Structure and Properties of Matter
Essential Question
How can one explain the structure, properties and interactions of matter?
Table of Contents
How do we describe the physical properties or characteristics of matter in a precise measurable way?
What are the common structures of atoms?
How does an atom's structure determine the properties of the matter it composes?
How are elements arranged in the Periodic Table?
How can we use the Periodic table to determine certain properties of elements?
Quantifying Matter
How do we describe the physical properties or characteristics of matter in a precise measurable way?
Measurements
In Class Activity: Stations Activity: Measurement and Conversion Stations
In these stations labs you will work hands on with the different kinds of SI measurements and conversions.
LEARNING TARGETS: Length Stations
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Define units of length and convert from one to another.
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Perform arithmetic calculations on units of length.
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Solve application problems involving units of length.
LEARNING TARGETS: Mass Stations
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Define units of mass and convert from one to another.
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Perform arithmetic calculations on units of mass.
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Solve application problems involving units of mass.
LEARNING TARGETS: Volume Stations
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Define units of volume and convert from one to another.
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Perform arithmetic calculations on units of volume.
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Solve application problems involving units of volume.
Online Interactive Lab: PHET Density
Why do objects like wood float in water? Does it depend on size? Create a custom object to explore the effects of mass and volume on density. Can you discover the relationship? Use the scale to measure the mass of an object, then hold the object under water to measure its volume. Can you identify all the mystery objects?
In Class Activity: Discovery Math: Operations with Scientific Notation
What is scientific notation? Why do we use it? How do we perform mathematical functions with it
LEARNING TARGETS: Length Stations
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Define scientific notation.
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Perform arithmetic calculations using scientific notation.
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establish applications of scientific notation.
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Introduce significant figures
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Measurement Uncertainty, Accuracy, and Precision
Lab: Measurement Uncertainty
LEARNING TARGETS
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Familiarize students with the measurement scale of electronic balances, triple beam balances, graduated cylinders, and rulers; to make several different kinds of measurements
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Compare the uncertainty between these different instruments
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Concept of human error in measurement
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Info Sheet: Rules of Significant Figures
Rules about significant figures may seem arbitrary from a theoretical standpoint, but in the laboratory you will see that they allow you to determine the precision of your measurements and calculations. When your measurement has a limited number of digits, your subsequent calculations will also have a limited number of digits.
Online Interactive: Gridlocks Significant Figures
Gridlock is a puzzle game, requiring you not just to recall the information from class,but also use your problem solving skills to unlock the grid. In this Gridlock each row, column and 2 x 2 box contains a common set of four numbers. Each of the four 2 x 2 boxes will contain numbers with either 1, 2, 3, or 4 significant figures. Based on your understanding of significant figures, move the number tiles into the grid to solve the puzzle and unlock the grid.
Mathematical Treatment of Measurement Results
Phases and Classification of Matter
Online Interactive: Gridlocks States of Matter
Gridlock is a puzzle game, requiring you not just to recall the information from class,but also use your problem solving skills to unlock the grid. In this Gridlock each row, column and 2 x 2 box contains the three states of mater. Use your problem solving skills and your understanding of the states of matter, move the information tiles into the grid to solve the puzzle and unlock the grid.
Online Interactive Lab: PHET States of Matter
LEARNING TARGETS
Describe a molecular model for solids, liquids, and gases.
Extend this model to phase changes.
Describe how heating or cooling changes the behavior of the molecules.
Describe how changing the volume can affect temperature, pressure, and state.
Relate a pressure-temperature diagram to the behavior of molecules.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Atomic Structure
What are the common structures of atoms?
How does an atom's structure determine the properties of the matter it composes?
Periodic Table
How are elements arranged in the Periodic Table?
How can we use the Periodic table to determine certain properties of elements?
Online Interactive: Interactive Periodic Table
The Royal Society of Chemistry's interactive periodic table features history, alchemy, podcasts, videos, and data trends across the periodic table. Click the tabs at the top to explore each section. Use the buttons above to change your view of the periodic table and view Murray Robertson’s stunning Visual Elements artwork. Click each element to read detailed information.
Online Interactive: Collisions Atomic Size Game
In this game you will learn about the periodic trend of atomic size and how it changes with the number of protons in an atoms nucleus. When the game loads there will be a button labeled "free try atoms", click it. Once the page loads click the bubble labeled ATOMS, all other bubbles will be locked