DYERSBURG HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Subject:               PHYSICAL SCIENCE                                                                                                                         _____   Semester            

Grade:                __________________________                                                                                                      _____   Year

 

 

 

 

 

TOPIC

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

 

AUGUST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.       Scientific Method/Problem Solving

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.       Lab Safety/Equipment/Experimentation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.   Metric System  and Measurement

 

 

1.       What kinds of problems in society have been solved using the scientific method?

2.       What are some problems that are now facing society?

3.       How can a logical approach to problem solving such as the scientific method be sued to solve problems that you may face in the future?

 

1.       What role do tools/equipment play in problem solving?

2.       How can it be determined if an experiment is valid?

3.       How can it be determined if an experiment is valid?

4.       What role do tools and equipment play in problem solving?

 

1.  Why is it essential to have a common language of communication?

2.   How is measurement used in everyday life?

 

SEPTEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.       Solving for unknowns in equations.

 

 

 

 

 

2.       Constructing and interpreting graphs.

 

 

 

 

 

3.       Rate/speed/velocity.

 

 

 

 

 

4.       Graphing changes in motion.

 

 

5.       Forces:  Measurement of forces.

1.         What is meant by an unknown?

2.         How are mathematical equations important in different professions?

3.         What are some practical applications of mathematical equations?

 

1.         How have graphs been used to clarify or communicate data or show trends in society?

2.         How can graphic devices be used to clarify data?

 

1.         How has the perception of speed changed throughout history?

2.         How do rates affect your life?

3.         Why are speed and velocity classified as rates?

 

1.         How does a change in slope affect the variables on a graph?

 

1.       How are things affected by the forces acting on them?

2.       How does a change in force affect a situation?

 

                 

 

 
OCTOBER

1.       Newton’s First Law

 

2.  Newton’s Second Law

1.       How/why do objects/society resist change?

 

2.  How does the magnitude of a circumstance

     affect the action that is taken?

 

NOVEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.       Newton’s Third Law.

 

 

2.       Types of machines, mechanical advantage.

 

 

 

 

3.       Power and efficiency.

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Wave, kinetic/potential.

1.       How do everyday occurrences demonstrate cause and effect relationships?

 

1.       Historically, how have machines improved the quality of human life?

2.       Why would you prefer to have an advantage in any situation?

 

1.       How have machines made people more powerful?

2.       Why is it good to be as efficient as possible?

 

 

 

1.       How has wave technology impacted the medical and musical fields?

2.       Why is energy necessary for all movement?

3.       How has the concept of heat transfer made life more comfortable?

 

DECEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.       Thermal energy/heat/specific heat.

 

 

2.       Sound/light, energy transfer, Law of Conservation and Energy.

 

 

 

3.       Currents, Electromagnets

1.       How does thermal energy release affect the environment?

 

1.       How did the development of the laser improve quality of life?

2.       How is energy transfer and conservation similar to recycling?

 

1.         How have lives changed since the beginning of the use of electricity?

2.         How are electromagnets used in everyday life?

 

JANUARY

 

 

 

 

 

1.   Matter and energy.

 

 

 

 

2.  Atomic structure.

1.       What’s the “matter” with you?

2.       How does temperature affect matter?

3.       How is classifying according to content use din everyday life?

 

1.  What is the basic structure of all matter?

 

FEBRUARY

 

 

 

 

 

1.       Atomic structure.

 

 

2.       Electron Configuration/Bonding.

 

1.       How does the structure of a substance determine its characteristics and behavior?

 

1.       How is stability of an atom related to its electron structure?

2.       Why is it better to share?

3.       How does the term polar apply to atoms?

 

MARCH

 

 

 

1.       Electron configuration/bonding.

 

 

2.   Periodic table.

1.       How does the phrase “opposites attract” relate to compounds such as table salt?

 

1.  What is the classification of elements necessary for communication?

 

APRIL

 

 

 

 

 

1.       Periodic table

 

2.  Chemical formula.

 

 

1.       What information do chemical formulas provide?

2.       How are oxidation numbers used to write formulas for compounds?

 

MAY

 

 

 

1.       Chemical reactions/equations.

 

 

 

 

 

2.       Acids and bases.

 

 

 

3.   Solutions

1.       Why does a chemical reaction have to satisfy the law of conservation of mass?

2.       How does energy affect chemical reactions?

3.       How do the types of chemical reactions differ?

 

1.       How does an acid differ from a base?

2.       How do acids and bases affect one another in a chemical reaction?

 

1.  What affects the rate at which ____?