PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Goals The Physical Science curriculum is designed to continue

the investigation of the physical sciences begun in earlier
grades. The Physical Science course will build a rich
knowledge base to provide a foundation for the continued
study of science. The investigations should be approached
in a qualitative and quantitative manner in keeping with the
developing mathematical skills of the students. The
curriculum will integrate the following topics from both
chemistry and physics:
• Structure of atoms
• Structure and properties of matter
• Motions and forces
• Conservation of energy, matter and charge

The following explanation introduces teachers to the

program strands and unifying concepts. During instruction,
these strands and unifying concepts should be woven
through the content goals and objectives of the course.
Supplemental materials providing a more detailed
explanation of the goals, objectives, and strands, with
specific recommendations for classroom and/or laboratory
implementation are available through the Department of
Public Instruction’s Publications Section.

Unifying Concepts - Unifying Concepts the following unifying concepts should

unite the study of various physical science topics across
grade levels.
• Systems, Order and Organization.
• Evidence, Models, and Explanation.
• Constancy, Change, and Measurement.
• Evolution and Equilibrium.
• Form and Function.
Focus on the unifying concepts of science will also help
students to understand the constant nature of science across
disciplines and time even as scientific knowledge,
understanding and procedures change.

Nature of Science This strand includes the following sections: Science as a

Human Endeavor, Historical Perspectives, and the Nature
of Scientific Knowledge. These sections are designed to
help students understand the human dimensions of science,
the nature of scientific thought, and the role of science in

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 society. Physical science is rich in examples of science as a
human endeavor, historical perspectives on the
development of scientific understanding, and the nature and
role of science.

Science as a Intellectual honesty and an ethical tradition are

Human Endeavor hallmarks of the practice of science. The practice is rooted
in accurate data reporting, peer review, and making
findings public. This aspect of the nature of science can be
implemented by designing instruction that encourages
students to work collaboratively in groups to design
investigations, formulate hypotheses, collect data, reach
conclusions, and present their findings to their classmates.

The content studied in physical science is an opportunity to

present science as a basis for engineering, electronics,
computer science, astronomy and the technical trades. The
diversity of physical science content allows for looking at
science as a vocation. Scientist, artist, and technician are
just a few of the many careers in which a physical science
background is necessary.

Perhaps the most important aspect of this strand is that

science is an integral part of society and is therefore
relevant to students’ lives.

Historical Perspectives Most scientific knowledge and technological advances

develop incrementally from the labors of scientists and
inventors. Although science history includes accounts of
serendipitous scientific discoveries, most development of
scientific concepts and technological innovation occurs in
response to a specific problem or conflict. Both great
advances and gradual knowledge building in science and
technology have profound effects on society. Students
should appreciate the scientific thought and effort of the
individuals who contributed to these advances. Galileo’s
struggle to correct the misconceptions arising from
Aristotle’s explanation of the behavior of falling bodies led
to Newton’s deductive approach to motion in The
Principia. Today, Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
and his laws of motion are used to predict the landing sites
for NASA’s space flights.

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Nature of Scientific Much of what is understood about the nature of science
Knowledge must be addressed explicitly:
• All scientific knowledge is tentative, although many
ideas have stood the test of time and are reliable for
our use.
• Theories "explain" phenomena that we observe. They
are never proved; rather, they represent the most
logical explanation based on currently available
evidence. Theories just become stronger as more
supporting evidence is gathered. They provide a
context for further research and give us a basis for
prediction. For example, in physical science, atomic
theory explains the behavior of matter based on the
existence of tiny particles. And kinetic theory
explains, among other things, the expansion and
contraction of gases.
• Laws are fundamentally different from theories.
They are universal generalizations based on
observations of the natural world, such as the nature
of gravity, the relationship of forces and motion, and
the nature of planetary movement.
• Scientists, in their quest for the best explanations of
natural phenomena, employ rigorous methods.
Scientific explanations must adhere to the rules of
evidence, make predictions, be logical, and be
consistent with observations and conclusions. The
NSES state "Explanations of how the natural world
changes based on myths, personal beliefs, religious
values, mystical inspiration, superstition, or authority
may be personally useful and socially relevant, but
they are not scientific." (p. 201).

