Grade 8 Physical Science - Oak Meadow

1 Eighth Grade Science OverviewS c i e n ceFirst Se m e s t erSecond Se m e s t erControlled experimentsPeriodic table of the elementsMixtures and compoundsForce vectorsMass, weight, and gravityLaws of motionTTypes of energyStudent-led scientific inquiryProperties of wavesElectromagnetic spectrumRedzlection, absorption, and refraction of lightElectric charge and electrical currentMesuring and controlling electricityMMagnetism and electromagnetismMechanical advantagePrinciples of aerodynamicsStudent-led scientific inquiryGrade 8 Physical ScienceCoursebookOak Meadow , Office Box 615 Putney, Vermont Meadow iiiTable of ContentsIntroduction .. xiUnit I: Scientific Habits and Properties of MatterLesson 1: Measurements and Quantitative Data.

2 3 The Flow of DiscoveryScientific InquiryMeasurements and Quantitative DataScientific ArgumentLesson 2: Controlled Experiments and the Scientific Method .. 15 Scientific MethodVariable and Constant FactorsControlled versus Uncontrolled EnvironmentsUsing the Scientific MethodCausation and CorrelationLesson 3: Matter and Elements .. 25 Matter and MassElements, Atoms, and MoleculesProperties of ElementsPeriodic Table of ElementsAtomic Weight and MassElectrons and Electron ShellsLesson 4: Scientific Inquiry .. 39 Modeling an Element or MoleculeTable of Contents Grade 8 Physical Scienceiv Oak MeadowUnit II: Chemical ReactionsLesson 5: Mixtures and Compounds .. 43 Mixtures CompoundsChemical Composition of MoleculesOxidationChemical Reactions in PhotosynthesisLesson 6: Types of Mixtures.

3 51 Different Types of SolutionsSolubility, Concentration, and Saturation Solutions, Colloids, and SuspensionsSeparating MixturesLesson 7: Temperature and Pressure .. 61 Thermal Energy and Heat TransferConduction, Convection, and RadiationConductors and InsulatorsThermal Expansion and ContractionSpecial Properties of WaterTemperature as a Measurement of Thermal EnergyIncreasing and Decreasing PressureUnit III: Forces and InteractionsLesson 8: Force and Motion .. 77 Different Kinds of ForcesForce and MotionForce Vectors and ResultantsForce Vectors on a Straight LineGrade 8 Physical Science Table of ContentsOak Meadow vLesson 9: Mass, Weight, and Gravity .. 87 Newton s Law of GravityMass, Weight, and GravityCenter of GravityLesson 10: First Law of Motion.

4 97 Newton s First Law of Motion (Law of Inertia)Frictional ForceTypes of FrictionLesson 11: Second and Third Laws of Motion .. 107 VelocityAccelerationNewton s Second Law of MotionNewton s Third Law of Motion lesson 12: Scientific Inquiry .. 117 Interest-Led LearningUnit IV: EnergyLesson 13: Types of Energy .. 121 What Is Energy? Potential Energy and Kinetic EnergyHow Energy Changes FormsEnergy Transfer and Escaping Heat EnergyLesson 14: Thermodynamics and Conservation of 129 Laws of ThermodynamicsConservation of Mechanical EnergyPendulums and Conservation of EnergyTable of Contents Grade 8 Physical Sciencevi Oak MeadowLesson 15: Work and Power .. 137 Work as the Transfer of EnergyCalculating PowerLesson 16: Harnessing Energy.

5 143 Converting Energy Sources to PowerNonrenewable Energy SourcesRenewable Energy SourcesEnergy in Food SystemsLesson 17/18: Scientific Inquiry .. 157 Energy in Food SystemsUnit V: Waves lesson 19: Properties of Waves .. 161 Properties of WavesTransverse, Longitudinal, and Surface WavesMeasuring WavesWave Velocity Wave Interference lesson 20: Sound Waves .. 171 How Does Sound Travel? Sound Wave PatternsProperties of Sound: Loudness and Pitch Tone Color or TimbreThe Speed of Sound in Different Types of MatterAbsorption and Reflection of Sound Waves Acoustics Grade 8 Physical Science Table of ContentsOak Meadow viiLesson 21: Light Energy and the Electromagnetic Spectrum.

