Student Learning Map for Unit: A Water World: The Chemistry and Physics of Water (2.1)
Key Learning(s):
The chemical and physical properties of sea water have profound effects on sea life. Information learned from previous science
courses is integrated to build off of prior knowledge. NASA plays a vital role in the study of the chemical and physical properties of
the Earth and its oceans. We use the information to study and predict where life will reside and what life will reside there.
Unit Essential Question(s):
If Earth is often referred to as “the water planet,” why is the need for water such an issue for so many?
What is so unique about water and why is this significant physically and biologically?
How does the inorganic chemistry of seawater differ from that of fresh water?
How are organic materials cycled through the Earth and organisms?
How do the chemical properties of seawater affect marine organisms?
What property is the most crucial in explaining the physics of water?
How do physical properties of sea water affect marine organisms?
Concept:
Water’s Unique
Properties / Concept:
The Inorganic Chemistry
of Water / Concept:
The Organic Chemistry
of Water / Concept:
Chemical Factors That
Affect Marine Life
Lesson Essential Question(s):
What is a polar molecule?(A)
What properties does water have because it is a polar molecule?(ET)
Why does ice float?(A)
KEY:
(A) – Acquisition Lesson
(ET) – Extended Thinking / Lesson Essential Question(s):
What is salinity? (A)
Why are the seas salty? (A)
How do temperature and salinity affect sea water density? (ET)
What factors affect sea water’s pH, and why does pH change with depth? (A) / Lesson Essential Question(s):
What is the biogeochemical cycle? (A)
What elements are fundamental to all life? (A) / Lesson Essential Question(s):
How can diffusion and osmosis affect marine organisms? (A)
What are passive and active transport? (A)
What are osmoregulators and osmoconformers? (A)
Vocabulary:
  • Adhesion
  • Assimilation
  • Atoms
  • Covalent bond
  • Dipolar
  • Electrons
  • Hydrogen bonds
  • Ions
  • Molecules
  • Polar molecule
/ Vocabulary:
  • Acidity
  • Alkalinity
  • Ammonification
  • Brackish water
  • Brine
  • Buffer
  • Colligative properties
  • Cohesion
  • Conservative constituents
  • Hyrodmeter
  • Mixture
  • Nonconservative constituents
  • pH
  • Photic zone
  • Principle of constant proportions
  • Salinometer
  • Solution
/ Vocabulary:
  • Biogeochemical
  • Denitrification
  • Micronutrients
  • Nitrification
/ Vocabulary:
  • Active transport
  • Diffusion
  • Hypertonic
  • Hypotonic
  • Isotonic
  • Osmoconformers
  • Osmoregulators
  • Osmosis
  • Osmotic pressure
  • Passive transport

Model from Learning-Focused Strategies. Thompson, M., Thompson, J. (2008)