Science as Inquiry Inquiry should be the central theme in physical science. It

is an integral part of the learning experience and may be
used in both traditional class problems and laboratory
work. The essence of the inquiry process is to ask questions
that stimulate students to think critically and to formulate
their own questions. Observing, classifying, using numbers,
plotting graphs, measuring, inferring, predicting,
formulating models, interpreting data, hypothesizing, and
experimenting all help students to build knowledge and
communicate what they have learned. Inquiry is the
application of creative thinking to new and unfamiliar
situations. Students should learn to design solutions to

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 problems that interest them. This may be accomplished in a
variety of ways, but situations that present a discrepant
event or ones that challenge students’ intuitions have been
successful.

Classical experiments such as measuring inertia and the

speed of falling bodies need not be excluded. Rather, they
should be a prelude to open-ended investigations in which
the students have the chance to pose questions, design
experiments, record and analyze data, and communicate
their findings. For example, after measuring the
relationships among force, mass, and acceleration of falling
bodies, students might investigate the phenomenon of
"weightlessness", or, after measuring physical properties,
they might investigate the connection (if any) between the
density of certain liquids and their boiling point.

Although original student research is often relegated to a

yearly science fair project, continuing student involvement
in research contributes immensely to their understanding of
the process of science and to their problem-solving
abilities. Physical science provides much potential for
inquiries. "Does the aluminum baseball bat have an
advantage over a wooden baseball bat?" "Why?" "Is one
brand of golf ball better than another brand?" "Why?" The
processes of inquiry, experimental design, investigation,
and analysis are as important as finding the correct answer.
Students will master much more than facts and acquisition
of manipulative skills; they will learn to be critical thinkers.

A solid conceptual base of scientific principles, as well as

knowledge of science safety, is necessary for inquiry.
Students should be given a supportive learning
environment based on how scientists and engineers work.
Adherence to all science safety criteria and guidelines for
classroom, field, and laboratory experiences is imperative.
Contact the Science Section at DPI for information and
professional development opportunities regarding North
Carolina specific Science Safety laws, codes, and
standards. The Science Section is spearheading a statewide
initiative entitled NC-The Total Science Safety System.

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Science and Technology It is impossible to learn science without developing some
appreciation of technology. Therefore, this strand has a
dual purpose: (a) developing students’ knowledge and
skills in technological design, and (b) enhancing their
understanding of science and technology.

The methods of scientific inquiry and technological design

share many common elements including objectivity, clear
definition of the problem, identification of goals, careful
collection of observations and data, data analysis,
replication of results, and peer review. Technological
design differs from inquiry in that it must operate within
the limitations of materials, scientific laws, economics, and
the demands of society. Together, science and technology
present many solutions to problems of survival and enhance
the quality of life.

Technological design is important to building knowledge in

physical science. Telescopes, lasers, transistors, graphing
calculators, personal computers, and photogates, for
example, have changed our lives, increased our knowledge
of physical science, and improved our understanding of the
universe.

Science in Personal This strand helps students in making rational decisions in

and Social Perspectives the use of scientific and technological knowledge.
“Understanding basic concepts and principles of science
and technology should precede active debate about the
economics, policies, politics, and ethics of various science
and technology-related challenges. However, understanding
science alone will not resolve local, national, or global
challenges. (NSES, p. 199). The NSES emphasizes that
“students should understand the appropriateness and value
of basic questions ‘What can happen?’ - ‘What are the
odds?’ and ‘How do scientists and engineers know what
will happen?’” (NSES, p. 199). Students should understand
the causes and extent of science-related challenges. They
should become familiar with the advances that proper
application of scientific principles and products have
brought to environmental enhancement, better energy use,
reduced vehicle emissions, and improved human health.

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 PHYSICAL SCIENCE - Grades 9-12

The Physical Science curriculum is designed to continue the investigation of the

physical sciences begun in earlier grades. The Physical Science course will build
a rich knowledge base to provide a foundation for the continued study of science.
The investigations should be approached in both a qualitative and quantitative
manner in keeping with the developing mathematical skills of the students. The
unifying concepts and program strands provide a context for teaching content and
process skill goals. All goals should focus on the unifying concepts:
• Systems, Order and Organization
• Evidence, Models, and Explanation
• Constancy, Change, and Measurement
• Evolution and Equilibrium
• Form and Function.

Strands: The strands are: Nature of Science, Science as Inquiry, Science and
Technology, Science in Personal and Social Perspectives. They provide the context for
teaching of the content Goals and Objectives.

COMPETENCY GOAL 1: The learner will develop abilities necessary to do and

understand scientific inquiry.

