9th Grade Physical Science Students Learn the Basics of Chemistry
The Physical Science students are learning the basic principles of chemistry in the fall semester of school. They are learning of properties of matter and the difference between chemical and physical changes. A major project of this unit is the lab "Identifying White Mystery Powders". Nine common food substances like sugar, salt, cornstarch, and so on are analyzed for eight different properties. Then the students are given three unknown powders, and from their data on the known substances, identify the unknowns.
From properties of matter, the students progress to writing chemical formulas, balancing chemical reactions, identifying patterns of chemical reactions, understanding acid/base chemistry and an introduction to carbon chemistry. Laboratory experience is an integral part of coursework. By mid winter, the students have completed the foundations of chemical principles and then begin their study of basic physics. Ninth grade is an important year in science as it lays the foundation for the advanced courses of biology, chemistry and physics taken as high school courses. Many of the chemical and physical science Minnesota high school graduation standards are met in this course.