This correlation lists the recommended Gizmos for this province's curriculum standards. Click any Gizmo title below for more information.
PS20-HT: : Heat
PS20-HT1: : Analyze, qualitatively and quantitatively, the effect of heat on matter during temperature changes and changes of state using kinetic molecular theory.
PS20-HT1.c: : Discuss how the concept of a closed system and the law of conservation of energy underlie the study of heat and heat transfer.
Air Track
Adjust the mass and velocity of two gliders on a frictionless air track. Measure the velocity, momentum, and kinetic energy of each glider as they approach each other and collide. Collisions can be elastic or inelastic.
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A falling cylinder is attached to a rotating propeller that stirs and heats the water in a beaker. The mass and height of the cylinder, as well as the quantity and initial temperature of water can be adjusted. The temperature of the water is measured as energy is converted from one form to another.
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PS20-HT1.d: : Measure the specific heat capacity of various metals using a calorimeter.
Calorimetry Lab
Investigate how calorimetry can be used to find relative specific heat values when different substances are mixed with water. Modify initial mass and temperature values to see effects on the system. One or any combination of the substances can be mixed with water. A dynamic graph (temperature vs. time) shows temperatures of the individual substances after mixing.
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PS20-HT1.e: : Determine the latent heat of fusion and/or latent heat of vaporization of various substances using a calorimeter.
Calorimetry Lab
Investigate how calorimetry can be used to find relative specific heat values when different substances are mixed with water. Modify initial mass and temperature values to see effects on the system. One or any combination of the substances can be mixed with water. A dynamic graph (temperature vs. time) shows temperatures of the individual substances after mixing.
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PS20-HT1.f: : Measure some physical properties of water, such as density at various temperatures, specific heat capacity and latent heat of fusion and latent heat of vaporization.
Energy Conversion in a System
A falling cylinder is attached to a rotating propeller that stirs and heats the water in a beaker. The mass and height of the cylinder, as well as the quantity and initial temperature of water can be adjusted. The temperature of the water is measured as energy is converted from one form to another.
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PS20-HT1.k: : Calculate and experimentally verify the amount of heat exchanged and final temperature reached when mixing two known quantities of known substances, and suggest sources of experimental error and improvements to experimental design.
Calorimetry Lab
Investigate how calorimetry can be used to find relative specific heat values when different substances are mixed with water. Modify initial mass and temperature values to see effects on the system. One or any combination of the substances can be mixed with water. A dynamic graph (temperature vs. time) shows temperatures of the individual substances after mixing.
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PS20-HT2: : Determine the quantities of heat involved in chemical reactions through experimentation and calculation.
PS20-HT2.a: : Distinguish between endothermic and exothermic chemical reactions, including those that occur in solutions.
Chemical Changes
Chemical changes result in the formation of new substances. But how can you tell if a chemical change has occurred? Explore this question by observing and measuring a variety of chemical reactions. Along the way you will learn about chemical equations, acids and bases, exothermic and endothermic reactions, and conservation of matter.
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PS20-FC1: : Predict products of the five basic types of chemical reactions and evaluate the impact of these reactions on society and the environment.
PS20-FC1.a: : Observe and analyze synthesis, decomposition, combustion, single-replacement and double-replacement (including acid base neutralization) reactions.
Titration
Measure the quantity of a known solution needed to neutralize an acid or base of unknown concentration. Use this information to calculate the unknown concentration. A variety of indicators can be used to show the pH of the solution.
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PS20-FC1.b: : Represent synthesis, decomposition, combustion, single-replacement and double-replacement (including acid base neutralization) reactions using atomic models, other manipulatives, skeleton equations, balanced chemical equations and International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) nomenclature.
Balancing Chemical Equations
Balance and classify five types of chemical reactions: synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, and combustion. While balancing the reactions, the number of atoms on each side is presented as visual, histogram, and numerical data.
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Practice balancing chemical equations by changing the coefficients of reactants and products. As the equation is manipulated, the amount of each element is shown as individual atoms, histograms, or numerically. Molar masses of reactants and products can also be calculated and balanced to demonstrate conservation of mass.
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PS20-FC1.c: : Explain the importance of skeleton equations, balanced equations and IUPAC nomenclature in communicating understanding of chemical reactions.
Equilibrium and Concentration
Observe how reactants and products interact in reversible reactions. The initial amount of each substance can be manipulated, as well as the pressure on the chamber. The amounts, concentrations, and partial pressures of each reactant and product can be tracked over time as the reaction proceeds toward equilibrium.
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PS20-FC2: : Construct an understanding of the mole as a unit for measuring the amount of substance.
