Note: This site is currently being modified to include the changes from the revised 2003 SOLs.

PS.1 PS.2 PS.3 PS.4 PS.5 PS.6 PS.7 PS.8 PS.9 PS.10 PS.11

PS.1 The student will plan and conduct investigations in which

1. chemicals and equipment are used safely;
2. length, mass, volume, density, temperature, weight, and force are accurately measured and reported using the International System of Units (SI - metric);
3. conversions are made among metric units applying appropriate prefixes;
4. triple beam and electronic balances, thermometers, metric rulers, graduated cylinders, and spring scales are used to gather data;
5. numbers are expressed in scientific notation where appropriate;
6. research skills are utilized using a variety of resources;
7. independent and dependent variables, constants, controls, and repeated trials are identified;
8. data tables showing the independent and dependent variables, derived quantities, and the number of trials are constructed and interpreted;
9. data tables for descriptive statistics showing specific measures of central tendency, the range of the data set, and the number of repeated trials are constructed and interpreted;
10. frequency distributions, scattergrams, line plots, and histograms are constructed and interpreted;
11. valid conclusions are made after analyzing data;
12. research methods are used to investigate practical problems and questions;
13. experimental results are presented in appropriate written form; and
14. an understanding of the nature of science is developed and reinforced.

    
    Related Activities...

    Experimental Design
    Graphing
    Metric Measurement

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PS.2 The student will investigate and understand the basic nature of matter. Key concepts include

1.  the particle theory of matter;
2. elements, compounds, mixtures, acids, bases, and salts;
3. solids, liquids, and gases;
4. characteristics of types of matter based on physical and chemical properties;
5. physical properties (shape, density, solubility, odor, melting point, boiling point, color); and
6. chemical properties (acidity, basicity, combustibility, reactivity).
   
   

Related Activities...
Investigating Density

Density of Liquids

Properties of Mixtures and Solutions

Particle Theory of Matter with Popcorn

Acid-Base Tea Party

Acid-Base Reactions in Photography
Flower Indicators

Gases Are Real
Growing Balloons
Properties of Gases
Chemical Switch
Trapped Inside
The Effect of Temperature on a Bouncing Ball
Tasty Phase Change - The Ice Cream Lab
Soda Science
Air Density
Chromatography
Layering Density

Where Does My pH Rank?

 

 

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PS.3 The student will investigate and understand the modern and historical models of atomic structure. Key concepts include

1. the contributions of Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, and Bohr in understanding the atom; and
2. the modern model of atomic structure.

   Related Activities...
   Atomic Model Construction
   Demonstrating Quanta
   Making Atoms Come to Life
   Not So Bohring Atoms
   Indirect Measurement
   Indirect Measurement II
   Cloud Model of the Atom I
   Cloud Model of the Atom II

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PS.4 The student will investigate and understand the organization and use of the periodic table of elements to obtain information. Key concepts include

1. symbols, atomic number, atomic mass, chemical families (groups), and periods;
2. classification of elements as metals, metalloids, and nonmetals; and
3. simple compounds (formulas and nature of bonding).
   

    Related Activities...
   Atomic Mass
   Metals, Non-Metals, Metalloids I
   Names and Symbols of Elements
   Candy Half-Life
   Atomic Number and Mass
   Atomic Model Construction
   Making Atoms Come to Life
   Not So Bohring Atoms
   Bonding
   Mapping Out the Periodic Table
   Cloud Model of the Atom I
   Cloud Model of the Atom II
   Chemical Switch
   The Universal Periodic Table
   
   

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PS.5 The student will investigate and understand changes in matter and the relationship of these changes to the Law of Conservation of Matter and Energy. Key concepts include

1. physical changes;
2. nuclear reactions (products of fusion and fission and their effects on human beings and the environment); and
3. chemical changes (types of reactions, reactants and products, and balanced equations).
   