6 185 Light Energy The Electromagnetic SpectrumVisible Spectrum Light TechnologyLight Wave InterferenceLesson 22: Properties of Light Waves .. 195 Reflection Absorption and TransmissionRefractionDispersion: Prisms and RainbowsScattering: Blue Skies and Red SunsetsLesson 23: Sight and Lenses .. 205 LensesConverging and Diverging Light Rays Creating Images with the Eye How Do Eyeglasses Work?How a Camera Sees lesson 24: Scientific Inquiry .. 215 Wave TechnologyUnit VI: Electricity and MagnetismLesson 25: Electricity .. 219 Electric ChargeLaws of Electric Charge Static Electricity and Current Electricity Conductors and InsulatorsTable of Contents Grade 8 Physical Scienceviii Oak MeadowLesson 26: Batteries and Circuits.

7 227 Circuits and SwitchesDry and Wet Cell BatteriesSeries and Parallel Circuits lesson 27: Measuring and Controlling Electricity .. 235 Measuring Electric Current: AmperesMeasuring Electromotive Force: VoltsMeasuring Electrical Power: WattsControlling Electric Current: ResistanceMeasuring Resistance: Ohms lesson 28: Home Electricity .. 245 Resistors and Series Circuits Resistors and Parallel Circuits Electricity Overload Short Circuits Electric Shocks lesson 29: Magnetism .. 257 Magnetism and Magnetic FieldsHow Atoms Behave in a MagnetCreating Magnets Earth s Magnetism lesson 30: Electromagnetism .. 265 Making a Magnetic Field with Electricity Using an Electromagnet to Do WorkMaking Electricity from Magnetism Direct Current and Alternating Current Grade 8 Physical Science Table of ContentsOak Meadow ixUnit VII: Engineering DesignLesson 31: Mechanical Advantage.

8 279 Simple and Complex MachinesMechanical Advantage Inclined Planes Levers and FulcrumsMachines and the Laws of ThermodynamicsLesson 32: Wheels and Pulleys .. 291 Wheels and Axles Centrifugal and Centripetal Force PulleysLesson 33: Aerodynamics and Flight .. 301 Projectiles Aerodynamic Forces Air Pressure, Lift, and Bernoulli s Principle How Does an Airfoil Work? lesson 34: Modern Machines .. 309 Communications EntertainmentTransportation: Internal Combustion and HydraulicsTransportation: Hybrid CarsLesson 35: Scientific Inquiry .. 319 Mechanical EngineeringLesson 36: Learning Review and Reflection .. 321 Table of Contents Grade 8 Physical Sciencex Oak MeadowAppendixFinding Reputable Sources.

9 326 Citing Your Sources ..326 Plagiarism ..327 Materials List ..328 Oak Meadow xiIntroductionWelcome to the Oak Meadow Physical Science course. In this course, you will be learning the answers to many questions we often ask about the Physical world around us. Why do we see colors? How do things get hot? What forces combine to keep a heavy airplane aloft? There are many natural forces and Physical properties that influence our actions every day. This year, you will be learning about some of these forces and how they secret to understanding any new subject lies in learning the language. When you learn a new game, there are usually unfamiliar words used to describe the parts of the game.

10 The same is true of Science . In this course, you may come across new words (such as inertia, torque, and thermo dynamics) as well as words used and defined differently than you may be used to (such as work, power, and force). It might be helpful to keep a list of new words and their meanings handy to help you as you move through this course. You will be expected to use correct and specific terminology in your assignments. This course was designed around Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which means that there are many opportunities for you to experience, explain, diagram, model, and reflect on the concepts you are MaterialsThis course uses the following materials: Grade 8 Physical Science Coursebook Physical Science Lab ManualThe coursebook in your hands is your primary resource for completing the course.