1. Define the following terms: Variable: a variable is any factor that can be controlled, changed, or measured in an experiment.

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1 Unit A: Scientific Method 1. Define the following terms: Variable: a variable is any factor that can be controlled, changed, or measured in an experiment. Dependent Variable: The dependent variable is the variable that you measure or observe. Independent Variable: The independent variable is the one condition that you change in an experiment. Controlled Variable: The controlled variable is the variable that does not change during an experiment. Hypothesis: an idea or explanation that you then test through study and experimentation Inference: the act or process of reaching a conclusion or opinion about something from known facts or evidence Observation: an act or instance of noticing or perceiving something using your five senses Prediction: The act of making an educated guess as to the outcome of a situation. Data: Facts collected from an experiment. 2. The steps Scientists use to solve a problem is called the Scientific Method. 3. List each of the steps of the scientific method. Ask a Question. **Research then, Formulate a Hypothesis. Design an Experiment. Analyze the Data. Draw a Conclusion. Share the Results 4. What is the difference between an observation and an inference in science class? An observation is when you use your "five senses" to determine - how something smells, looks, tastes, sounds, or feels. Where as an inference is something that you assume based on previous knowledge - such as, you would infer that a bug with wings will fly because you have seen other bugs with wings fly, even if you haven't seen that particular one fly. Read the following sentences and circle the letter of the word that best fills each blank: The 5 method is a process that scientists use to help them test new ideas. The first step in the process is defining the 6. Next, information must be gathered using one or more of the five 7.The scientist then makes an educated guess or a(n) 8. This is tested by performing one or more activities called 9. Observations are made and recorded. The recorded observations

2 are known as 10. Afterward, the scientist comes to a 11 that either supports or does not support the hypothesis. When a hypothesis is tested many times and supported by data, it becomes known as blank 5 variable scientific control biological 6. blank 6 conclusion data experiment question 7. blank 7 senses controls solutions solvents 8. blank 8 variable factor hypothesis conclusion 9. blank 9 theories experiments properties none of the above 10. blank 10 data hypotheses structures expressions 11. blank 11 meeting consideration laboratory conclusion 12. blank 12 solvent control deduction theory 13. What does it mean to ask a TESTABLE question? It's basically a hypothesis. You have to be able to disprove it. For example, "Is the sky blue?" is not a testable question because there's no way to disprove it. "Are all dogs allergic to chocolate?" is a testable question because you could conceivably set up an experiment to demonstrate that some dogs are not. 14. How should our hypotheses be written in this class? In the form of If, then. 15. What does it mean to make sure an experiment is CONTROLLED? Controlled experiment is one in which there is strict control exercised on variables, with typically one or more variables being changed or manipulated while all other variables are held constant or the same across experiments. 16. What s wrong with the following procedure step? Put sugar in the vase of the flowers. We don t know how much sugar to put in the vase. What are we testing? Do we have a control? Are we testing different amounts?

3 Unit B: Study Guide Matter, Properties, and Change 1. Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. a. Examples will vary but could include: desk (solid), whiteboard cleaner (liquid), oxygen in the air (gas) 2. Atoms 3. Drawing of an atom below 4. element, element a. Three examples could include but are not limited to: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen 5. The periodic table is an arrangement of the chemical elements, organized on the basis of their atomic number (number of protons in the nucleus). 6. Atomic number: 18 Atomic mass: Element Symbol: Ar Element Name: Argon Number of Protons: 18 Number of Neutrons: Answers will vary but could include: Physical Properties Physical Changes Chemical Properties Chemical Changes 1. color, smell 1. crumpling a sheet of paper / chopping wood 1. flammability 1. burning wood / rotting bananas / cooking an egg 2. freezing/boiling/ melting point 2. melting an ice cube / boiling water 2. rust 2. digesting food in your stomach 3. density 3. crushing a can/ breaking a bottle 3. acidity / reactivity 3. milk going sour / explosion of fireworks 8. Solubility, solute, solvent a. a solute s solubility depends on the chemical nature of the solvent b. another important factor that influences solubility is the temperature of the system c. the most common solvent is water 9. Density: a property that describes the relationship between mass and volume a. Density= mass/volume D=m/v 10. Container 1: solid; Container 2: gas; Container 3: liquid 11. solid, solid, solids, vibrate, solid, liquid 12. liquids, liquids, liquid, solid, liquid, liquid, gas 13. gases, gases, gas 14. heat, increased, decreased, solid, liquid, gas

