Students demonstrate an understanding of the composition of physical systems and the concepts and principles that describe and predict physical interations and events in the natural world. This includes demonstrating an understanding of the structure and properties of matter, the properties of materials and objects, chemical reactions and the conservation of matter. In addition, it includes understanding the nature, transfer and conservation of energy, as well as motion and the forces affecting motion, the nature of waves and interactions of matter and energy. Students also demonstate an understanding of the historical perspectives, scientific approaches and emerging scientific issues associated with the physical sciences.

Benchmark A. Relate uses, properties and chemical processes to the behavior and/or arrangement of the small particles that compose matter.
Nature of Matter
1. Explain that equal volumes of different substances usually have different masses.
2. Describe that in a chemical change new substances are formed with different properties than the original substance (e.g., rusting, burning).
3. Describe that in a physical change (e.g., state, shape, size) the chemical properties of a substance remain unchanged.
4. Describe that chemical and physical changes occur all around us (e.g., in the human body, cooking, industry).
Benchmark B. In simple cases, describe the motion of objects and conceptually  describe the effects of forces on an object.
No indicators present for this benchmark.
Benchmark C. Describe renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy (e.g., solar, wind, fossil fuels, biomass, hydroelectricity, geothermal and nuclear energy) and the management of these sources.
Nature of Energy
5. Explain that the energy found in nonrenewable resources such as fossil fuels (e.g., oil, coal, natural gas) originally came from the Sun and may renew slowly over millions of years.
6. Explain that energy derived from renewable resources such as wind and water is assumed to be available indefinitely.
7. Describe how electric energy can be produced from a variety of sources (e.g., Sun, wind, coal).
8. Describe how renewable and nonrenewable energy resources can be managed (e.g., fossil fuels, trees, water).
Benchmark D. Describe that energy takes many forms, some forms represent kinetic energy and some forms represent potential energy; and during energy  transformations the total amount of energy remains constant.
 No indicators present for this benchmark.

Students should recognize that science and technology are interconnected and that using technology involves assessment of the benefits, risks and costs. Students should build scientific and technological knowledge as well as the skills required to design and construct devices. In addition, they should develop the processes to solve problems and understand that problems may be solved in several ways.

Students will develop scientific habits of mind as they use the processes of scientific inquiry to ask valid questions and to gather and analyze information. They will understand how to develop hypotheses and make predictions. They will be able to reflect on scientific practices as they develop plans of action to create and evalutate a variety of conclusions. Students will also demonstrate the ability to communicate their findings to others.

Scientific Ways of Knowing

Students realize that the current body of scientific knowledge must be based on evidence, be predictive, logical, subject to modification, and limited to the natural world. This includes demonstrating an understanding that scientific knowledge grows and advances as new evidence is discovered to support or modify existing theories, as well as to encourage the development of new theories. Students will reflect on ethical scientific practices and demonstrate an understanding of how the current body of scientific knowledge reflects the historical and cultural contributions of women and men who provide us with a more reliable and comprehensive understanding of the natural world.