Westminster High School s1
Physical Science Syllabus
Westminster High School
Physical Science
Syllabus
Part 1: Course Information
Instructor Information
Instructor: Aida Gerges
Office: B201
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:30-3:00 pm
Office Telephone: (303)-487-2501
E-mail:
Course Description
Level 11 is the Physical Science requirement. It is a laboratory-based science course in which students will consider the various aspects of physics and chemistry that assist us in understanding and predicting the physical world around us. Topics to be emphasized in this course include the structure and composition of atoms and molecules, the physical and chemical properties of matter, and laws governing chemical reactions. In addition, students will investigate Newton’s Laws of Motion as well as the limitations of these Laws in describing motion in certain situations. Students in this course will also learn the various forms of energy that exist in the physical world, the conservation of energy, and the characteristics of energy transformation. Students in this course will have the opportunity to use various aspects of scientific investigation and experimentation, as well as the scientific method, to gain an understanding of Physical Science.
Prerequisite
Completion of Level 10 or equivalent
Part 2: Course Objectives
Primary learning targets for this course:
1st Semester
Measurement Topic:SC.11.H11 Newton's laws of motion and gravitation describe the relationships among forces acting on and between objects, their masses, and changes in their motion - but have limitations
SC.11.H11.01.03Gather, analyze and interpret data and create graphs regarding position, velocity and acceleration of moving objects (CAS: HS.1.1.a)
SC.11.H11.02.03Develop, communicate and justify an evidence-based analysis of the forces acting on an object and the resultant acceleration produced by a net force (CAS: HS.1.1.b)
SC.11.H11.03.03Develop, communicate and justify an evidence-based scientific prediction regarding the effects of the action-reaction force pairs on the motion of two interacting objects (CAS: HS.1.1.c)
SC.11.H11.04.03Examine the effect of changing masses and distance when applying Newton's law of universal gravitation to a system of two bodies (CAS: HS.1.1.d)
SC.11.H11.05.03Identify the limitations of Newton's laws in extreme situations (CAS: HS.1.1.e)
Measurement Topic:SC.11.H15 Energy exists in many forms such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, radiant, thermal, and nuclear, that can be quantified and experimentally determined
SC.11.H15.01.03Develop, communicate, and justify an evidence-based scientific explanation regarding the potential and kinetic nature of mechanical energy (CAS: HS.1.5.a)
SC.11.H15.02.03Use appropriate measurements, equations and graphs to gather, analyze, and interpret data on the quantity of energy in a system or an object (CAS: HS.1.5.b)
SC.11.H15.03.03Use direct and indirect evidence to develop predictions of the types of energy associated with objects (CAS: HS.1.5.c)
SC.11.H15.04.03Identify different energy forms, and calculate their amounts by measuring their defining characteristics (CAS: HS.1.5.d)
Measurement Topic:SC.11.H16 When energy changes form, it is neither created not destroyed; however, because some is necessarily lost as heat, the amount of energy available to do work decreases
SC.11.H16.01.03Use direct and indirect evidence to develop and support claims about the conservation of energy in a variety of systems, including transformations to heat (CAS: HS.1.6.a)
SC.11.H16.02.03Evaluate the energy conversion efficiency of a variety of energy transformations (CAS: HS.1.6.b)
SC.11.H16.03.03Describe energy transformations both quantitatively and qualitatively (CAS: HS.1.6.c)
SC.11.H16.04.03Differentiate among the characteristics of mechanical and electromagnetic waves that determine their energy (CAS: HS.1.6.d)
SC.11.H16.05.03Examine, evaluate, question, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media to investigate energy conservation and loss (CAS: HS.1.6.e)
2nd Semester
Measurement Topic:SC.11.H12 Matter has definite structure that determines characteristic physical and chemical properties
SC.11.H12.01.03Develop, communicate, and justify an evidence-based scientific explanation supporting the current model of an atom (CAS: HS.1.2.a)
SC.11.H12.02.03Gather, analyze and interpret data on chemical and physical properties of elements such as density, melting point, boiling point, and conductivity (CAS: HS.1.2.b)
SC.11.H12.03.03Use characteristic physical and chemical properties to develop predictions and supporting claims about elements' positions on the periodic table (CAS: HS.1.2.c)
SC.11.H12.04.03Develop a model that differentiates atoms and molecules, elements and compounds, and pure substances and mixtures (CAS: HS.1.2.d)
Measurement Topic:SC.11.H13 Matter can change form through chemical or nuclear reactions abiding by the laws of conservation of mass and energy
SC.11.H13.01.03Recognize, analyze, interpret, and balance chemical equations (synthesis, decomposition, combustion, and replacement) or nuclear equations (fusion and fission) C(AS: HS.1.3.a)
SC.11.H13.02.03Predict reactants and products for different types of chemical and nuclear reactions CAS: HS.1.3.b)
SC.11.H13.03.03Predict and calculate the amount of products produced in a chemical reaction based on the amount of reactants (CAS: HS.1.3.c)
SC.11.H13.04.03Examine, evaluate, question, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media to investigate the conservation of mass and energy (CAS: HS.1.3.d)
Measurement Topic:SC.11.H14 Atoms bond in different ways to form molecules and compounds that have definite properties
SC.11.H14.01.03Develop, communicate, and justify an evidence-based scientific explanation supporting the current models of chemical bonding CAS: HS.1.4.a)
SC.11.H14.02.03Gather, analyze, and interpret data on chemical and physical properties of different compounds such as density, melting point, boiling point, pH, and conductivity (CAS: HS.1.4.b)
SC.11.H14.03.03Use characteristic physical and chemical properties to develop predictions and supporting claims about compounds' classification as ionic, polar or covalent (CAS: HS.1.4.c)
SC.11.H14.04.03Describe the role electrons play in atomic bonding (CAS: HS.1.4.d)
SC.11.H14.05.03Predict the type of bonding that will occur among elements based on their position in the periodic table (CAS: HS.1.4.e)
Science-Westminster High School
Physical Science
1st Semester Syllabus
Part 3: Topic Outline/Schedule
Unit 01: Scientific Method and Measurement
o Lab safety
o Scientific Method
o Tools and Units of Measurement
o Accuracy and Precision
o Scientific notation
Unit 02: Velocity and Acceleration
o Distance vs. Displacement
o Speed vs. Velocity
o Acceleration
Unit 03: Forces
o Newton’s three Laws of Motion
o Universal gravitation
o Limitations
Unit 04: Energy
o Forms
o Conversions
o Conservation
CBS Grading Scale:
4.0 Advanced
3.0 Proficient
2.0 Partially Proficient
1.0 Not Proficient
Classroom Rules
Respect Respect Respect
1. Treat others as you would want to be treated.
2. Use appropriate language.
3. Come to class prepared (calculator, ruler, pen/pencil, good attitude-Science is fun!)
4. The use of electronic devices is permitted if used for class purposes only. 1=WARNING, 2=CONFISCATION
5. Do not disrupt class.
6. Be on time.
Classroom Supply List
pencils and eraser, pens, colored pencils, calculator, ruler, folder or binder and highlighters.
Advice for success: You, your parents and I want you to be successful! In order to do well in science this year, you need to do a few simple things: come to class every day and on time, bring all your supplies, pay attention to directions and follow them, do your work in class, keep organized (very important!!), do any assigned homework, and you must study for quizzes and tests.
Good luck this year! I expect very good behavior and work from you. Always remember that I want you to be successful, and that I’m here to help you, so ask when you need help.
Westminster High School, Westminster CO Page 2