Science BenchmarksFirst Quarter

Preparing for the Science FCAT

SC.A.1.4.3 The Student knows that a change from one phase of matter to another involves a gain or loss of energy

Matter exists in four states: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Particle speed is directly related to temperature. Increasing the temperature, increases the speed and the kinetic energy. Thus as a substance is heated up, its particle movement and kinetic energy increase and vice versa, as a substance is cooled, its particle movement and kinetic energy decreases

In solids, which have definite shape and volume, atoms or molecules are limited in their movement. Particles are close together and are constantly vibrating. When these particles are heated they vibrate faster and expand. When particles get far enough apart, they are capable of forming a liquid, in a process called melting.

In liquids particles can now vibrate and rotate around another with limited ability to travel short distances. Liquids have no shape, but have volume. These particles are moving faster than in solids. The particles also move faster as more heated is added. If enough heat is added, the liquid will become gas in a process called evaporation.

In gases particles vibrate, rotate and move from place to place very fast. Hotter gases more faster than cooler gases. Gases have no shape or volume.

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SC.A. 2.4.5 The student knows that elements are arranged into groups and families based on similarities in electron structure and that their physical and chemical properties can be predicted.

The periodic table organizes all known elements by atomic number and by chemical and physical properties. Remember that atomic number is the number of protons. The horizontal rows in the periodic table are called periods. The vertical columns of the table are called groups, or families. They are similar because of the arrangement of their electrons. For example, elements with one valence electron are in group 1 and are likely to lose an electron to those elements in group 17. Group 18 are the noble gases and are very stable because they have a filled outer energy level.

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SC.B. 1.4.1 The student understands how knowledge of energy is fundamental to all the scientific disciplines (e.g., the energy required for biological processes in living organisms and the energy required for the building, erosion, and rebuilding of the Earth) Also B. 1.4.2 The student understands that there is conservation of mass and energy when matter is transformed

Energy is the ability of an object to produce change in itself or in its surroundings. Energy can be electrical, chemical, mechanical, radiant and thermal.

Radiant –the Sun, plants need this for photosynthesis and convert radiant energy to chemical energy, which is how we get our food

The Sun also is the source of energy in Earth’s atmosphere and enables processes such as the water cycle to continue

Law of conservation of energy – energy cannot be created or destroyed

Kenetic energy – energy of motion, depends on mass and speedPotential energy – stored energyEx: Kinetic energy and potential energy are converted into each other

as a ball rises and falls.

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SC.D. 1.4.1 The student knows how climatic patterns on Earth result from an interplay of many factors (Earth’s topography, its rotation on its axis, solar radiation, the transfer of heat energy where the atmosphere interfaces with lands and oceans, and wind and ocean currents

Climate is the pattern of long term weather conditions found in an area. Climates differ from place to place as the result of many factors.

1. Solar radiation – the amount of solar radiation an area receives largely depends on latitude

2. Topography – is the change in elevation of a place and describes the surface of Earth. Mountainous regions are cooler because of the high altitude. Also the windward side of the mountain receives the rain and the leeward side is dry.

3. Prevailing winds – winds that generally blow in the same direction4. Large bodies of water – water heats and cools more slowly than land

does, so it heats up the land during the winter and cools it down during the summer

5. The gulf stream – the ocean current that affects the climate of Florida. It is a warm ocean current that originates near the equator.

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SC.D. 2.4.1 The students understands the interconnectedness of the systems on Earth and the quality of life (also G. 2.4.4 Terrestrial Ecosystems)An ecosystem consists of all the organisms living in an area, as well

as the nonliving parts of that environment. Living things are affected by other living things. Livings things in an environment are called biotic factors. Nonliving things are called abiotic factors and they also affect living things. Abiotic factors include: water, air, soil, temperature, light and space.

Anything that limits the ability of an organism to live in a certain place is called a limiting factor

Succession : there are two types1. Primary Succession – begins on land that does not have any

living organisms2. Secondary succession – occurs in areas that previously

contained life and still contain soilBiomes – large regions that have similar climates and similar

ecosystems Pg 154

SC.F.1.4.1 The student knows that the body processes involve specific biochemical reactions governed by biochemical principles. Also F. 1.4.3 The student knows that membranes are sites for chemical synthesis and essential energy conversions. F.1.4.5 The student knows that complex interactions among the different kinds of molecules in cell cause distinct cycles of activity governed by proteins.

Cells can undergo chemical reactions that release energy from carbon-containing compounds such as food.

There are 3 major classes of organic molecules:1. Carbohydrates – which include the sugar glucose are formed

from the Sun’s energy in a process called photosynthesis2. Proteins – are needed to access the energy stored in cells, build

cells structures and regulate the rate of chemical reactions3. Lipids – commonly known as fats and oils, create the membranes

of cells that provide the sites for essential energy conversions

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SC.G.1.4.1. The student knows of the great diversity and interdependence of living things. Also G.1.4.2 The student understands how the flow of energy through an ecosystem made up of producers, consumers, and decomposers carries out the processes of life and that some energy dissipates as heat and is not recycled.

The variety of life in an ecosystem is called biodiversity and is important in ecosystems worldwide.

Biodiversity is also important for people, because living things provide people with food, medicine, building materials, and fiber for clothing.

Symbiosis occurs when two or more different species have a close relationship ex: mutualism, commensalism and parasitism

Mutualism - is a relationship in which both species benefitCommensalism – is when one species benefits and the other is not

harmed or helpedParasitism- when one member benefits at the other’s expense

• Autotrophs, or producers, are organisms that use light energy or energy stored in chemical compounds to make other energy-rich compounds.

• Heterotrophs, or consumers, must eat other organisms to get their food and energy

• Decomposers – break down the complex compounds of dead and decaying plants and animals

• Food webs – are models that show all possible feeding relationships at each trophic level in a community

• A food chain that shows only one possible path for the transfer of matter and energy through the ecosystem.

• Energy pyramids show the amount of energy available at each feeding level in an ecosystem

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SC.G.2.4.2 The student knows that changes in a component of an ecosystem will have unpredictable effects on the entire system but that the components of the system tend to react in a way that will restore the ecosystem to its original condition. Also B. 1.4.5 The student knows that each source of energy presents advantages and disadvantages to its use in society and G. 2.4.5 The student understands that the amount of life any environment can support is limited and that human activities can change the flow of energy and reduce the fertility of the Earth

Earth has interconnected systems because many essential elements and compounds cycle through the environment for example: the water cycle, the nitrogen cycle and the oxygen-carbon dioxide cycle.

Population size greatly affects ecosystems because all ecosystems have limited amounts of resources which include water, food, living space, mates and nesting sites

Competition exists when organisms struggle to obtain the same resources that they need to survive and reproduce

Carrying capacity is the largest number of individuals of a species that an environment can support and maintain for a long period of time

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SC.H.2.4.1 The student knows that scientists assume that the universe is a vast system in which basic rules exist that may range from very simple to extremely complex, but that scientists operate on the belief that the rules can be discovered by careful, systemic study.

The Scientific Method uses a series of procedures to solve a problem1. State the problem2. Gather information3. Form a hypothesis4. Test the hypothesis5. Analyze data6. Draw conclusions7. Verify is hypothesis was supported if not, go back and reinstate

the hypothesis

A scientific theory is an explanation of things or event based on knowledge gained from observations and investigations

A scientific law is a statement about what happens in nature and seems to be true all the time

Theories can be changed but laws cannot.

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