Physical Science Curriculum Outline

Properties of Matter

What is physical science?

What are the properties of matter?

What are the states of matter?

How matter changes states

Density

Defining, measuring density

Specific gravity

Displacement

Elements

Periodic table

Atoms and their parts

Atomic mass, atomic number

Metals and nonmetals

Noble gases

Isotopes

Compounds and Mixtures

Differences and similarities between compounds and mixtures

Ionic and covalent bonding

Solutions and suspensions

Solutes/solvents

Water as the universal solvent

Emulsions, suspensions, and colloids

Chemicals and Chemical Reactions

Chemical equations, oxidation, reduction

Synthesis reactions, decomposition reactions

pH, Acids, Bases, and the pH scale

Force

Gravity, force, friction, pressure, resistance

Motion

Motion, speed, acceleration, momentum

Newton’s laws of motion

Energy and Work

Forms of energy, how energy changes form

Work and Power

Measuring work

Heat, light, and sound

Electricity and magnetism

Insulators, conductors, batteries

Measuring electrical current, Ohm’s law

Parallel and series circuits

Magnetism and how it is related to electricity