Unit: The Scientific Method Length: 3 WEEKS Grade 7 Science Enduring Understanding and Essential Questions Competencies Concepts Key Vocabulary The scientific method is problem solving guide based on identification of a problem, gathering information, stating a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis through experimentation, making careful observations, organizing and analyzing the data and drawing a conclusion based on the experimental results. What is the difference between an observation and an inference? How do you know when you have direct or indirect evidence? Explain the importance of accuracy and precision in Describe the safe and appropriate use of instruments and scales to accurately and safely make measurements Make inferences based on scientific models (e.g., charts, graphs, diagrams). Unbalanced forces acting on an object cause changes in its velocity. One of the fundamental forces that exist in the universe is gravity. Observations are made using the 5 senses. Inferences are judgments made based on observations. Direct evidence is based on observations. Indirect evidence are made based on inferences. Observation Inference Direct evidence Indirect evidence Ascertain Confirmation Verification Experiment Control Hypothesis Manipulative or independent variable Responding or dependent variable Graph Practical Application Technology Source of error Lab Obscertainer dish Investigation
Unit: Atomic theory Length: 4 WEEKS Enduring Understanding and Essential Questions Competencies Concepts Key Vocabulary Atomic Molecular theory of matter: Matter has observable physical properties and the potential to mix and form new materials How do scientists identify and sort materials? What patterns in the properties of the elements contribute to the layout of the periodic table? What the differences between substances and mixtures? In what ways has the theory of the atom changed over time due to technological improvements? How are changes in matter accompanied by changes in energy? Explain how certain questions can be answered through scientific inquiry and/or technological design. Design, implement, record, explain, and justify safe and effective laboratory procedures to determine the relationship between two variables, controlling for other factors that might also affect the relationship. Provide examples of when it is correct to use the terms scientific theory as opposed to an opinion. Use models and patterns to make predictions, draw inferences, or explain scientific and technological concepts. All matter is made up of particles, which are far too small to see directly through a microscope. Particles are always in motion with the smallest motion in solids, and the largest motion in gases. Elements are the basic building blocks of matter that cannot be broken down chemically and are made up of all the same type of atom. There are over 100 known elements each with characteristics and properties from which all other matter is made. Matter Physical properties Energy Models Graphs Gravity Element Solid Liquid Gas Atom Proton Neutron Electron Nucleus Energy level Positive Neutral Negative Periodic table Ion Isotope Metal Non-metal Magnetic Conductive Lab Periodic table of the elements Research project
Unit: Current Electricity Length: 14 WEEKS Enduring Understanding and Essential Questions Competencies Concepts Key Vocabulary Current Electricity is the flow of negative charges called electrons. Circuits are series, parallel or a combination of series and parallel called complex. How are the properties of series circuits different from parallel circuits? What are loads, nonloads, safety devices and power sources? How are electromotive force (EMF or voltage), current (amperes) and Electrical resistance (pressure) related? Use appropriate quantitative data to describe or interpret change in electrical circuit systems. Describe sources and forms of energy and explain their transformations. Describe a system (electrical circuit) as a group of related parts with specific roles that work together to achieve an observed result. Moving electric charges produce magnetic forces and moving magnets produce electric forces. Batteries store chemical energy and transform it into electrical energy. Electromagnetic energy can be transferred when an electrical source such as a battery or generator is connected in a complete circuit to an electrical device. Current Generator Battery Electrochemical cell Rechargeable cell Circuit Electrical device Load Non-load Safety device Power source Conductor Non-conductor Electromotive force Voltage Current Amperes Resistance Pressure Series circuit Parallel circuit Complex circuit Labs Series Circuits Parallel Circuits Complex Circuits Resistance and Ohms law Resistor code
Unit: Static Electricity Length: 6 WEEKS Enduring Understanding and Essential Questions Competencies Concepts Key Vocabulary Static electricity is the accumulation of electrical charges on a surface. What is the Electrostatic theory based on? How is friction involved in static electricity? What are the rules of electrical charges concerning attraction and repulsion? How do conductors and insulators differ? All electrical phenomena are caused by the movement of electrons. Static charges are caused by an imbalance of negatively and positively charged particles. Static charges can result from materials rubbing against one another. Electrostatics Friction Attract Repel Neutral Negative Positive Protons Electrons Balanced charges Electrophorus Electroscope Electrostatic pendulum Leyden jar Van de Graff generator Electrostatic series Conductor Insulator Ground Induction Conduction Dipolar Labs Electro static therory The Electrophorus The Leyden jar
