8th Grade Science – Midterm Study Guide

8.1 – Measurement = 4 Questions (10%)

Understand how to interpret a graph of data.

Be able to identify the independent and dependent variables on a table of data, experiment description,

or graph of data.

Be able to identify possible controls and constants used in an experiment.

Be able to make a clear conclusion from the evidence given in an experiment.

8.2 – Motion = 5 Questions (13%)

Understand the difference between scalar and vector quantities and know examples of each.

Be able to calculate the distance and displacement of an object in motion.

Be able to calculate the average speed or average velocity of an object in motion.

Be able to calculate the average acceleration of an object in motion using the change of velocity over

time.

8.3 – Forces (Newton’s Laws) = 8 Questions (20%)

Understand Newton’s First Law (Law of Inertia) and inertia’s sole dependence on mass.

Understand Newton’s First Law that an object in motion will stay in motion unless a net force acts upon

an object.

Be able to calculate the force of gravity (or weight) of an object.

Be able to draw a free body diagram (both in equilibrium and accelerating)

Be able to calculate the net force on an object given its mass and acceleration.

Be able to calculate the net force on an object given multiple forces acting on the object.

Be able to calculate the acceleration of an object given the mass of the object and after determining the

net force.

Understand Newton’s Third Law and action-reaction forces being equal

8.4 – Energy = 11 Questions (28%)

Be able to calculate the gravitation potential energy of an object at a height.

Be able to calculate the kinetic energy of an object that is moving at a specific velocity.

Understanding the mechanical energy is conserved (potential energy + kinetic energy) is the same at all

points.

Be able to identify the point on a roller coaster track that has the greatest gravitational energy, the

greatest kinetic energy, the greatest velocity, and that the mechanical energy is the same for all points.

Understand how energy transfers through systems such as mechanical electrical.

Understand that metals and water will have different temperature changes, but the energy change is the

same (when a hot metal is placed in colder water).

Understand that heat is transferred from the hot object to the colder object.

Understand that metals are good conductors of heat (both absorbing and releasing) whereas insulators

are not

Understand that during phase changes (boiling, freezing, etc.) the temperature remains the same.

8th Grade Science – Midterm Study Guide

8.5 – Atomic Structure = 6 Questions (15%)

Understand that the nucleus contains protons and neutrons in an extremely small place.

Understand isotopes are an element with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons

(different mass).

Be able to determine the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons given an element, its mass, and its

charge (may be neutral).

Be able to determine the symbol, mass number, and charge given the number of protons, neutrons, and

electrons.

Be able to determine the element given its electron configuration as well as determine the electron

configuration given its element.

8.6 – Periodic Table = 6 Questions (15%)

Understand that elements in the same family (or group) have the similar chemical properties.

Be able to identify the valence electrons of an element.

Be able to identify the family name of an element.

Be able to identify the element given the period and group numbers.

Be able to identify metallic, non-metallic elements, or semi-metallic (metalloid) given its physical

properties.

Understand that the modern periodic table is arranged by increasing atomic number.