Physical Science

Welcome to the Physical Science homepage. Following is a tentative outline of the course.

Each chapter will include lecture/discussion notes, assignments from the textbook (Prentice Hall - Exploring Physical Science), lab work and reports, practice problems, quizzes, and an exam. Given our nine-week quarter, each chapter will take an average of one week of class time, though some may be covered quickly so that more time can be spent on difficult concepts as needed.

The Physical Science portion will also be a nine-week survey type course. During this time we will cover several topics found throughout Chapters 12-26 of the textbook. The content will be divided into six units to facilitate the accelerated pace required.

Syllabus

Chapter 1: Science - Method, Measurements, and Metrics

Lab - Measurement of Liquid Volume

Quizzes - Lab Safety; Metric Conversions

Chapter 2: General Properties of Matter

Lab - Density of Regular & Diet Cola

***EXAM: CHAPTERS 1 & 2

Chapter 3: Physical & Chemical Changes

Labs - Air Pressure; Phase Changes in H2O; Chemical & Physical Changes

Quizzes - Gas Laws

***EXAM: CHAPTER 3

Chapter 4: Mixtures, Elements, and Compounds

Lab - Supersaturation

Quiz - Solubility Graphs

Chapter 8: Chemical Reactions

Lab - Types of Reactions

Quiz - Balancing Reactions

***EXAM: CHAPTERS 4 & 8

Chapter 5: Atoms

Labs - Flame Tests, Modeling Chemical Reactions

Quizzes - Atomic Theories, Atomic Structure

PAPER - Biography of a Scientist

***EXAM: CHAPTER 5

Chapter 6: The Periodic Table

Labs - Periodic Trends (computer lab); Graphing the Periodic Table

***EXAM: CHAPTER 6

Chapter 7: Atoms & Bonding - Chemical Names & Formulas

Lab - Formula Cards

Quizzes - Chemical Names & Formulas (2 quizzes)

Chapter 9: Families of Chemical Compounds

Labs - Hydrocarbon Models; Acids & Bases

***FINAL EXAM

Note: The final is comprehensive (includes material from all nine chapters) and accounts for 20% of a student's quarter grade.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Chapter 12: Motion

Lab - Graphing Motion; Momentum

Quizzes - Review of Metrics, Sig Figs, & Scientific Notation; Speed, Velocity, & Acceleration

***EXAM: CHAPTER 12

Chapters 13 & 14: Forces

Labs - Acceleration of Gravity; Bouyancy; Pressure in Fluids

Quizzes - Newton's Laws and Forces; Pressure

***EXAM: CHAPTERS 13 & 14

Chapters 15 & 16: Work, Energy, Power, and Machines

Labs - Work, Power, & Energy; Simple Machines, Kinetic & Potential Energy

Quiz - Work, Power, & Machines

Chapters 17 & 24: Heat and Sound

Labs -

Quizzes -

***EXAM: CHAPTERS 17 & 24

Chapters 19, 20, 21, 23, 25, 26: Waves, Electricity, Magnetism, & Light

Labs -

Quizzes -

***EXAM: CHAPTERS 19-26

***FINAL EXAM

Note: The final is comprehensive (includes material from all chapters) and accounts for 20% of a student's quarter grade.

***EXAM: CHAPTERS 15 & 16