New Hampshire 6th Grade Science Standards in Physical Science

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Physical Science

• PS1 All living and nonliving things are composed of matter having characteristic properties that distinguish one substance from another (independent of size/amount of substance).
  • 1 Composition
    • S:PS1:6:1.1 Recognize that all matter is composed of minute particles called atoms; and explain that all substances are composed of atoms, each arranged into different groupings.
    • S:PS1:6:1.2 Identify elements as substances that contain only one kind of atom; and explain that elements do not break down by normal laboratory reactions, such as heating, exposure to electric current, and reaction to acid.
    • S:PS1:6:1.3 Recognize that over one hundred elements exist, and identify the periodic table as a tool for organizing the information about them.
  • 2 Properties
    • S:PS1:6:2.1 Identify elements according to their common properties, such as highly reactive metals, less reactive metals, highly reactive non-metals and almost non-reactive gases.
    • S:PS1:6:2.2 Identify substances by their physical and chemical properties, such as magnetism, conductivity, density, solubility, boiling and melting points.
    • S:PS1:6:2.3 Differentiate between weight and mass.
    • S:PS1:6:2.4 Identify energy as a property of many substances.
• PS2 Energy is necessary for change to occur in matter. Energy can be stored, transferred and transformed, but cannot be destroyed.
  • 1 Change
    • S:PS2:6:1.1 Differentiate between a physical change, such as melting, and a chemical change, such as rusting.
  • 2 Conservation
    • S:PS2:6:2.1 Describe how mass remains constant in a closed system and provide examples relating to both physical and chemical change.
  • 3 Energy
    • S:PS2:6:3.1 Explain that the pitch of a sound is dependent on the frequency of the vibration producing it.
    • S:PS2:6:3.2 Explain that sound vibrations move at different speeds, have different wavelengths; and establish wave-like disturbances that emanate from the source.
    • S:PS2:6:3.3 Recognize that energy, in the form of heat, is usually a by-product when one form of energy is changed to another, such as when machines convert stored energy to motion.
    • S:PS2:6:3.4 Explain that heat energy moves from warmer materials or regions to cooler ones through conduction, convection, and radiation.
    • S:PS2:6:3.5 Explain how electrical circuits can be used to transfer energy in order to produce heat, light, sound, and chemical changes.
• PS3 The motion of an object is affected by force.
  • 1 Forces
    • S:PS3:6:1.1 Recognize that just as electric currents can produce magnetic forces, magnets can cause electric currents.
    • S:PS3:6:1.2 Explain that when a force is applied to an object, it reacts in one of three ways: the object either speeds up, slows down, or goes in a different direction.
    • S:PS3:6:1.3 Describe the relationship between the strength of a force on an object and the resulting effect, such as the greater the force, the greater the change in motion.
  • 2 Motion
    • S:PS3:6:2.1 Explain the how balanced and unbalanced forces are related to an object’s motion.
    • S:PS3:6:2.2 Explain that an object’s motion can be tracked and measured over time and that the data can be used to describe its position.
• PS4 The growth of scientific knowledge in Physical Science has been advanced through the development of technology and is used (alone or in combination with other sciences) to identify, understand and solve local and global issues.
  • 1 Design Technology
    • S:PS4:6:1.1 Understand that scientific principles are used in the design of technology.
  • 2 Tools
    • S:PS4:6:2.1 Recognize that manufacturing processes use a variety of tools and machines to separate, form, combine and condition natural and synthetic materials.
  • 3 Social Issues (Local and Global), Energy, Power, and Transportation, Manufacturing
    • S:PS4:6:3.1 Explain how a battery changes chemical energy into electrical energy.
    • S:PS4:6:3.2 Demonstrate how to produce a magnetic force with an electric current, such as an electromagnet, and how to produce an electric current with a magnet, such as a generator.
    • S:PS4:6:3.3 Provide an example to show that manufacturing processes involve changing natural materials into finished products through a series of processes that involve physical and/or chemical changes.
  • 4 Career Technical Education Connections
    • S:PS4:6:4.1 Understand that some form of science is used in most jobs/careers and that some jobs/careers specifically require knowledge of physical science.