4 15. Label each of the following transformations: 1. Solid Liquid = Melting 2. Liquid Solid = Freezing 3. Liquid Gas = Evaporation 4. Gas Liquid = Condensation

5 Unit C: Energy Conservation and Transfer 1. A. thermally B. mechanically C. electrically D. electromagnetic 2. thermal, heat, warm, cooler, conduction, convection, radiation, conduction, convection 3. Draw a picture which illustrates the three ways of heat transfer in matter. Student pictures may vary 4. conductors, insulators Draw an illustration of each below. Student drawings may vary. conductor insulator 5. conductors, conductor, insulator, conductors, insulators Draw an illustration of each below.

6 Student drawings may vary. Grade 6 Science Study Guide (ANSWER KEY) 6. electromagnetic Student drawings may vary. Absorption Transmission Refraction Reflection 7. Identify the 2 parts of this spectrum. Make sure that students know the entire spectrum is called the Electromagnetic spectrum and then that a small part of it is visible light. Need to know the functions of the other parts i.e. infrared rays deal with heat, ultraviolet also called UV rays come from the sun, etc. visible, electromagnetic, infrared, ultraviolet

7 Unit D: Waves 1. All waves transmit energy not matter. Nearly all waves travel through matter. Waves are created when a source (force) creates a vibration. Provide 3 examples of waves. Answers will vary but can include: Light, Sound, Seismic, Transverse, Longitudinal There are 2 main types of waves. Below you will see examples of both. You will need to be able to identify these and label their parts. 2. Draw your own example of a transverse wave. Be sure to sure to identify the basic characteristics: trough, crest, amplitude, and wavelength. See above 3. Draw your own example of a longitudinal (compressional) wave. Be sure to identify the basic characteristics: wavelength, rarefaction, and compression See above 4. Light travels in transverse waves. Something can be "seen" when light waves are emitted or reflected. Human eyes respond to only a narrow range of wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum. Differences of wavelength within that range are perceived as different colors of light.

8 8. Sound travels in longitudinal waves. Something can be "heard" when waves enter the ear. Sound is a form of energy that is caused when vibrating materials produce waves that move through matter. These waves have different characteristics such as frequency and amplitude, which will determine the properties of sound such as pitch and loudness. Provide a brief definition for each of the characteristics and properties of sound. Property/ Characteristic Definition 1. Frequency The number of waves that occur in a given amount of time 2. Amplitude The height of a wave 3. Pitch How high or low a sound seems based on its frequency 4. Loudness How loud or soft a sound seems and is determined by its amplitude 9. The form of the human ear can receive sound waves as vibrations and convert them to signals that are processed by the brain. Identify the order in which sound travels through the ear. 1) Ear Canal 2) Eardrum 3) Ossicles 4) Cochlea

9 Unit E: Rock Cycle/Soil Formation/Soil Conservation List the 5 components that soil is mixture of: 1. rock particles 2. minerals 3. decayed organic matter 4. water 5. air 3. The composition and texture of soil and its fertility and resistance to erosion are greatly influenced by plant roots and debris, bacteria, fungi, worms, insects, rodents, and other organisms. Which of the following listed adds air and breaks down organic matter in soil? Worms 4. Different soils have many properties such as texture, particle size, ph, fertility and ability to hold moisture. Soil particle size affects a soil s ability to hold moisture. Sand has the largest particle size and allows water to drain at a fast pace. Silt has a medium particle size and drains water at a steady rate. Clay has the smallest size and drains slowly. Humus creates a loose structure that simultaneously holds moisture and drains well. What conclusion can you make about particle size and the ability to hold moisture? The smaller the particle size, the less ability soil has to drain. The larger the particle size, the better the ability soil has to drain. 5. What type of soil has equal parts of sand, silt, and clay? Loam 6. Technology, such as remote sensing, has allowed humans to better study the human impact on soil quality and erosional processes so that the soil can be protected and preserved. Over time, remote sensing information can tell us how humans are constantly changing the surface of the Earth and what impact these changes are likely to produce. 7. How does crop rotation impact the soil? Crop rotation helps improve soil fertility. Unit E: Earth's Layer/Plates 1. Use the following diagram to label the layers of the Earth: A. Crust B. Mantle C. Outer Core D. Inner Core 2. The Earth has a solid inner core that is surrounded by a liquid outer core. The inner core is contains both iron metal and nickel. The mantle surrounds the core and is thick, hot and convective. The crust consists of

