Julia DiOrio

EDIS5050: Fall 2015

VA SOLs
Topic: Properties of matter
Middle School Physical Science
PS.2 The student will investigate and
understand the nature of matter. Key
concepts include
a) the particle theory of matter;
b) elements, compounds, mixtures,
acids, bases, and salts;
c) solids, liquids, and gases;
d) physical properties;
e) chemical properties;
f) characteristics of types of matter
based on physical and chemical
properties

High School Chemistry

CH. 5 The student will investigate and
understand that the phases of matter are
explained by kinetic theory and forces of
attraction between particles. Key concepts
include
a) pressure, temperature, and volume;
b) partial pressure and gas laws
c) vapor pressure;
d) phase changes;
e) molar heats of fusion and
vaporization;
f) specific heat capacity; and
g) colligative properties.

Essential Understandings
The critical scientific concepts developed
The concepts developed in this standard
in this standard include the following:
include the following:
Matter is anything that has mass and
Atoms and molecules are in constant
occupies space. All matter is made up
motion
of small particles called atoms. Matter
The phase of a substance depends on
can exist as a solid, a liquid, a gas, or
temperature and pressure
plasma.
Temperature is a measurement of the
Matter can be classified as elements,
average kinetic energy in a sample.
compounds, and mixtures. The atoms
There is a direct relationship between
of any element are alike but are
temperature and average kinetic
different from atoms of other elements.
energy.
Compounds consist of two or more
The kinetic molecular theory is a
elements that are chemically combined
model for predicting and explaining
in a fixed ratio. Mixtures also consist of
gas behavior.
two or more substances, but the
Gases have mass and occupy space.
substances are not chemically
Gas particles are in constant, rapid,
combined.
random motion and exert pressure as
Compounds can be classified in several
they collide with the walls of their
ways, including:
containers. Gas molecules with the
o Acids, bases, salts
lightest mass travel fastest. Relatively
o Inorganic and organic compounds
large distances separate gas particles
Acids make up an important group of
from each other.
compounds that contain hydrogen ions. Equal volumes of gases at the same
When acids dissolve in water, hydrogen
temperature and pressure contain an
ions (H+) are released into the resulting
equal number of particles. Pressure
solution. A base is a substance that
units include atm, kPa, and mmHg.

Julia DiOrio
EDIS5050: Fall 2015

releases hydroxide ions into solution.
pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion
concentration in a solution. The pH
scale ranges from 0-14. Solutions with
a pH lower than 7 are acidic; solutions
with a pH greater than 7 are basic. A
pH of 7 is neutral. When an acid reacts
with a base, a salt is formed, along with
water.
Matter can be described by its physical
properties, which include shape,
density, solubility, odor, melting point,
boiling point, and color. Some physical
properties, such as density, boiling
point, and solubility, are characteristic
of a specific substance and do not
depend on the size of the sample.
Characteristic properties can be used to
identify unknown substances.
Equal volumes of difference substances
usually have different masses.
Matter can also be described by its
chemical properties, which include
acidity, basicity, combustibility, and
reactivity. A chemical property
indicates whether a substance can
undergo a chemical change.

An ideal gas does not exist, but this

concept is used to model gas behavior.
A real gas exists, has intermolecular
forces and particle volume, and can
change states. The Ideal Gas Law
states that PV=nRT.
The pressure and volume of a sample
of a gas at constant temperature are
inversely proportional to each other
(Boyles Law: P1V1=P2V2).
At constant pressure, the volume of a
fixed amount of gas is directly
proportional to its absolute
temperature (Charles Law:
V1/T1=V2/T2).
The Combined Gas Law
(P1V1/T1=P2V2/T2) relates pressure,
volume, and temperature of a gas.
The sum of the partial pressures of all
the components in a gas mixture is
equal to the total pressure of a gas
mixture (Daltons law of partial
pressures).
Forces of attraction (intermolecular
forces) between molecules determine
their state of matter at a given
temperature. Forces of attraction
include hydrogen bonding, dipoledipole attraction, and London
dispersion (van der Waals) forces.
Vapor pressure is the pressure of the
vapor found directly above a liquid in
a closed container. When the vapor
pressure equals the atmospheric
pressure, a liquid boils. Volatile liquids
have high vapor pressures, weak
intermolecular forces, and low boiling
points. Nonvolatile liquids have low
vapor pressures, strong intermolecular
forces, and high boiling points.
Solid, liquid, and gas phases of a
substance have different energy
content. Pressure, temperature, and
volume changes can cause a change in
physical state. Specific amounts of