   Related Activities...
   Observing a Chemical Change with Mixed Solutions
   Finding Radiation
   More on Chemical Changes
   Growing Balloons
   Temperature Effects on Solubility
   More on Temperature and Solubility
   Physical and Chemical Changes
   Mass of Dissolved Salt
   Properties of Mixtures and Solutions
   Conservation of Matter and Balancing Chemical Equations
   Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion
   Nuclear Reactions
   Personal Exposure to Radiation
   Protection from Radiation
   Crystallizing Borax
   Chemiluminescence
   Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide
   Electrolysis
   Tasty Phase Change - The Ice Cream Lab
   Chemical Switch
   Chromatography
   
   

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PS.6 The student will investigate and understand states and forms of energy and how energy is transferred and transformed. Key concepts include

1. potential and kinetic energy;
2. mechanical, chemical, and electrical energy; and
3. heat, light, and sound.
   
   Related Activities...
   Growing Balloons
   The Energy of A Bouncing Ball
   Observing the Transfer of Energy
   Energy of a Pendulum
   Energy of Sound
   Energy of a Cart on a Ramp (Version A)
   Energy of a Cart on a Ramp (Version B)
   Transfer of Heat by Radiation
   Energy Content of Fuels
   The Effect of Temperature on a Bouncing Ball

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PS.7 The student will investigate and understand temperature scales, heat, and heat transfer. Key concepts include

1. Celsius and Kelvin temperature scales and absolute zero;
2. phase change, freezing point, melting point, boiling point, vaporization, and condensation;
3. conduction, convection, radiation, and
4. applications of heat transfer (heat engines, thermostats, refrigeration, and heat pumps).
   
   Related Activities...
   Heat Transfer
   Condensation
   Determining Absolute Zero
   Heat Conduction
   Change of State
   Heat of Fusion
   Evaporation and Heat Engines
   Thermometers
   How Does a Thermostat Work?
   Transfer of Heat by Radiation
   Mixing Cold and Warm Water
   Energy Content of Fuels
   Tasty Phase Change - The Ice Cream Lab
   Convection Currents and Density

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PS.8 The student will investigate and understand characteristics of sound and technological applications of sound waves. Key concepts include

1. wavelength, frequency, speed, and amplitude;
2. resonance;
3. the nature of mechanical waves; and
4. technological applications of sound.

   
   Related Activities...

   Energy of Sound
   Terminology of Waves
   Wavelength and Frequency of Vibration
   Wavelength and Pitch
   Interference
   Fetal Ultrasound
   Mathematics of Music
   Sonar
   The Frequency of Sound
   Sound Stations

 

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PS.9 The student will investigate and understand the nature and technological applications of light. Key concepts include

1. the wave behavior of light (reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference);
2. images formed by lenses and mirrors; and
3. the electromagnetic spectrum.

   
    Related Activities...

   Refraction
   Reflection
   Convex Lenses
   Curved Mirrors
   Electromagnetic Spectrum
   Polarized Light
   Neon Bulbs and Motion of Charge
   Total Internal Reflection
   Waves and Particles
   Visible Spectrum
   Polarized Filters
   

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PS.10 The student will investigate and understand scientific principles and technological applications of work, force, and motion. Key concepts include

1. speed, velocity, and acceleration;
2. Newton's laws of motion;
3. work, force, mechanical advantage, efficiency, and power; and
4. applications (simple machines, compound machines, powered vehicles, rockets, and restraining devices).

   
   Related Activities...

   Galileo's Gravitational Experiment
   Levers
   Newton's First Law
   Newton's Second Law
   Newton's Second Law of Motion
   Newton's Third Law
   Pulleys
   Compound Machines
   Human Motion
   Styrofoam Helicopters
   The Effect of Temperature on a Bouncing Ball
   Flying High
   
   

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PS.11 The student will investigate and understand basic principles of electricity and magnetism. Key concepts include

1. static, current, circuits;
2. magnetic fields and electromagnets; and
3. motors and generators.
   

   
   Related Activities...

   Conductor or Insulator?
   Electromagnet
   Parallel and Series
   Balloon Electroscope
   Static Electricity
   Static Electricity Salt and Pepper
   Neon Bulbs and Motion of Charge
   Magnetic Field
   Introduction to Static Electricity
   Chemical Switch
   Investigating Magnetic Fields

 

 

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