Mission, Vision, Competencies, Standards, and Benchmarks

‣ Describe the identifiable physical properties of substances (e.g.,such as color, hardne
ss, conductivity, density, concentration, and ductilityy). Explain how changes in these
properties can occur without changing the chemical nature of the substance.
‣ Know that matter is made of minute particles called atoms and atoms are comprised
of even smaller components, such as protons, neutrons, and electrons.
‣ Explain the structure and properties of atoms and how variations in the arrangement
and motion of atoms and molecules form the basis of a variety of biological, chemical,
and physical phenomena.
‣ Understand the connection between the periodic table of elements and
atomic structure.
‣ Describe the role of subatomic particles and atomic structure on the properties of an
element and how the atom (of that element) will interact with other atoms. Students
will know that:
o neutrons have little effect on how an atom interacts with other atoms, but they
do affect the mass and the stability of the nucleus.
o protons form the basis for the atom’s identity and the periodic properties of the
elements. The periodic table lists the elements in order of increasing number of
protons and atomic number.
o
electrons (valence electrons) are responsible for the bonding together of atoms
to form and/or rearrange molecules by losing, gaining, or sharing electrons in
chemical reactions.
‣ Explain the periodic trends in atoms and elements such as atomic size, ionization
potential, electro-negativity as a function of atomic number and electron configuration.
‣ Know and apply principles of stoichiometry to balance chemical reactions, calculate
limiting reagents, calculate molar concentrations and concentrations of solutions,
determine empirical and molecular formulas.
‣ Explain the differences between acids and bases, identify common acids and bases,
and determine the concentration of hydronium and hydroxide ions.
‣ Recognize that some atomic nuclei (radioactive substances) are unstable and will
undergo spontaneous nuclear decay emitting particles and/or high energy wave-like
radiation. Students will know that:
‣ nuclear fission involves the decay of large nuclei into smaller nuclei with
characteristic half-lives.
‣ nuclear fusion is the joining of nuclei into a larger nucleus, accompanied by the release
of large quantities of energy. Nuclear fusion in the stars creates all the elements in the
universe beyond helium.
‣ Describe how atoms and molecules can gain or lose energy only in discrete amounts
as governed by their electron configuration.
‣ Describe the motion of objects relative to a reference point in terms of position,
displacement, distance, speed, velocity, acceleration, and time.
‣ Know concepts of forces and energy and apply vector mathematics and conservation
laws, such as energy and momentum, to describe one- and two-dimensional motion
such as projectile motion, circular motion, and oscillating motion.
‣ Describe and predict effects of forces such as elastic, gravitational, electric, magnetic,
tension and compression on objects and on the motion of objects within a system.
‣ Apply Newton’s three laws of motion to describe why: (a) objects undergo uniform
motion, constant velocity, (b) objects accelerate, and (c) interacting objects experience
equal and opposite forces.
‣ Apply Newton’s Laws to determine the net force on an object when: (a) forces are
balanced and (b) forces are unbalanced.
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