Unit: Force and Energy Length: 3 WEEKS Enduring Understanding and Essential Questions Competencies Concepts Key Vocabulary A force is basically a push or a pull that can cause a change in speed, direction or shape. What is the cause of all motion in the universe? What is Law of the conservation energy? How do energy transformations explain that energy is neither created nor destroyed? An object will stay at rest or continue at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external, unbalanced force. Unbalanced forces acting on an object cause changes in its velocity. One of the fundamental forces that exist in the universe is gravity. The gravitational force is a universal force that depends on how much mass the objects have and how far apart they are. is a measure of the amount of matter in an object. Friction is an example of a force that opposes motion between two surfaces. Force Gravity Friction Velocity Acceleration Elasticity Inertia Energy Potential energy Kinetic energy Centripetal Centrifugal Momentum Resistance Work Effort Equilibrium Torque Weight Speed Rotation Percession Vector Resultant Interactive Demonstrations Spinning lifts Cup on a sling Spinning Bicycle wheel Spinigig Pendulum
Unit: Simple Harmonic Motion Length: 2 WEEKS Enduring Understanding and Essential Questions Competencies Concepts Key Vocabulary A pendulum is a device that displays simple harmonic motion (SHM) which is defined as the movement of a body over the same path. What is simple harmonic motion? How is SHM related to the swinging of a pendulum? What variables affect the cycle, period and timing of a pendulum? One of the fundamental forces that exist in the universe is gravity. Friction is an example of a force that opposes motion between two surfaces. An object will stay at rest or continue at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external, unbalanced force. Pendulum Pivot point Bob Displacement Amplitude Length Inertia of res and motion Cycle Vibration Frequency Period Simple harmonic motion Hertz Potential Kinetic and potential energy Gravity Labs The swinging pendulum Testing for displacement Testing for mass Testing for length Acceleration due to gravity Checking for period using a formula
Unit: Newtonian Laws of Force & Motion Length: 2 WEEKS Enduring Understanding and Essential Questions Competencies Concepts Key Vocabulary Newtonian Laws of Force & Motion: An object's motion is the result of all forces acting on it. What causes objects to move? What are Newton s three laws of motion? An object will stay at rest or continue at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external, unbalanced force. Unbalanced forces acting on an object cause changes in its velocity. Models (graphs) of an object s velocity versus time can be used to infer the presence of absence of unbalanced forces. The gravitational force is a universal force that depends on how much mass the objects have and how far apart they are. is a measure of the amount of matter in an object. Friction is an example of a force that opposes motion between two surfaces. Inertia of rest Inertia of motion Balanced force Unbalanced force Applied force, Opposing force Velocity Acceleration Kilogram Newton Action Reaction Potential energy Kinetic energy Gravity Friction Weight Magnitude Lab Investigating Newton s 3 laws of motion Inertia F=ma Action/Reaction
Unit: Energy Transfer Length: 2 WEEKS Enduring Understanding and Essential Questions Competencies Concepts Key Vocabulary All energy starts out as potential, stored by either position or by condition. Energy of moving objects is called Kinetic energy. How is Potential energy (PE) related to Kinetic energy (KE)? How do you determine the amount of PE in any object? How do you determine the amount of KE in any object? How do you determine the amount of Power in any object? Explain the importance of accuracy and precision in Make inferences based on scientific models (e.g., charts, graphs, diagrams). Energy is the ability or capacity to do work. Potential energy is stored energy by either position or condition. Kinetic energy is the energy of moving objects Potential energy Kinetic energy Position Condition Joules Distance Time Velocity Kilogram Speed Direction Lab Energy lab Measuring time Calculating velocity Calculating PE Calculating KE Calculating Power
Unit: Gravitation Length: 2 WEEKS Enduring Understanding and Essential Questions Competencies Concepts Key Vocabulary The Universal law of Gravitation applies to all objects in the Universe. What is Gravity? On the Earth, what is the Acceleration due to gravity? Do all objects fall at the same rate? and communicate and One of the fundamental forces that exist in the universe is gravity. The gravitational force is a universal force that depends on how much mass the objects have and how far apart they are. The acceleration due to gravity on earth is 9.8 meters per second squared. Gravity Time Distance Velocity Final velocity Acceleration Lab Gravity