Middle Level Science (Grades 5–8) Subtest 2

Subarea II. Physical Science

0012

Understand linear motion and forces.

analyzing one-dimensional and two-dimensional linear motion (e.g., average speed, direction) using graphs, diagrams, vectors, and simple mathematical relationships
applying Newton's laws to analyze the forces acting on an object represented in free-body vector diagrams, graphs, or descriptions of everyday phenomena
analyzing changes in the kinetic and potential energy of a system (e.g., pendulum, mass on a spring) and the transfer of energy into or out of a system of interacting objects (e.g., loss of heat due to friction)
analyzing the observed motion of an object in a system of interacting objects in terms of balanced and unbalanced forces and the conservation of energy

0013

Understand vibrations, wave motion, and the behavior of light.

analyzing the wavelength, amplitude, period, and frequency of a given oscillating object or wave, including changes in the pitch or intensity of sound waves
analyzing the wave motion of a standing or traveling wave in a given medium
analyzing how sound waves are affected when the source of the sound is in motion
demonstrating knowledge of the chromatic composition of light and how humans perceive an object and its color
analyzing the reflection, refraction, transmission, and absorption of light when it encounters an object, plane or curved mirror, prism, or convex or concave lens
applying the laws of reflection and refraction to explain magnification and the production of virtual and real images in a pinhole system or in a simple system of lenses and mirrors

0014

Understand electricity and magnetism.

demonstrating knowledge of electrostatics and experiments, and measurements that demonstrate the charge of a given object
analyzing experiments and measurements that demonstrate the movement of electrons and changes in the charge of interacting objects
demonstrating knowledge of the properties of magnets, and experiments that demonstrate those properties
analyzing the magnetic field of a straight current-carrying wire and a current-carrying solenoid
recognizing a circuit consisting of batteries, bulbs, and switches that meets a given design criteria for the brightness and control of the bulbs

0015

Understand the properties and structure of matter.

applying knowledge of the properties of matter, including mass, density, volume, concentration, melting and boiling points, and solubility limits of a given substance
recognizing the differences between pure elements, compounds, solutions, suspensions, and colloids
demonstrating knowledge of the processes of distillation, precipitation, extraction, and chromatography
demonstrating knowledge of the basic atomic and subatomic constituents of matter
analyzing the properties of a gas, liquid, or solid in terms of kinetic theory, intermolecular forces, and the arrangement and motion of atoms, ions, or molecules
applying knowledge of the periodic table and the principles for filling the electron orbitals of atoms in order to explain periodic trends in electrical conductivity and ionization energy and the metallic character of a given set of elements
applying knowledge of the periodic table to predict the covalent, ionic, or metallic nature of a bond in a given substance
analyzing the changes in matter and energy that occur in the nuclear processes of radioactive decay, fission, and fusion
applying knowledge of the unique structure of carbon to explain how that structure results in the large variety of organic molecules

0016

Understand chemical reactions, thermodynamics, and chemical kinetics.

demonstrating knowledge of chemical symbols, formulas, and the characteristics of different types of chemical bonds
recognizing the properties of acids and bases
demonstrating knowledge of balancing chemical equations, and the changes in the energy and arrangement of atoms for a given chemical reaction
recognizing different types of chemical reactions (e.g., oxidation-reduction, acid-base, free radical, precipitation)
demonstrating knowledge of the first and second laws of thermodynamics, and the changes in the enthalpy and entropy that occur during a given chemical reaction
demonstrating knowledge of factors (e.g., effective particle collisions, temperature, concentration) that can affect the spontaneity and rate of a given chemical reaction
recognizing how changes in the concentration of reactants and products, the introduction of a catalyst, or changes in temperature or pressure can be used to predict the change in the equilibrium state of a given chemical reaction