Learn to describe and measure matter. Explore atomic structure and how elements behave according to physical and chemical properties. Investigate how we have organized all the known elements to help us understand matter and predict how matter will behave. Discover why we can heat, cool, break, burn, and even transform units of matter into entirely new compounds, yet we always end up with the same amount of matter as we began with. In part I of this two-part lesson, explore volume, density, the difference between mass and weight, and how temperature and the forces of gravity, buoyancy, and pressure affect matter. In part II, an introduction to converting between English and metric systems paves the way for directly measuring mass, length, area, volume and temperature. Next, calculate density, inspect how weight and pressure are measured, and learn how to determine if an object will float. This step-wise, content-rich lesson provides an introductory overview that demonstrates the interconnectedness of chemistry and physics. Survey historical steps that led to our current understanding of the atom. Learn how atomic number and mass number describe numbers of particles in different elements. Explore how atomic mass is determined, what isotopes are, how elements combine chemically as molecules and compounds, and how mixing substances together can form different types of mixtures. Discover ways to detect changes in physical and chemical properties and how any change always follows the conservation of mass. An understanding of properties will enable you to discern ways to separate and identify substances in compounds and mixtures. Investigate solids, liquids, gases and even plasmas. Explore how changes in energy overcome attractions and affect particle motion, volume, and the behavior of different states of matter. Heating curves tie the topic together, pairing the opposite processes of melting and evaporation with condensation and freezing. More than just a way to present elements, the periodic table shows patterns in various physical and chemical properties of elements. Discover how to describe and element's position on the periodic table as well as how to determine numbers of atomic particles, state at room temperature, the presence or absence of metallic properties, and general trends in reactivity.
Chemistry Fundamentals reveal the ubiquitous but often hidden world of chemical combinations. Study why atoms form bonds, probe how reactions occur and how to classify them, and survey the wide array of substances resulting from mixing materials together. Investigate how electron configurations of atoms lead to forming ionic, covalent, or metallic bonds. Explore properties of compounds formed by these types of bonds and discover other ways to look at compounds. This topic also teaches how to discern organic and inorganic compounds, as well as acids, bases and salts. Learn how substances combine to form heterogeneous mixtures, colloids, and solutions. Investigate polarity, determine solubility, influence dissolving rate, calculate concentration, and study acidic and basic solutions and the pH scale. Learn to spot signs of chemical reactions and identify reactions by their behavior or type of reactants. Use the conservation of mass to balance reactions and experiment with ways to influence the rate of chemical reactions.
Explore the multifaceted world of energy. Learn how energy does the work necessary to heat our homes and power our machines. Investigate energy transfers that allow us to see and hear, as well as how energy forms the basis of all life on Earth. This topic unites energy in its many forms. Use the law of conservation of energy to relate changes between kinetic and different forms of potential energy as well as chemical, electrical, nuclear, sound, and light energy. The importance of the sun as an energy source initiates exploration of energy conservation and renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. Compare ways thermal energy is transferred as heat through conduction, convection, and radiation. Study the molecular meaning of temperature, how temperature increases based on heat capacity, and practice converting between three different temperature scales. Discover what electricity is, how it travels and how it does work. Learn to distinguish between static electricity and electric current, various circuits and breakers, and how to predict a change in voltage, amperage, or resistance using Ohm's Law. Take an electrical journey, learning how electricity is produced in a power plant and travels through transformers and lines to an outlet in a home. Observe the force that draws certain metals to magnets. Learn how and why certain objects are magnetic and how magnetic fields interact. Explore how magnets and electric charges are related, then put it all together with a look at electromagnets and other applications of electromagnetism. Investigate waves and their properties in the context of everyday experiences. This in-depth look at the different types of waves and their features sets the stage for a deeper understanding of how they allow us to see and hear. Much of what we see and hear relates to how waves react with different media. Discover how waves are refracted, reflected, transmitted, absorbed, and diffracted, allowing us to do things such as see colors, and hear around corners. Explore how different lenses work and can be used to correct vision problems.
Investigate the way things work in Forces and Motion. From plotting velocity and calculating acceleration, to determining how forces influence motion, and devising machines to solve problems, this unit provides tools for measuring and describing the world around you. Discriminate between speed, velocity and acceleration. Depict speed graphically and learn to calculate acceleration during this tour on an imaginary bus ride through a city bustling with motion. Gravity and Newton's Laws explain how objects move and react. This topic teaches how to relate the forces affecting motion to everyday experiences and observations. Put your knowledge of forces and motion to work. Investigate power, mechanical advantage, efficiency, and how simple machines such as levers, wedges, and pulleys make work easier.
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