Board
Approved – April 8, 2004
Science
Grade 7 – Grade Level Expectations
PHYSICAL
SCIENCE
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best printing results, click here (pdf).
SYSTEMS
(Content)
PROPERTIES
Wave
Behavior
- Identify
and describe the amplitude, wavelength, and speed of sound waves, water waves
and light waves.
- Identify
and describe how sound waves and water waves affect the motion of the particles
in the substance through which the wave is traveling.
- Identify
and describe changes in speed or direction as a wave goes from one medium
into another.
- Identify
and describe the behavior of waves when they hit reflecting or absorbing surfaces
or substances.
- Identify
and describe what happens when two waves collide.
STRUCTURE
Systems
Approach
- Describe
the parts and components of a system and how the parts and components interconnect
and influence each other.
Energy
Transfer and Transformation
- Identify
and explain the processes by which heat is transferred from one object to
another.
- Describe
the role of waves in the transfer of energy.
CHANGES
Nature
of Forces
- Identify
the forces in a system and explain the factors that determine their strength.
- Explain
that any two objects exert a mutual gravitational force and that the force
depends on the mass of the objects and the distance between them.
Forces
to Explain Motion
- Cite
factors that affect the motion of an object.
- Explain
the effects of an unbalanced force on an object moving in a straight line.
- Identify
and describe how unbalanced forces can change the speed or direction of the
orbit of an object.
- Measure
the change in an object's motion due to a change in the force on the object.
- Describe
the affect of gravity on an object's motion.
Physical
Changes
- Describe
physical changes in matter.
EARTH/SPACE
SCIENCE
SYSTEMS
(Content)
PROPERTIES
Nature
and Properties of Earth Materials
- Describe
the properties of igneous rocks.
- Identify
and describe physical properties of volcanic ash.
STRUCTURE
Systems
Approach
- Describe
the parts and components of a system and how the parts and components interconnect
and influence each other.
- Describe
where energy and/or materials are transferred within a system.
Components
of the Solar System
- Compare
the sizes of the planets and distance between them in the solar system.
- Describe
the interactions of the Earth-Moon-Sun system.
- Identify
and describe the interactions of asteroids and comets with other components
of the solar system.
CHANGES
Processes
and Interactions in the Earth System
- Identify
and describe the effects of distance and mass on the strength of the gravitational
forces.
- Identify
and describe the effects of volcanic eruptions on landforms and the atmosphere.
- Identify
and describe how heat flow and movement beneath the Earth's crust causes earthquakes
and volcanoes.
- Describe
the components and relationships of the Earth system: crust, mantle, core,
hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
- Describe
the interactions among the parts of the Earth system, such as the weather
(atmosphere and hydrosphere) and plate tectonics (hydrosphere and lithosphere).
Hydrosphere/Atmosphere
- Compare
weather and climate.
- Describe
the affect of oceans on the temperature of the Earth's surface.
- Identify
the role of heat from the Sun in winds, ocean currents, and the water cycle.
- Identify
and describe how major changes in the Earth system can cause climatic changes.
Interactions
in the Solar System and Beyond (Universe)
- Describe
how the tilt of the Earth causes seasonal changes.
- Identify
and describe why seasonal change differs at different latitudes on the Earth.
- Identify
and describe the location of the Sun, Earth, and Moon during different phases
of the moon.
- Identify
and describe the location of the Sun, Earth, and Moon during lunar or solar
eclipses.
- Identify
and explain the role of moon's gravity on tidal movements.
- Explain
the rotation of the Moon.
- Explain
the role of gravity and inertia in holding planets in orbit.