10 many continental and oceanic plates that have slowly moved and changed positions over time. Scientists call Earth s crust and upper mantle the lithosphere. 3. What type of heat transfer takes place in the mantle to allow tectonic plates to move? Convection 4. Tectonic Plate movement led to the breaking apart of what supercontinent? Pangaea 5. Illustrate the following tectonic plate movements. Use arrows to show what direction the plates are moving. Plate Subduction Divergent Plates Convergent Plates (Colliding) Transform Plate Boundary (Sliding) 6. Give an example of a type of geological event that can occur at each of the following plate boundaries: arcs Plate Subduction: When a plate subducts, an oceanic trench is formed which allows volcanic to form (such as the Ring of Fire). Convergent Plates: Convergent plates cause mountains to form. Divergent Plates: Divergent plates allow oceanic rifts and ridges to form. Transform Plates: At Transform Plate Boundaries, earthquakes occur. 7. You will need to know that during an earthquake, energy is released into the Earth as Body and Surface Waves. What is the difference between how body and surface waves travel on Earth? Body Waves travel through the Earth and Surface Waves travel along Earth s surface.

11 **Primary AND Secondary Waves are both considered Body Waves. Primary Waves can travel through solids and liquids, while Secondary Waves travel through solids. Match the following type of wave with its description: Primary Waves Secondary Waves Surface Waves Waves that are the slowest, largest, and cause the most destruction Waves that travel the fastest and cause rock material to move back and forth Waves cause rock particles to vibrate at right angles 8. Label the following diagram of an earthquake: Structures directly closest to the epicenter would have the most damage. What is a fault? A fault is a break in rock along which the ground has moved on either side.

12 Unit F: Structures & Functions of Flowering Plants & Plant Processes 1. Part of the Flower Function 1. Petals leaf like, usually colorful structures arranged in a circle around the top of a flower stem used to attract pollinators 2. Anther At the tip of the stamen is the anther. The anther produces pollen needed in fertilization. 3. Filament A long stalk that helps to support the anther, The filament is responsible for getting the pollen bearing anther as close to the top of the pistil as possible. 4. Sepal Sepals are leaves that encase the developing flower. May be either green or leaf like 5. Ovary The bottom portion of the pistil enlarges to form the ovary, a structure with one or more ovules, each containing one egg. When fertilization occurs the ovary grows into the fruit or vegetable. 6. Stigma At the tip of the pistil is the stigma. The stigma plays a pivotal role in reproduction. Its responsibility is to collect the pollen so that reproduction can occur. 7. Style is the stalk that supports the stigma and connects it to the ovary. One major function of the style is to assist with fertilization by being the location where pollen tubes travel to deliver pollen to the egg 8. Ovule The egg of the plant, which will become the new seed once fertilization occurs 2. Photosynthesis Cellular Respiration Food is created. Water is used. Carbon dioxide is used. Oxygen is created. Food is broken down. Water is created. Carbon dioxide is created. Oxygen is used.

13 Produces Oxygen and Glucose. Energy from the Sun helps to create glucose. Happens only in plants, in the presence of chlorophyll. Produces Energy (ATP), Carbon Dioxide, and Water. The glucose is then broken down and released as Energy (ATP) Occurs in all living things. 3. Transpiration 4. Dormancy 5. Tropism; Positive; Negative; answers will vary but can include the following: Positive- plants growing towards light, plants growing towards a water source, plants growing with gravity (example- roots), plants growing towards touch/pressure Negative- plants growing against gravity (example- stems)

14 Unit G: Ecosystems Grade 6 Science Study Guide (ANSWER KEY) 1. Ecosystem; producers; consumers; 1) sun 2) producers 3) consumers 4) decomposers 2. Food Chains; An example is provided below 3. A food web consists of all the food chains in a single ecosystem. Each living thing in an ecosystem is part of multiple food chains. Each food chain is one possible path that energy and nutrients may take as they move through the ecosystem. All of the interconnected and overlapping food chains in an ecosystem make up a food web. Organisms in food webs are grouped into categories called trophic levels. Roughly speaking, these levels are divided into producers (first trophic level), consumers, and decomposers (last trophic level); Producers make up the first trophic level. Producers, also known as autotrophs, make their own food and do not depend on any other organism for nutrition.the next trophic levels are made up of animals that eat producers. These organisms are called consumers. Detritivores and decomposers make up the last part of food chains. Detritivores are organisms that eat non living plant and animal remains. Decomposers, like fungi and bacteria, complete the food chain. Decomposers turn organic wastes, such as decaying plants, into inorganic materials, such as nutrient-rich soil. They complete the cycle of life, returning nutrients to the soil or oceans for use by autotrophs. This starts a whole new series of food chains. 4. An Energy Pyramid; An example is provided below