PS20-FC2.c: : Provide examples to demonstrate the size of the Avogadro constant (6.02 x 10^23) in relation to common items such as coins, water drops, sand grains and marbles.
Chemical Equations
Practice balancing chemical equations by changing the coefficients of reactants and products. As the equation is manipulated, the amount of each element is shown as individual atoms, histograms, or numerically. Molar masses of reactants and products can also be calculated and balanced to demonstrate conservation of mass.
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PS20-FC2.g: : Calculate the molar mass of various molecular and ionic compounds.
Chemical Equations
Practice balancing chemical equations by changing the coefficients of reactants and products. As the equation is manipulated, the amount of each element is shown as individual atoms, histograms, or numerically. Molar masses of reactants and products can also be calculated and balanced to demonstrate conservation of mass.
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Solve problems in chemistry using dimensional analysis. Select appropriate tiles so that units in the question are converted into units of the answer. Tiles can be flipped, and answers can be calculated once the appropriate unit conversions have been applied.
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PS20-FC3: : Use stoichiometry to determine the relative amounts of substances consumed and produced in chemical reactions.
PS20-FC3.b: : Determine the relative numbers of moles of each substance in a variety of chemical reactions using balanced chemical equations.
Chemical Equations
Practice balancing chemical equations by changing the coefficients of reactants and products. As the equation is manipulated, the amount of each element is shown as individual atoms, histograms, or numerically. Molar masses of reactants and products can also be calculated and balanced to demonstrate conservation of mass.
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PS20-FC3.c: : Relate the use of the mole to the coefficients in a balanced chemical equation, and compare this to mass and volume as measurable quantities.
Chemical Equations
Practice balancing chemical equations by changing the coefficients of reactants and products. As the equation is manipulated, the amount of each element is shown as individual atoms, histograms, or numerically. Molar masses of reactants and products can also be calculated and balanced to demonstrate conservation of mass.
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PS20-FC3.d: : Perform stoichiometric calculations to predict the outcomes (e.g., concentration, mass, volume, number of particles and energy transferred) of chemical reactions, using the correct units and correct number of significant figures.
Limiting Reactants
Explore the concepts of limiting reactants, excess reactants, and theoretical yield in a chemical reaction. Select one of two different reactions, choose the number of molecules of each reactant, and then observe the products created and the reactants left over.
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Solve problems in chemistry using dimensional analysis. Select appropriate tiles so that units in the question are converted into units of the answer. Tiles can be flipped, and answers can be calculated once the appropriate unit conversions have been applied.
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PS20-FC3.g: : Determine the limiting and excess reagents in a variety of chemical reactions through stoichiometric calculations and experimentation.
Limiting Reactants
Explore the concepts of limiting reactants, excess reactants, and theoretical yield in a chemical reaction. Select one of two different reactions, choose the number of molecules of each reactant, and then observe the products created and the reactants left over.
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Solve problems in chemistry using dimensional analysis. Select appropriate tiles so that units in the question are converted into units of the answer. Tiles can be flipped, and answers can be calculated once the appropriate unit conversions have been applied.
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PS20-FC3.h: : Compare the theoretical and actual yield for a variety of chemical reactions by calculating the percent yield.
Limiting Reactants
Explore the concepts of limiting reactants, excess reactants, and theoretical yield in a chemical reaction. Select one of two different reactions, choose the number of molecules of each reactant, and then observe the products created and the reactants left over.
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PS20-PW1: : Investigate the properties and characteristics of one-, two- and three-dimensional waves in at least three different media (e.g., springs, ropes, air and water).
PS20-PW1.f: : Identify characteristics of transverse and longitudinal waves including crests (positive pulse), troughs (negative pulse), compressions, rarefactions and the relationship between direction of vibration and energy transfer.
Longitudinal Waves
Observe the propagation of longitudinal (compression) waves in a closed or open tube with evenly-spaced dividers. The strength and frequency of the waves can be manipulated, or waves can be observed as individual pulses. Compare the movement of dividers to graphs of displacement, velocity, acceleration and pressure.
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Study wave motion, diffraction, interference, and refraction in a simulated ripple tank. A wide variety of scenarios can be chosen, including barriers with one or two gaps, multiple wave sources, reflecting barriers, or submerged rocks. The wavelength and strength of waves can be adjusted, as well as the amount of damping in the tank.
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PS20-PW1.g: : Describe the characteristics of the transmission of waves, including rectilinear propagation and the nature of the medium and its relationship to the speed of the wave.
Ripple Tank
Study wave motion, diffraction, interference, and refraction in a simulated ripple tank. A wide variety of scenarios can be chosen, including barriers with one or two gaps, multiple wave sources, reflecting barriers, or submerged rocks. The wavelength and strength of waves can be adjusted, as well as the amount of damping in the tank.
