A Brief Overview

of

8^th Grade Science

Motion

• The velocity of an object is the rate of change of its position.
• Know how to determine speed, velocity and acceleration.
• Know how to interpret graphs of position versus time and graphs of speed versus time.

Forces

• Know that a force has both direction and magnitude.
• Know the effect the change in force has on an objects motion.
• The greater the mass of an object the more force is needed to achieve the same rate of change in motion.

Structure of Matter

• Each of the more than 100 elements of matter has distinct properties and a distinct atomic structure. All forms of matter are composed of one ore more of the elements.
• An atom is composed of protons, neutrons and electrons.
• Know how compounds are formed.
• Know the states of matter and how they depend on molecular motion.

Earth in the Solar System

• Know that the Sun is one of many stars in the Milky Way galaxy.
• Know that stars are the source of light for all bright objects in outer space.
• Know the appearance, general composition, relative poison and size, and motion of objects in the solar system.

Reactions

• Chemical reactions are processes in which atoms are rearranged into different combinations of molecules.
• Idea of atoms explains the conservation of matter.

Periodic Table

• The organization of the periodic table is based on the properties of the elements and reflects the structure of atoms.
• Each element has a specific number of protons in the nucleus.
• Substances can be classified by their properties.

Density and Buoyancy

• All objects experience a buoyant force when immersed in a fluid.
• Calculate density of substances.

Investigation and Experimentation

• Science Fair Project!
• Develop a testable question.
• Develop a hypothesis.
• Select appropriate tools to test this hypothesis.
• Compile results and create graphs from data.
• Communicate the steps and results from an investigation in written reports and oral presentations.