15 5. Cycle of Nature Processes 1. Water Precipitation, Evaporation, Condensation, Transpiration 2. Carbon/Oxygen Photosynthesis, Respiration, Decomposition 3. Nitrogen Nitrogen Fixation, Decomposition 6. Limiting; Limiting; Examples will vary, but can include the following: Freshwater= Pollution can cause the fish population to decline Marine= Increase in the shark population can cause the decrease of the small fish population Forest= Drought can cause a decrease in the plant population Desert= Variations of temperatures can cause the decrease in plant and animal populations Grassland= Overgrazing of antelope can cause the grass population to decrease Mountains= Increase in mountain lion population decrease in their prey population 7. Answers will vary, but can include the following: Biotic Factors- Increase/Decrease in predators, Increase/Decrease in prey, decrease of plant population, competition among organisms, food availability and supply Abiotic Factors- Temperatures, Wind, Flood, Drought, Sunlight, Shelter, Disease

16 GCS Grade 6 Science Unit H Study Guide Earth In The Universe 1. The moon and the Sun each exert a pull on the Earth. These forces can be aligned or in opposition to one another. The is the force which keeps our universe in alignment and the planets in their orbit, it is also the major source of heat and light. The is the force which has a major impact on the Earth s ocean tides. 2. T he alignment of the Sun, Earth and Moon can produce shadows on the Earth or Moon resulting in. They can sometimes be predictable. What happens in each of them? (Remember there are 2 of them!) 3. The Earth s north-south axis is at an angle, as compared with the plane of its orbit around the Sun. The (23.5 degrees) of the Earth causes all parts of the Earth to experience periods of daylight and darkness. The (23.5 degrees) of the Earth around the Sun on its axis along with its daily causes varying lengths of daylight on the Earth s surface as well as changes in the directness and intensity of sunlight. How long does it take Earth to complete this? 4. The Earth s around the sun in the path of an ellipse results in a yearly cycle of for much of the Earth s surface. The of the Earth s axis also results in the being reversed in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. (e.g.: winter in North America corresponds to summer in South America.) How long does it take Earth to complete this? 5. The Earth s revolves around the Earth as both go through space and revolve around the Sun. From Earth, it appears in a series of that repeat in a regular cycle.

17 GCS Grade 6 Science Unit H Study Guide Earth In The Universe 6. Since the rotational period of the moon is the same as its period of revolution around the Earth, the same side of the moon is always viewed from Earth. What is the period of time it takes for the moon to rotate/revolve around the Earth? 7. Create a list of objects that help to make up our solar system. 8. Planets are the largest objects in the solar system and due to the Sun s gravitational pull, they revolve around the sun with known frequencies. Eight planets of very different size, composition, and surface features move around the sun in nearly circular orbits. Some planets have a variety of moons and even flat rings of rock and ice particles orbiting around them. Some of these planets and moon show evidence of geologic activity. Fill in the following chart listing the planets (in the correct order from the sun) and their defining characteristics. Planet Outer or Inner Planet Defining Characteristics

18 GCS Grade 6 Science Unit H Study Guide Earth In The Universe The planet Earth formed in just the right place with just the right ingredients for life to flourish. What are these ingredients that allow for Earth to be the only planet in our Solar System to sustain life? 10. has allowed humans to learn much about the workings of the solar system, the composition of planets and moons, and the effects of many types of solar radiation on the Earth and its inhabitants. In preparing for the challenges of, people have developed tools and products that have become very important in enriching our lives. List some of those tools and products which were developed to help this effort.

