Physical Science Grade: 9 September 1

Earth and Science

Life Scientific
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Sciences Inquiry
Sciences Technology

9-26. Use historical examples to explain how new ideas 9-2. Illustrate that the methods
are limited by the context in which they are conceived; and procedures used to obtain
are often initially rejected by the scientific establishment; evidence must be clearly reported
sometimes spring from unexpected findings; and usually to enhance opportunities for
grow slowly through contributions from many different further investigations.
investigators (e.g., atomic theory, quantum theory and
Newtonian mechanics).

9-27. Describe advances and issues in physical science 9-3. Demonstrate that reliable
that have important, long-lasting effects on science and scientific evidence improves the
society (e.g., atomic theory, quantum theory, Newtonian ability of scientists to offer
mechanics, nuclear energy, nanotechnology, plastics, accurate predictions.
ceramics and communication technology).

9-4. Explain how support of

ethical practices in science (e.g.,
individual observations and
confirmations, accurate reporting,
peer review and publication) are
required to reduce bias.

9-5. Justify that scientific theories

are explanations of large bodies
of information and/or
observations that withstand
repeated testing.

9-6. Explain that inquiry fuels

observation and experimentation
that produce data that are the
foundation of scientific disciplines.
Theories are explanations of
these data.
Physical Science Grade: 9 September 2

9-7. Recognize that scientific

knowlodge and explanations have
changed over time, almost always
building on earlier knowledge.
Physical Science Grade: 9 October 3

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9-1. Recognize that all atoms of
the same element contain the
same number of protons, and
elements with the same number
of protons may or may not have
the same mass. Those with
different masses (different
numbers of neutrons) are called
isotopes.

9-2. Illustrate that atoms with

the same number of positively
charged protons and negatively
charged electrons are electrically
neutral.

9-9. Investigate the properties

of pure substances and mixtures
(e.g., density, conductivity,
hardness, properties of alloys,
superconductors and
semiconductors.
Physical Science Grade: 9 November 4

Earth and
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9-4. Show that when elements are listed in order
according to the number of protons (called the
atomic number), the repeating patterns of physical
and chemical properties identify families of
elements. Recognize that the periodic table was
formed as a result of the repeating pattern of
electron configurations.

9-5. Describe how ions are formed when an atom

or a group of atoms acquire an unbalanced charge
by gaining or losing one or more electrons.

9-6. Explain that the electric force between the

nucleus and that electrons hold an atom together.
Relate that on a larger scale, electric forces hold
solid and liquid materials together (e.g., salt
crystals and water).

9-7. Show how atoms may be bonded together by

losing, gaining or sharing electrons and that in a
chemical reaction, the number, type of atoms and
total mass must be the same before and after the
reaction (e.g., writing correct chemical formulas
and writing balanced chemical equations).

9-10. Compare the conductivity of different

materials and explain the role of electrons in the
ability to conduct electricity.
 Physical Science Grade: 9 December 5

Earth and Science and Scientific Ways of

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9-8. Demonstrate that the pH
scale (0-14) is used to measure
acidity and classify sustances or
solutions as acidic, basic, or
neutral.

9-16. Illustrate that chemical

reactions are either endothermic
or exothermic (e.g., cold packs,
hot packs and the burning of
fossil fuels).
 Physical Science Grade: 9 January 6

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9-3. Describe radioactive substances as 9-1. Comprehend that many scientific
unstable nuclei that undergo random investigations require the
spontaneous nuclear decay emitting particles contributions of women and men from
and/or high energy wavelike radiation. different disciplines in and out of
science. These people study different
9-14. Summarize how nuclear reactions topics, use different techniques and
convert a small amount of matter into a large have different standards of evidence
amount of energy. (Fission involves the but share a common purpose - to
splitting of a large nucleus into smaller nuclei; better understand a portion of our
fusion is the joining of two small nuclei into a universe.
larger nucleus at extremely high energies.)

9-8. Illustrate that much can be

learned about the internal workings of
science and the nature of science
from the study of scientists, their
daily work and their efforts to
advance scientific knowledge in their
area of study.

