SYLLABUS

SUBJECT: Physical Science

TEXTBOOK: Physical Science: Concepts in Action, Prentice Hall,

Wysession, Frank, and Yancopoulos, 2006, ISBN#0-13-
166308-9

Curriculum Profile
Physical Science
This course is designed to give students an introduction to the physical sciences;
chemistry, physics (work, forces, electricity, fluids, light, and magnetism), and Earth
Science (geology, weather, and basic astronomy). The students will do a variety of labs
to help with understanding of the key components of the course work. This course will
require the students to gain knowledge through the collection of data and manipulation of
that data in graph form using excel and then analyzing that data to draw conclusions.

IN ACCORDANCE TO ILLINOIS STATE LEARNING STANDARDS,

STUDENTS WILL:

 Formulate hypotheses referencing prior research and knowledge.

(11.A.4a )

 Formulate hypotheses referencing prior research and knowledge.

(11.A.5a )

 Conduct controlled experiments or simulations to test hypotheses.

(11.A.4b )

 Design procedures to test the selected hypotheses. (11.A.5b)

 Collect, organize and analyze data accurately and precisely.

(11.A.4c )

 Conduct systematic controlled experiments to test the selected hypotheses.

(11.A.5c )

 Use kinetic theory, wave theory, quantum theory and the laws of thermodynamics
to explain energy transformations.
(12.C.4a )
 Analyze reactions (e.g., nuclear reactions, burning of fuel, and decomposition of
waste) in natural and man-made energy systems.
(12.C.5a )

 Analyze and explain the atomic and nuclear structure of matter.

(12.C.4b )

 Analyze the properties of materials (e.g., mass, boiling point, melting point,
hardness) in relation to their physical and/or chemical structures.
(12.C.5b )

 Explain and predict motions in inertial and accelerated frames of reference.

(12.D.4a )

 Analyze factors that influence the relative motion of an object (e.g., friction, wind
shear, cross currents, potential differences).
(12.D.5a )

 Describe the effects of electromagnetic and nuclear forces including atomic and
molecular bonding, capacitance and nuclear reactions.
(12.D.4b )

 Analyze the effects of gravitational, electromagnetic and nuclear forces on a

physical system.
(12.D.5b )

 Explain how external and internal energy sources drive Earth processes (e.g.,
solar energy drives weather patterns; internal heat drives plate tectonics).
(12.E.4a )

 Analyze the processes involved in naturally occurring short-term and long-term

Earth events (e.g., floods, ice ages, temperature, sea-level fluctuations).
(12.E.5 )

 Describe how rock sequences and fossil remains are used to interpret the age and
changes in the Earth.
(12.E.4b )

 Explain theories, past and present, for changes observed in the universe.
(12.F.4a)

 Describe and compare the chemical and physical characteristics of galaxies and
objects within galaxies (e.g. pulsars, nebulae, black holes, dark matter, and stars).
(12.F.4b)
LOCAL ASSESSMENT: 1st semester- *Semester pretest
*Exploravision team project
*Semester post-test / exam

2nd semester *semester pretest

*semester post-test/ exam

USE OF *computer labs

TECHNOLOGY *Excel spreadsheet
*simple machines
*various lab equipment
*creating data tables
*word processing

SUGGESTED *quizzes
ASSIGNMENTS *labs
*teacher evaluation
*3-D models
*PowerPoint
*internet research
*tests
*collaborative learning
*literacy strategies

FIRST SEMESTER
TOPICS:
Chapter 1 Science Skills
Chapter 2 Properties of Matter
Chapter 3 States of Matter
Chapter 4 Atomic Structure
Chapter 5 The Periodic Table
Chapter 6 Chemical Bonds
Chapter 7 Chemical Reactions
Chapter 8 Solutions, Acids, and Bases
Chapter 9 Carbon Chemistry
Chapter 10 Nuclear Chemistry

Chapter 22 Earth’s Interior

Chapter 23 Earth’s Surface
Chapter 24 Weather and Climate
Chapter 25 The Solar System
Chapter 26 Exploring the Universe
SECOND SEMESTER
TOPICS:
Chapter 11 Motion
Chapter 12 Forces and Motion
Chapter 13 Forces in Fluids
Chapter 14 Work, Power, and Machines
Chapter15 Energy
Chapter 16 Thermal Energy and Heat
Chapter 17 Mechanical Waves and Sound
Chapter 18 The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Light
Chapter 19 Optics
Chapter 20 Electricity
Chapter 21 Magnetism