Physical Science

Course Duration: Full Year

Category: High School, Middle School, Science, Science

Assessment: Pre-Test, Lesson Practice, Unit Exams, Mid-Term Exam, Final Exam

Language: English

Course Overview

Matter can be defined as anything that takes up space and has mass. Energy can be defined as the ability to cause change in matter. Physical Science is the study of matter and energy. Students in the Acellus Physical Science course study the basic components that matter is made of, as well as different forms of energy that make things move and change. Enlightening, on-screen demonstrations of the concepts being taught bring the science to life and enhance student understanding. Course topics include:

Matter
Elements
Energy
Magnetism
Electricity, Circuits, and Resistance
Waves
Sound
Electromagnetic Energy
Light, Color, and Lenses
Force
Motion
Machines
Resources

This course was developed by the International Academy of Science. Learn More

Scope and Sequence

Unit 1 – Properties of MatterIn this unit students are introduced to matter, mass, and volume. They discuss volume by displacement, and the states of matter including solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. They investigate melting, vaporization, freezing, condensation, sublimation, weight, density, and viscosity. They study kinetic theory model and the properties of metals, as well as acids and bases.Unit 2 – Types of MatterIn this unit students explore elements and atoms. They learn about the nucleus and electrons. They discover atomic numbers, atomic mass, molecules, and compounds.Unit 3 – Changes in MatterIn this unit students study physical and chemical changes in matter. They discuss mixtures and the parts of a solution. They explore the signs of a chemical change, the law of conservation of mass, and pure versus non-pure substances.Unit 4 – Forms of EnergyIn this unit students investigate energy. They learn what energy is and the different forms energy can take. They study energy transformations and the law of conservation of energy.Unit 5 – HeatIn this unit students explore heat, conduction, convection, and radiation. They learn about conductors and insulators, and they investigate thermal expansion.Unit 6 – MagnetismIn this unit students study what magnetism is. They investigate what causes magnetism, and they discuss how magnetism impacts our lives. Following this unit students are presented with the Mid-Term Review and Exam.Unit 7 – ElectricityIn this unit students discuss electricity. They learn the parts of a circuit, and explore how series circuits and parallel circuits work. They also study resistance, and learn about high and low resistance.Unit 8 – WavesIn this unit students come to understand what waves are. They study the characteristics of waves. They also explore transverse and longitudinal waves, and learn about how waves travel.Unit 9 – SoundIn this unit students study sound. They learn how sound waves travel, and they explore pitch and loudness.Unit 10 – Electromagnetic EnergyIn this unit students explore electromagnetic energy. They gain understanding of high electromagnetic energy and low electromagnetic energy.Unit 11 – LightIn this unit students study light. They investigate color and discuss sources and receivers of light. They learn about the law of reflection, and about transmission and refraction of light. They further study concave and convex lenses.Unit 12 – ForcesIn this unit students explore force. They learn what force is, as well as the difference between balanced and unbalanced forces. They discuss friction and gravity. They investigate Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, as well as buoyancy, centripetal, and inertia. They also study orbit -- a perfect balance.Unit 13 – MotionIn this unit students study motion. They learn how motion is measured. They learn about Isaac Newton and each of his three laws of motion.Unit 14 – Work and MachinesIn this unit students discuss work. They learn what work is, and what machines are. They explore mechanical advantage, and how to make work easier. In addition, they investigate efficiency.Unit 15 – Alternative Energy SourcesIn this unit students explore alternative energy sources. They discuss resources, as well as fossil fuel. They learn about solar energy, hydro energy, wind energy, and biomass energy. They further study geothermal energy and hydrogen energy. Following this unit students are presented with the Final Review and Exam.