Julia DiOrio
EDIS5050: Fall 2015

energy are absorbed or released during

phase changes.
A fourth phase of matter is plasma.
Plasma is formed when a gas is heated
to a temperature at which its electrons
dissociate from the nuclei.
A heating curve graphically describes
the relationship between temperature
and heat (energy). It can be used to
identify a substances phase of matter
at a given temperature as well as the
temperature(s) at which it changes
phase. It also shows the strength of the
intermolecular forces present in a
substance.
Molar heat of fusion is a property that
describes the amount of energy needed
to convert one mole of a substance
between its solid and liquid states.
Molar heat of vaporization is a
property that describes the amount of
energy needed to convert one mole of
a substance between its liquid and gas
states. Specific heat capacity is a
property of a substance that tells the
amount of energy needed to raise one
gram of a substance by on degree
Celsius. The values of these properties
are related to the strength of their
intermolecular forces.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Processes

In order to meet this standard, it is expected In order to meet this standard, it is expected
that students will
that students will
Describe the particle theory of
Explain the behavior of gases and
matter
the relationship between pressure
and volume (Boyles Law), and
Describe how to determine whether
volume and temperature (Charles
a substance is an element,
Law).
compound, or mixture.
Solve problems and interpret graphs
Define compounds as inorganic or
involving the gas laws
organic. (All organic compounds
contain carbon).
Identify how hydrogen bonding in
water plays an important role in
Describe what a salt is and explain
many physical, chemical, and
how salts form.
biological phenomena.
Describe the properties of solids,

Interpret vapor pressure graphs.

liquids, gases, and plasma.

Julia DiOrio
EDIS5050: Fall 2015

Distinguish between physical

properties (i.e., shape, density,
solubility, odor, melting point,
boiling point, and color) and
chemical properties (i.e., acidity,
basicity, combustibility, and
reactivity).
Find the mass and volume of
substances and calculate and
compare their densities
Analyze the pH of a solution and
classify as acidic, basic, or neutral.
Determine the identity of an
unknown substance by comparing
its properties to those of known
substances
Design an investigation from a
testable question related to physical
and chemical properties of matter.
The investigation may be a
complete experimental design or
may focus on systematic
observation, description,
measurement, and/or data collection
and analysis.

Graph and interpret a heating curve

(temperature vs. time).
Interpret a phase diagram of water.
Calculate energy changes, using
molar heat of fusion and molar heat
of vaporization.
Calculate energy changes, using
specific heat capacity.
Examine the polarity of various
solutes and solvents in solution
formation.

The middle school concepts and skills focus mainly on definitions of terms and
distinctions between similar concepts. Generally, the middle school skills operate at a
lower cognitive level with verbs such as describe and distinguish. The high school
concepts and skills focus on using math to describe the relationship between the physical
properties and states of matter. There is a gap in learning progression between
understanding that energy determines the behavior of matter and understanding how this
is done and describing the phenomena with math. This could be addressed in the high
school chemistry class by using demonstrations or in-class labs to show first how a
change in energy results in a change in matter (ex: heating a liquid in a closed container
creates a gas that can push up a piston) and then measuring the physical properties to
show how the calculations directly describe this behavior (i.e. observing the temperature,
pressure, and volume as it changes). This type of activity can bridge the gap between the
general understanding of a concept and the technical description through mathematical
laws.
The middle school physical science SOL uses 15 questions to cover concepts of
force, motion, matter, and energy; the high school chemistry SOL uses 8 questions to
cover phases of matter and kinetic molecular theory. Taking into account the additional
topics included in the physical science SOL category, the two topics are given
approximately the same importance in both grade levels (~16%).