II. PHYSICAL SCIENCE TOPICS

 
  1. Force and Motion
  2. Energy
  3. Properties of Matter
  4. Changes in Matter

 

Additional Sites for Physical Science

 

3. Properties of Matter (PM)

Middle School

  1. P.PM.M.1 Chemical Properties -"Matter has chemical properties. The understanding of chemical properties helps to explain how new substances are formed."
    1. Chemistry for Kids
      A good source enabling students to gather information on atoms, molecules, elements, compounds, and mixtures. This site contains information about elements in the Periodic Table. It tells about each element and how it got it's name, how it bonds with other elements and about it's physical properties. Students can take a quiz at the end.
    2. The Science Center - Building Block Chemistry
      Recognizing basic elements as building blocks is essential to the study of science. And looking closer at one element in particular -- chlorine -- can help ignite students' interest in chemistry.  This is a two day study which includes student worksheets and teacher strategies.  There is a classroom activity area that relates to the topic to real life applications.
  2. P.PM.M.2 Elements and Compounds -"Elements are composed of a single kind of atom that are grouped into families with similar properties on the periodic table. Compounds are composed of two or more different elements. Each element and compound has a unique set of physical and chemical properties such as boiling point, density, color, conductivity, and reactivity."
    1. Air Travelers
      This website introduces students to buoyancy, properties of gases, and temperature in the context of hot air ballooning.  There are also videos that show the steps of taking a balloon ride and some history of ballooning.
    2. Atoms
      A well organized interactive site with java models of atoms that students can control and observe how changing the properties affects the results. Over a dozen different interactive models for students. Some models offer controls for friction, gravity and more.
    3. Atomic Structure Web Quest
      This is an atomic structure Webquest. Students are directed to construct a children’s reference book on the periodic “chart”. Detailed instructions are provided on subsequent web pages for the following: (1) Introduction, (2) Task, (3) Resources, (4) Process, (5) Learning Advice and (6) Evaluation (excellent checklist/rubric which can be downloaded and printed). This site also has several interactive and informative links which can be accessed.
    4. Chemical Elements.com, and On-line, Interactive Periodic Table of the Elements
      Interactive Periodic Table with detailed background information on each element. Diagrams include number of protons and neutrons, number of electrons in each energy level, and number of energy levels.
    5. Elementymology & Elements Multidict
      Interactive Periodic Table in 70 different languages. Also includes interesting information such as: seven metals known since antiquity in 100 different languages.
    6. Energy Quest - Energy Education from the California Energy Commission
      This site contains information about many energy related themes.
    7. It's Elemental - Element Math Game!
      The computer will randomly pick an element and present you with that element's data from the Periodic Table of Elements. Use that information to answer the question that the computer asks about the number of protons, neutrons, electrons or nucleons (particles in the nucleus) that an atom of that element contains.
    8. Measuring Density
      This website can be used by students to review the concepts of mass, volume, and density.  Also, teachers could use this as an instructional tool.
    9. Periodic Table of the Elements for Elementary, Middle School, and High School Students
      Los Alamos National Laboratory's Chemistry Division's interactive Periodic Table of the ELements. Interactive Periodic Table complete with pictures, descriptions, sources, compounds, uses, forms and isotopes for each element.
    10. Periodic Table of the Elements
      Environmental Chemistry – Interactive Periodic Table. Site also allows you to sort chemical elements into 18 different categories, such as: crystal structure (complete with diagram).
    11. Separation of Mixtures Lab
      Experiment with separating mixtures. Students will choose which tool works best to perform the experiment. They are responsible for recording their findings in a table.
    12. The Visual Elements Periodic Table
      Interactive Visual Element Periodic Table. Current, uses real pictures of each element in their raw form or one of its many uses, such as: Polonium - heat source for space vehicles.
    13. WebElements
      The WebElements scholar edition aims to be a high quality source of information on the WWW about the periodic table for students. You will find many pictures showing element structures and periodic properties. This is a great interactive research tool for students looking for specific information on an element from the periodic table.
    14. Your Weight on Other Worlds
      This is a good site to meet the objectives of description and measurement of weight using a student interactive activity that asks them to compute their weight if they were on other planets. Good graphics, easy to follow instructions for teacher and student. This site requires Java script.

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