Physical Science Grade 8  Download an editable version (RTF file)

Standard 1: Understands basic concepts about structure and properties of matter
Interval Benchmark 1: Knows properties and changes in matter
Grade Level Benchmark	Vocabulary	Information	Skills	Classroom Resources
a: Knows physical properties, such as density, boiling point, and solubility, are independent of the amount of sample	physical property density boiling point solubility sample	Knows physical properties of substances Knows properties of substances that change with the amount of sample
b: Knows physical properties of substances can be used to separate a mixture	physical property mixture separation separation method	Knows methods used to separate mixtures into their component parts Knows that different methods are used to separate different types of mixtures Knows that separation methods depend on the physical properties of the mixture being separated
c: Knows some substances can react chemically to form new compounds with new properties	chemical reaction compound chemical property physical property physical change	Knows that a compound is formed from two or more different substances Knows examples of compounds Knows the difference between physical changes and chemical reactions
d: Understands the conservation of matter in physical changes and chemical reactions	conservation of matter physical change chemical reaction	Knows that the same number of atoms weighs the same, no matter how they are arranged Knows that the total weight of a closed system remains the same, no matter how substances within the system interact with one another Knows examples of physical changes Knows examples of chemical reactions
Interval Benchmark 2: Knows the structure of atoms and properties of matter
Grade Level Benchmark	Vocabulary	Information	Skills	Classroom Resources
a: Understands matter is made up of tiny particles called atoms and that different arrangements of atoms make up all substances	atom atomic arrangement	Knows that atoms can be arranged in many different ways Knows that different atomic arrangements result in different characteristics
b: Understands atoms often combine to form a molecule, which is the smallest particle of a substance that retains its properties	atom molecule
c: Knows the type of movement of the atoms in matter that determines its state	atom atomic motion	Knows that atoms are in constant, random motion Knows that atoms in solids are close together and don't move about easily Knows that atoms in liquids are close together and stick to each other, but move about easily Knows that atoms in gas are quite far apart and move about freely
Standard 2: Understands energy types, sources, conversions, and their relationship to heat and temperature
Interval Benchmark 1: Knows transfer of energy
Grade Level Benchmark	Vocabulary	Information	Skills	Classroom Resources
a: Understands energy cannot be created or destroyed but only changed from one form to another	energy conservation of energy forms of energy energy transformation	Knows various forms of energy Knows examples of the transformation of energy from one form to another
b: Knows energy comes in different forms, such as light, heat, chemical, nuclear, mechanical, and electrical	forms of energy chemical energy nuclear energy mechanical energy light energy heat energy electrical energy	Knows that energy is a property of many substances
c: Knows light interacts with matter by transmission, absorption, or scattering	transmission absorption scattering	Knows that light can pass through some substances, but not others Knows that the way in which light interacts with a given substance depends on both the properties of the substance and the properties of the light
d: Understands heat can be transferred through conduction, convection, and radiation and flows from warmer objects to cooler ones	heat transformation convection radiation heat flow thermal equilibrium	Knows examples of heat convection Knows examples of heat radiation Knows that heat flows from warmer objects to cooler ones until both objects reach the same temperature
e: Understands heat is often a byproduct of energy transformations	energy transformation	Knows that energy can be transformed from one form to another Knows examples of processes that transform energy Knows that heat production may be an intended or unintended output of a system Knows examples of systems designed to produce heat Knows examples of systems that produce heat but were not designed to do so
f: Understands electrical current can be used to do work	work energy transfer electrical energy chemical change	Knows that work involves a transfer of energy Knows that electrical circuits provide a means of transferring electrical energy to produce heat, light, sound, chemical changes, and motion Knows examples of systems that use electrical currents
Standard 3: Understands motion and the principles that explain it
Interval Benchmark 1: Knows motion and force
Grade Level Benchmark	Vocabulary	Information	Skills	Classroom Resources
a: Understands vibrations move at different speeds in different materials, have different wavelengths, and set up wave-like disturbances that spread away from the source	speed wavelength wave wave source	Knows examples of vibrations Knows how the properties of a material affect the ability of a vibration to move through it
b: Knows an object's motion can be described by tracing and measuring its position over time		Knows that the position of a moving object changes with time	Measures the position of objects with respect to time
c: Understands effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on an object's motion	force balanced force unbalanced force magnitude	Knows that balanced forces have no effect on an object's motion Knows that an unbalanced force will change an object's motion Knows that if more than one force acts on an object, the forces will reinforce or cancel one another, depending on their direction and magnitude
d: Understands general concepts related to gravitational force	gravitational force Earth's gravity mass strength of a force	Knows that the Earth's gravity pulls any object toward it without touching it Knows that every object exerts a gravitational force on every other object Knows that the strength of a gravitational force depends on the mass of the objects and their distance from one another Knows that gravitational force is hard to detect unless at least one of the objects has a lot of mass