2.Define ecology, biotic, and abiotic factors, ecosystem, habitat, population, community and niche.
3.Identify the important features of the Cochituate Lake Watershed.
4.Identify geographical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the Sudbury River ecosystem.
5.Demonstrate water tests for dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity and silica.
6.Describe a food web and food chain and identify trophic levels within a natural community.
7.Demonstrate collection and sorting of river bottom samples.
8.Give an example of and describe a chemical cycle in nature (water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen
cycle.)
Activity - Quarter Project - Choose, participate in, and report on an Earth Service project.
