PS.5 New SOL Curriculum Framework

Overview

This standard focuses on the concept that matter and energy can be changed in different ways, but the total amount of mass and energy is conserved. Students have previously investigated physical and chemical changes. It is intended that students will actively develop scientific investigation, reasoning, and logic skills, and the nature of science (PS.1) in the context of the key concepts presented in this standard.

PS.5 The student will investigate and understand changes in matter and the relationship of these changes to the Law of Conservation of Matter and Energy. Key concepts include a) physical changes; b) chemical changes; and c) nuclear reactions.
The critical scientific concepts developed in this standard include the following: Matter can undergo physical and chemical changes. In physical changes, the chemical composition of the substances does not change. In chemical changes, different substances are formed. Chemical changes are often affected by the surface area/volume ratio of the materials involved in the change. The Law of Conservation of Matter (Mass) states that regardless of how substances within a closed system are changed, the total mass remains the same. The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed but only changed from one form to another. A chemical equation represents the changes that take place in a chemical reaction. The chemical formulas of the reactants are written on the left, an arrow indicates a change to new substances, and the chemical formulas of the products are written on the right. Chemical reactions are classified into two broad types: ones in which energy is released (exothermic) and ones in which energy is absorbed (endothermic). (The study of synthesis, decomposition, and replacement reactions can be reserved for high school chemistry.) Another type of change occurs in nuclear reactions. Nuclear energy is the energy stored in the nucleus of an atom. This energy can be released by joining nuclei together (fusion) or by splitting nuclei (fission), resulting in the conversion of minute amounts of matter into energy. In nuclear reactions, a small amount of matter produces a large amount of energy. However, there are potential negative effects of using nuclear energy, including radioactive nuclear waste storage and disposal.	In order to meet this standard, it is expected that students will compare and contrast physical, chemical, and nuclear changes. identify the reactants and products in a given chemical equation formula. design an investigation that illustrates physical and chemical changes. given chemical formulas, write and balance simple chemical equations. analyze experimental data to determine whether it supports the Law of Conservation of Mass. recognize that some types of chemical reactions require continuous input of energy (endothermic) and others release energy (exothermic). describe, in simple terms, the processes that release nuclear energy (i.e., nuclear fission and nuclear fusion). Create a simple diagram to summarize and compare and contrast these two types of nuclear energy. evaluate the positive and negative effects of using nuclear energy.

PS.5 The student will investigate and understand changes in matter and the relationship of these changes to the Law of Conservation of Matter and Energy. Key concepts include

a) physical changes;

b) chemical changes; and

c) nuclear reactions.

Essential Understandings

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Processes

The critical scientific concepts developed in this standard include the following:

Matter can undergo physical and chemical changes. In physical changes, the chemical composition of the substances does not change. In chemical changes, different substances are formed. Chemical changes are often affected by the surface area/volume ratio of the materials involved in the change.
The Law of Conservation of Matter (Mass) states that regardless of how substances within a closed system are changed, the total mass remains the same. The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed but only changed from one form to another.
A chemical equation represents the changes that take place in a chemical reaction. The chemical formulas of the reactants are written on the left, an arrow indicates a change to new substances, and the chemical formulas of the products are written on the right. Chemical reactions are classified into two broad types: ones in which energy is released (exothermic) and ones in which energy is absorbed (endothermic). (The study of synthesis, decomposition, and replacement reactions can be reserved for high school chemistry.)
Another type of change occurs in nuclear reactions. Nuclear energy is the energy stored in the nucleus of an atom. This energy can be released by joining nuclei together (fusion) or by splitting nuclei (fission), resulting in the conversion of minute amounts of matter into energy. In nuclear reactions, a small amount of matter produces a large amount of energy. However, there are potential negative effects of using nuclear energy, including radioactive nuclear waste storage and disposal.

In order to meet this standard, it is expected that students will

compare and contrast physical, chemical, and nuclear changes.
identify the reactants and products in a given chemical equation formula.
design an investigation that illustrates physical and chemical changes.
given chemical formulas, write and balance simple chemical equations.
analyze experimental data to determine whether it supports the Law of Conservation of Mass.
recognize that some types of chemical reactions require continuous input of energy (endothermic) and others release energy (exothermic).
describe, in simple terms, the processes that release nuclear energy (i.e., nuclear fission and nuclear fusion). Create a simple diagram to summarize and compare and contrast these two types of nuclear energy.
evaluate the positive and negative effects of using nuclear energy.