9-9. Investigate how the knowledge,

skills and interests learned in science
classes apply to the careers students
plan to pursue.
Physical Science Grade: 9 February 7

Earth and
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Sciences
9-21. Demonstrate that motion is a measurable
quantity that depends on the observer's frame of
reference and describe the object's motion in
terms of position, velocity, acceleration and time.

9-22. Demonstrate that any object does not

accelerate (remains at rest or maintains a
constant speed and direction of motion) unless an
unbalanced (net) force acts on it.

9-23. Explain the change in motion (acceleration)

of an object. Demonstrate that the acceleration is
proportional to the net force acting on the object
and inversely proportional to the mass of the
object. (F net=ma. Note that weight is the
gravitational force on a mass.)

9-24. Demonstrate that whenever one object

exerts a force on another, an equal amount of
force is exerted back on the first object.

9-25. Demonstrate the ways in which frictional

forces constrain the motion of objects (e.g., a car
traveling around a curve, a block on an inclined
plane, a person running, an airplane in flight).
 Physical Science Grade: 9 March 8

Earth and Science and Scientific Scientific Ways of

Life Sciences Physical Sciences
Space Sciences Technology Inquiry Knowing
9-11. Explain how thermal energy exists in the
random motion and vibrations of atoms and
molecules. Recognize that the higher the
temperature, the greater the average atomic or
molecular motion, and during changes of state the
temperature remains constant.

9-12. Explain how an object's kinetic energy

depends on its mass & its speed (KE=1/mv 2).

9-13. Demonstrate that near Earth's surface an

object's gravitational potential energy depends
upon its weight (mg where m is the object's mass
and g is the acceleration due to gravity) and height
(h) above a reference surface (PE=mgh).

9-15. Trace the transformations of energy within a

system (e.g., chemical to electrical to mechanical)
and recognize that energy is conserved. Show that
these transformations involve the release of some
thermal energy.

9-17. Demonstrate that thermal energy can be

transferred by conduction, convection or radiation
(e.g., through materials by the collision of particles,
moving air masses or across empty space by forms
of electromagnetic radiation).
 Physical Science Grade: 9 April 9

Earth and Life Science and Scientific Scientific Ways

Physical Sciences
Space Sciences Sciences Technology Inquiry of Knowing
9-18. Demonstrate that electromagnetic radiation is a
form of energy. Recognize that light acts as a wave.
Show that visible light is a part of the
electromagnetic spectrum (e.g., radio waves,
microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays,
and gamma rays).
9-19. Show how the properties of a wave depend on
the properties of the medium through which it
travels. Recognize that electromagnetic waves can be
propagated without a medium.

9-20. Describe how waves can superimpose on one

another when propagated in the same medium.
Analyze conditions in which waves can bend around
corners, reflect off surfaces, are absorbed by
materials they enter, and change direction and speed
when entering a different material.
 Physical Science Grade: 9 May 10

Science and Scientific Scientific Ways

Earth and Space Sciences Life Sciences Physical Sciences
Technology Inquiry of Knowing
9-1. Describe that stars produce energy from
nuclear reactions and that processes in stars
have led to the formation of all elements
beyond hydrogen and helium.

9-2. Describe the current scientific evidence

that supports the theory of the explosive
expansion of the universe, the Big Bang, over
10 billion years ago.

9-3. Explain that gravitational forces govern

the characteristics and movement patterns of
the planets, comets and asteroids in the solar
system.

9-4. Explain the relationships of the oceans to

the lithosphere and atmosphere (e.g., transfer
of energy, ocean currents and landforms).

9-5. Explain how the slow movement of

material within Earth results from:
a. thermal energy transfer (conduction and
convection) from the deep interior;
b. the action of gravitational forces on regions
of different density.

9-6. Explain the results of plate tectonic

activity (e.g., magma generation, igneous
intrusion, metamorphism, volcanic action,
earthquakes, faulting and folding).

9-7. Explain sea-floor spreading and

continental drift using scientific evidence (e.g.,
fossil distributions, magnetic reversals and
radiometric dating).