19 GCS Grade 6 Science Unit H Study Guide Earth In The Universe Answer Key 1. gravitational; Sun; moon 2. eclipses; A "lunar eclipse" and a "solar eclipse" refer to events involving three celestial bodies: the Sun ("solar"), the moon ("lunar"), and the Earth. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Moon and the Sun, and the Earth's shadow obscures the moon or a portion of it. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking all or a portion of the Sun. 3. tilted; tilt; tilt; rotation; It takes the Earth 24 hours to complete one rotation. 4. revolution; seasons; tilt; seasons; It takes the Earth days to complete one revolution. 5. moon; phases; Examples of phases are shown in the diagram below 6. It takes the moon about 27 days or 1 month to complete a rotation/revolution around Earth. 7. The Solar System consists of the Sun, planets, moons, asteroids, meteors, comets, dust, gases and primarily empty space. 8. Planet Outer or Inner Planet Defining Characteristics 1. Mercury Inner Planet Mercury is the smallest planet. It has a dense iron core, and it has a weak gravitational force. Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, and for this reason is revolves more quickly around the sun than any other planet. Mercury has no atmosphere, and Mercury does not have any moons. 2. Venus Inner Planet Venus is about the same size as Earth. It has a similar composition to Earth, with a liquid core. However, Venus has a weak gravitational force. It is the second planet from the sun. Venus rotates on its axis very slowly, but it revolves around

20 GCS Grade 6 Science Unit H Study Guide Earth In The Universe the sun more quickly than Earth. There are high winds on the surface of Venus, and its atmosphere is very thick carbon dioxide. Venus has very high temperatures on the surface, and it is very dry. 3. Earth Inner Planet Earth is the largest of the inner planets. Earth is the third planet from the sun, and it has an oxygen-containing atmosphere and plenty of water on the surface. Earth has the strongest gravity of all the inner planets, and it has one moon. 4. Mars Inner Planet Mars is smaller than Earth and only slightly bigger than Mercury. It has less mass than Earth, so the gravitational force is weaker. Mercury is the fourth planet from the Sun, and it is colder and much dryer than Earth. The surface of Mars is red because of the presence of rust. Its atmosphere contains mostly carbon dioxide. Mars rotates on its axis at almost the same rate as Earth, but it takes longer to revolve around the sun. Mars has two moons: Deimos and Phobos. Mars used to have liquid water on its surface, which leads scientists to think that Mars may have once supported forms life. 5. Jupiter Outer Planet Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. It is composed of helium and hydrogen, with a small rocky core. Huge storms occur on the surface of Jupiter, especially at the red spot. It is not very dense because it is made up mostly of gases. It takes just under 10 hrs to rotate, and 12 earth years to revolve. Its atmosphere is made up mostly of hydrogen and

21 GCS Grade 6 Science Unit H Study Guide Earth In The Universe helium. Jupiter has more than 60 moons, some of which have water on their surface. 6. Saturn Outer Planet Saturn is 750 times the size of Earth. It is made up mostly of hydrogen, and has a liquid hydrogen core. Its atmosphere is made up of hydrogen and helium, and it also has violent storms on its surface. It is not very dense because it is mostly gas. Saturn has more than 40 moons. It has rings of ice and ice particles that distinguish it from the other planets. 7. Uranus Outer Planet Uranus is one deep ocean with a liquid rock core. Its atmosphere is made of hydrogen, helium, and methane gas. The methane in the atmosphere makes Uranus look blue-green. Uranus rotates on its side, and it has over 20 moons. 8. Neptune Outer Planet Neptune takes 165 years to orbit the sun. It is made of mostly gas and has 13 moons. There are violent storms on its surface, specifically at the great dark spot. The outer planets are farther than the Sun than the inner planets are; as a result, the outer planets are colder and have larger orbits and longer years. The outer planets are also larger than the inner planets and, unlike the inner planets, they lack solid surfaces. They also have numerous and larger moons. 9. Earth is surrounded by a thin atmosphere that contains nitrogen, oxygen, and other trace gases. This atmosphere provides the air that we breathe. It also helps to regulate the temperature so that we do not experience extreme hot or cold. Earth s atmosphere also contains a layer of ozone, a molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms, which provides protection from harmful solar radiation. Finally, three-quarters of Earth's surface is covered by water, a necessary ingredient for life. Earth is the only planet in the solar system that contains liquid water. 10. Space Exploration; Space Exploration; Answers will vary but can include the following: Space Suits, Rockets, Shuttles, Probes, Satellites, Telescopes, NASA, International Space Station, Hubble Space

22 GCS Grade 6 Science Unit H Study Guide Earth In The Universe Telescope, Spitizer Space Telescope, Fermi-Gamma Ray Telescope, Chandra X-Ray Observatory, Compton Gamma Ray Observatory

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