Objectives
1.01 Identify questions and problems that can be answered through scientific
investigations.
1.02 Design and conduct scientific investigations to answer questions about the
physical world.
• Create testable hypotheses.
• Identify variables.
• Use a control or comparison group when appropriate.
• Select and use appropriate measurement tools.
• Collect and record data.
• Organize data into charts and graphs.
• Analyze and interpret data.
• Communicate findings.

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1.03 Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence
to:
• Explain observations.
• Make inferences and predictions.
• Explain the relationship between evidence and explanation.
1.04 Apply safety procedures in the laboratory and in field studies:
• Recognize and avoid potential hazards.
• Safely manipulate materials and equipment needed for scientific
investigations.
1.05 Analyze reports of scientific investigations from an informed scientifically literate
viewpoint including considerations of:
• Appropriate sample.
• Adequacy of experimental controls.
• Replication of findings.
• Alternative interpretations of the data.

COMPETENCY GOAL 2: The learner will construct an understanding of forces

and motion.

Objectives
2.01 Measure and mathematically/graphically analyze motion:
• Frame of reference (all motion is relative - there is no motionless frame).
• Uniform motion.
• Acceleration.
2.02 Investigate and analyze forces as interactions that can change motion:
• In the absence of a force, an object in motion will remain in motion or an
object at rest will remain at rest until acted on by an unbalanced force.
• Change in motion of an object (acceleration) is directly proportional to the
unbalanced outside force and inversely proportional to the mass.
• Whenever one object exerts a force on another, an equal and opposite force
is exerted by the second on the first.

COMPETENCY GOAL 3: The learner will analyze energy and its conservation.

Objectives
3.01 Investigate and analyze storage of energy:
• Kinetic energy.
• Potential energies: gravitational, chemical, electrical, elastic, nuclear.
• Thermal energy.
3.02 Investigate and analyze transfer of energy by work:
• Force.
• Distance.

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3.03 Investigate and analyze transfer of energy by heating:
• Thermal energy flows from a higher to a lower temperature.
• Energy will not spontaneously flow from a lower temperature to a higher
temperature.
• It is impossible to build a machine that does nothing but convert thermal
energy into useful work.
3.04 Investigate and analyze the transfer of energy by waves:
• General characteristics of waves: amplitude, frequency, period, wavelength,
velocity of propagation.
• Mechanical waves.
• Sound waves.
• Electromagnetic waves (radiation).

COMPETENCY GOAL 4: The learner will construct an understanding of

electricity and magnetism.

Objectives
4.01 Investigate and analyze the nature of static electricity and the conservation of
electrical charge:
• Positive and negative charges.
• Opposite charges attract and like charges repel.
• Analyze the electrical charging of objects due to the transfer of charge.
4.02 Investigate and analyze direct current electrical circuits:
• Ohm's law.
• Series circuits.
• Parallel circuits.
4.03 Investigate and analyze magnetism and the practical applications of the
characteristics of magnets.
• Permanent magnets
• Electromagnetism
• Movement of electrical charges

COMPETENCY GOAL 5: The learner will build an understanding of the structure

and properties of matter.

Objectives
5.01 Develop an understanding of how scientific processes have led to the current
atomic theory.
• Dalton’s atomic theory.
• J.J. Thomson’s model of the atom.
• Rutherford’s gold foil experiment
• Bohr’s planetary model.
• Electron cloud model.

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5.02 Examine the nature of atomic structure:
• Protons.
• Neutrons.
• Electrons.
• Atomic mass.
• Atomic number.
• Isotopes.
5.03 Identify substances through the investigation of physical properties:
• Density.
• Melting point.
• Boiling point.

COMPETENCY GOAL 6: The learner will build an understanding of regularities

in chemistry.

Objectives
6.01 Analyze the periodic trends in the physical and chemical properties of elements.
• Groups (families).
• Periods.
6.02 Investigate and analyze the formation and nomenclature of simple inorganic
compounds.
• Ionic bonds (including oxidation numbers).
• Covalent bonds.
• Metallic bonds.
6.03 Identify the reactants and products of chemical reactions and balance simple
equations of various types:
• Single replacement.
• Double replacement.
• Decomposition.
• Synthesis.
6.04 Measure and analyze the indicators of chemical change including:
• Development of a gas.
• Formation of a precipitate.
• Release/absorption of energy (heat or light).
6.05 Investigate and analyze the properties and composition of solutions:
• Solubility curves.
• Concentration.
• Polarity.
• pH scale.
• Electrical conductivity.
6.06 Describe and explain radioactivity and its practical application as an alternative
energy source:
• Alpha, beta, and gamma decay.
• Fission.
• Fusion.
• Nuclear waste.

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