Physical Science Unit Resources
Energy
Energy and Matter Potential Energy
Heat Energy Transfer Kinetic Energy
Forces and Interactions
Newton’s First and Second Law of Motion Gravity
Newton’s Third Law of Motion Electric and Magnetic Forces
Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation
Waves
Digital and Analog Signals
Structure and Properties of Matter
Atoms, Elements & the Periodic Table Motion of Molecules
Synthetic Materials Changes in Molecule Motion
Chemical Reactions
Evidence of a Chemical Change Thermal Energy Project
Conservation of Mass
Thermal Energy Project Mini Unit Resources
Students collect data about three chemical reactions (baking soda and vinegar; calcium chloride, baking soda and water; ammonium chloride and water) and determine if each reaction is endothermic or exothermic. Then, students determine which reaction would be the best to create a hot pack. Finally, students design, build, test and modify an original pie-warming device!
Changes in Molecule Motion Mini Unit Resources
Students make quantitative and qualitative observations of food dye in hot and cold water then draw conclusions about particle motion and temperature. They plan and carry out an investigation to answer the question, “How does a pure substance change when thermal energy is added?” Then, students create a graph, analyze their data and draw diagrams of particles in motion. They summarize their learning with an original cartoon of a pure substance facing increased heat energy!
Motion of Molecules
Students plan and conduct an investigation about the motion of vanilla molecules, create a graph, analyze data and observe a Skittle in water! Finally, students use evidence collected in the lab to support the claim “Molecules are in motion”.
Newton’s First and Second Laws Mini Unit Resources
Students reflect on the physics of their favorite childhood activity and play with toys (balls, marbles, toy cars, ramps and anything else you have!) to construct their own understanding of force and motion. Then, students use the PhET simulations Balancing Act and Force and Motion to increase their knowledge of Newton's first and second laws. Students practice calculating the net force on an object. Then, they plan and carry out their own investigation to answer the question “How do mass and force affect an object’s motion?” Finally, students share what they learned in a written claim, evidence and reasoning.
Kinetic Energy Mini Unit Resources
Students use marbles, ramps and blocks to learn how mass and speed affect an object’s kinetic energy. Then, students use the Energy Skate Park PhET simulation to construct and analyze graphs of mass, speed and kinetic energy. Finally, students use a double ball bounce (drop a tennis ball on top of a basketball) to construct an argument. Extension activities include creating a roller coaster for a marble and calculating energy on the ride!
Potential Energy Mini Unit Resources
Students begin by identifying all of the types of energy they used today and classifying this energy as potential or kinetic. Then, students break down the energy changes that occur in a bouncing ball and collect data about how drop height affects bounce height. Students create an excellent graph of their data with TAILS (Title, Axes, Intervals, Labels, Scale) and use their graph to answer the question How does gravitational potential energy affect the total energy in the bouncing ball system? Finally, students use pendulums to figure out how the total amount of potential energy in a system changes!