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PS20-PW2: : Examine, using physical materials, ray diagrams and mathematical equations, how waves reflect from a variety of barriers.
PS20-PW2.a: : Investigate the behavior of waves as they strike parallel, oblique, and curved barriers.
Ripple Tank
Study wave motion, diffraction, interference, and refraction in a simulated ripple tank. A wide variety of scenarios can be chosen, including barriers with one or two gaps, multiple wave sources, reflecting barriers, or submerged rocks. The wavelength and strength of waves can be adjusted, as well as the amount of damping in the tank.
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PS20-PW2.e: : Investigate image formation in plane, concave and convex mirrors, including constructing ray diagrams.
Ray Tracing (Mirrors)
Observe light rays that reflect from a convex or concave mirror. Manipulate the position of an object and the focal length of the mirror and measure the distance and size of the resulting image.
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PS20-PW2.f: : Identify the properties, including type (real or virtual), attitude/orientation (upright or inverted), magnification (smaller, larger or same size) and position (relative to the mirror surface or vertex), of images formed in plane, concave and convex mirrors.
Ray Tracing (Mirrors)
Observe light rays that reflect from a convex or concave mirror. Manipulate the position of an object and the focal length of the mirror and measure the distance and size of the resulting image.
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PS20-PW2.g: : Apply the laws of reflection, the magnification equation (M = (h sub i)/(h sub o) = (-d sub i)/(d sub o)) and the curved mirror equation (1/f = 1/(d sub o) + 1/(d sub i)) to solve problems related to the reflection of waves.
Ray Tracing (Lenses)
Observe light rays that pass through a convex or concave lens. Manipulate the position of an object and the focal length of the lens and measure the distance and size of the resulting image.
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Observe light rays that reflect from a convex or concave mirror. Manipulate the position of an object and the focal length of the mirror and measure the distance and size of the resulting image.
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PS20-PW3: : Analyze, using physical materials, ray diagrams and mathematical equations, how waves refract at boundaries between different media.
PS20-PW3.c: : Relate refraction, and the refractive index of a medium, to the change in the speed and direction of waves at a boundary between different media.
Basic Prism
Shine white light or a single-color beam through a prism. Explore how a prism refracts light and investigate the factors that affect the amount of refraction. The index of refraction of the prism, width of the prism, prism angle, light angle, and light wavelength can be adjusted.
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Determine the angle of refraction for a light beam moving from one medium to another. The angle of incidence and each index of refraction can be varied. Using the tools provided, the angle of refraction can be measured, and the wavelength and frequency of the waves in each substance can be compared as well.
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Study wave motion, diffraction, interference, and refraction in a simulated ripple tank. A wide variety of scenarios can be chosen, including barriers with one or two gaps, multiple wave sources, reflecting barriers, or submerged rocks. The wavelength and strength of waves can be adjusted, as well as the amount of damping in the tank.
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PS20-PW3.d: : Investigate image formation in converging and diverging lenses, including constructing ray diagrams.
Ray Tracing (Lenses)
Observe light rays that pass through a convex or concave lens. Manipulate the position of an object and the focal length of the lens and measure the distance and size of the resulting image.
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PS20-PW3.e: : Identify the properties, including type (real or virtual), attitude/orientation (upright or inverted), magnification (smaller, larger, or same size) and position (relative to the optical center) of images formed in converging and diverging lenses.
Ray Tracing (Lenses)
Observe light rays that pass through a convex or concave lens. Manipulate the position of an object and the focal length of the lens and measure the distance and size of the resulting image.
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PS20-PW3.f: : Apply Snell’s Law ((n sub 1) sin(theta sub 1) = (n sub 2) sin(theta sub 2)) the magnification equation (M = (h sub i)/(h sub o) = (-d sub i)/(d sub o)) and the lens equation (1/f = 1/(d sub o) + 1/(d sub i)) to solve problems related to the refraction of waves.
Ray Tracing (Lenses)
Observe light rays that pass through a convex or concave lens. Manipulate the position of an object and the focal length of the lens and measure the distance and size of the resulting image.
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Observe light rays that reflect from a convex or concave mirror. Manipulate the position of an object and the focal length of the mirror and measure the distance and size of the resulting image.
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Determine the angle of refraction for a light beam moving from one medium to another. The angle of incidence and each index of refraction can be varied. Using the tools provided, the angle of refraction can be measured, and the wavelength and frequency of the waves in each substance can be compared as well.
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Students assume the role of a scientist trying to solve a real world problem. They use scientific practices to collect and analyze data, and form and test a hypothesis as they solve the problems.
