What is Science?
The systematic way of studying the world around us through scientific inquiry. By asking
questions and seeking the answers to those questions.
Measurement
Length- The Distance between two points. (Unit = meter, m)
Metric Ruler- cm or mm
Meter Stick 1m or 100cm
Mass-The amount of matter in an object contains. (Unit= grams, g)
Balance
Volume The amount of space an object contains or occupies. (Units= Centimeter Cubed cm3 or
milliliter, mL)
Regular Solid (rectangle)- Ruler to measure L*W*H
Liquid- Graduated Cylinder-
Meniscus line- measure from the bottom of the curve.
Irregular Solid- Use Graduated Cylinder to determine Water Displacement
Measure Volume of irregular solids.
Metric Conversions (Kilo, Hecto, Deca, Base Unit, Deci, Centi, Milli)
Matter
Atoms- the smallest particle into which an element can be divided and still be the same
element. The building block of matter.
Nucleus (central part of atom)
Protons (positive charge + )
Neutrons (no charge)
Electron Cloud
Electrons (negative charge - )
Elements
A substance composed of a single type of atom.
Mixture
Two or more substances that are physically combined.
Compounds
A substance of different kinds of atoms chemically combined with different properties
than the elements themselves.
Periodic Table
Identify elements and determine the subatomic particles that make up each element.
Atomic Number = number of protons, also equal to the number of electrons
Atomic Mass (Mass Number) = Number of Protons + Neutrons
To find the number of neutrons:
Atomic Mass (rounded) – Atomic Number = Number of Neutrons
States of Matter
Solids
Have definite shape and definite volume.
Least amount of kinetic energy, Particles very close together. (most dense)
Particles Vibrate in place.
Liquids
Have definite volume, but not definite shape.
More kinetic energy than solids.
Particles further apart than solids.
Gases
Do not have definite shape or definite volume.
Greatest kinetic energy.
Particles furthest apart. (least dense)
Changes in States of Matter:
Adding Energy (heating)
Melting- Solid to Liquid
Evaporation- Liquid to Gas
Sublimation- Solid directly to a Gas (skips liquid phase)
Subtracting Energy (cooling)
Deposition- Gas directly to a solid (skips liquid phase)
Condensation- Gas to a liquid
Freezing – Liquid to a Solid
Chemical and Physical Changes
Physical Change- the change that affects one or more physical properties, changing shape, size
or appearance of an object.
Ripping paper,
Cutting hair
Changing the physical state of matter. Solid to liquid to gas.
Chemical Change- Occur when two or more substances change into entirely new substances
with different properties.
Indicated by:
Fizzing (indicated a gas was produced)
Changes in heat
Endothermic (takes heat in feeling cold)
Exothermic (giving off heat, feeling hot)
Density
The amount of matter (mass) in a given volume.
Density Problems (Know the correct units)
Equations= D= M/V M= D*V V=M/D
Units= D= g/mL M=g V= mL
Scientific Method
Independent Variable-
The variable the scientist change.
Dependent Variable-
The variable the scientist measures. Should be used to answer the problem.
Constants-
Variables a scientist strives to keep the same so the scientist knows that the
independent variable caused the change.
Control Group-
The group that does not receive the independent variable. (No change)
Experimental Group-
The group that receives the change or the independent variable.
Minerals
What is a Mineral?
A naturally occurring, inorganic, solid that has crystal structure and definite chemical
composition.
Organic- Living material
Inorganic- Non-Living
Properties of a Mineral
Color- not a useful property, mineral colors vary and can be similar.
Hardness- scratch test to test for resistance to scratch.
Mohs Hardness Scale- Known the reference hardness’s.
Streak- color of powder left on a piece of tile.
Luster- metallic non-metallic
Density - mass per unit volume.
Mining-
Reclamation- restoring the land back to its original state after mining.
Pollution issues with mining.
Rocks
Classifying Rocks (By how they form)
Igneous Rocks – form from molten material, lava or magma that cools and forms a solid.
Classified by where they form, resulting in different textures.
Intrusive- Cools inside the earth, cools slowly, has coarse grain texture (large
grains)
Extrusive- Cools on Earth’s surface, cools quickly, has fine grain texture (Small
grains)
Sedimentary Rocks- Form when minerals that form from solution or sediment from
older rocks get pressed and cemented together.
Classified by how they form.
Clastic- Forms from sediments buried, compacted and cemented
together.
Chemical- From when water, evaporates, leaving behind minerals that
were dissolved in the solution.
Organic- Rock that forms from the remains or fossils or once living
things.
Metamorphic Rocks- Forms when pressure, temperature, or chemical processes change
existing rock.
Classified by the arrangement of the mineral grains.
Foliated- bands in parallel layers.
NonFoliated- random arrangement of bands, nonbanded.
Rock Cycle- The series of processes that can change rocks into any rock type.
Soil Formation
Steps to soil formation.
1. Weathering- the breakdown of parent rock into smaller and smaller pieces.
Mechanical (Physical) Weathering-
Breaking down the rock through physical changes.
Freezing and Thawing
Ice Wedging
Pressure changes on rock.
Actions of animals and Plant Growth
Abrasion- the breaking down and wearing a way of rock material
through mechanical action of other rock. May occur in wind, water or due to gravity.
Chemical Weathering-
Breaking down rock through chemical changes in both the chemical
composition and appearance of the rock.
Reactions with
Oxygen- Oxidation (rusting)
Acid Rain
Ground Water
Living Things (lichens produce acid to break down rock)
2. Decomposition and Mixing by living things.
Bacteria and Fungi help break down organic remains creating humus, adding
nutrients to the soil.
Animals that borrow loosen and mix the soil, increasing the amount of air and
the soil’s ability to drain water.