Middle School Science (0439)

II. Basic Principles

1. Matter and Energy
   1. Demonstrate understanding of the structure and properties of matter
   2. Demonstrate understanding of the factors that influence the occurrence and abundance of the elements
   3. Distinguish between physical and chemical changes of matter
   4. Demonstrate understanding of the conservation of mass/energy
   5. Demonstrate understanding of energy transformations

2. Heat and Thermodynamics
   1. Distinguish between heat and temperature
   2. Demonstrate understanding of measurement, transfer, and effects of thermal energy on matter
   3. Solve quantitative problems dealing with the measurement and transfer of thermal energy
   4. Demonstrate understanding of the First and Second Laws of thermodynamics

3. Atomic and Nuclear Structure
   1. Demonstrate understanding of atomic models and their experimental bases
   2. Demonstrate understanding of atomic and nuclear structure and forces
   3. Relate electron configuration to the chemical and physical properties of an atom
   4. Demonstrate knowledge of characteristics of radio-isotopes and radioactivity (for example, half-life)
   5. Identify products of nuclear reactions