CT Energy Education

¨ Energy enters the Earth system primarily as solar radiation, is captured by materials and photosynthetic processes, and eventually is transformed into heat.

D 1. Describe the effects of adding energy to matter in terms of the motion of atoms and molecules, and the resulting phase changes.

D 2. Explain how energy is transferred by conduction, convection and radiation.

D 3. Describe energy transformations among heat, light, electricity and motion.

Energy Transfer and Transformations – What is the role of energy in our world?

9.2 - The electrical force is a universal force that exists between any two charged objects.

¨ Moving electrical charges produce magnetic forces, and moving magnets can produce electrical force.

¨ Electrical current can be transformed into light through the excitation of electrons.

D 4. Explain the relationship among voltage, current and resistance in a simple series circuit.

D 5. Explain how electricity is used to produce heat and light in incandescent bulbs and heating elements.

D 6. Describe the relationship between current and magnetism.

Science and Technology in Society – How do science and technology affect the quality of our lives?

9.3 - Various sources of energy are used by humans and all have advantages and disadvantages.

¨ During the burning of fossil fuels, stored chemical energy is converted to electrical energy through heat transfer processes.

¨ In nuclear fission, matter is transformed directly into energy in a process that is several million times as energetic as chemical burning.

¨ Alternative energy sources are being explored and used to address the disadvantages of using fossil and nuclear fuels.

D 7. Explain how heat is used to generate electricity.

D 8. Describe the availability, current uses and environmental issues related to the use of fossil and nuclear fuels to produce electricity.

D 9. Describe the availability, current uses and environmental issues related to the use of hydrogen fuel cells, wind and solar energy to produce electricity.

Grade 9

Core Themes, Content Standards and Expected Performances

Strand II: Chemical Structures and Properties

Content Standards

Expected Performances

Properties of Matter – How does the structure of matter affect the properties and uses of materials?

9.4 - Atoms react with one another to form new molecules.

¨ Atoms have a positively charged nucleus surrounded by negatively charged electrons.

¨ The configuration of atoms and molecules determines the properties of the materials.

D 10. Describe the general structure of the atom, and explain how the properties of the first 20 elements in the Periodic Table are related to their atomic structures.

D 11. Describe how atoms combine to form new substances by transferring electrons (ionic bonding) or sharing electrons (covalent bonding).

D 12. Explain the chemical composition of acids and bases, and explain the change of pH in neutralization reactions.

Properties of Matter – How does the structure of matter affect the properties and uses of materials?

9.5 – Due to its unique chemical structure, carbon forms many organic and inorganic compounds.

¨ Carbon atoms can bond to one another in chains, rings and branching networks to form a variety of structures, including fossil fuels, synthetic polymers and the large molecules of life.

D 13. Explain how the structure of the carbon atom affects the type of bonds it forms in organic and inorganic molecules.

D 14. Describe combustion reactions of hydrocarbons and their resulting by-products.

D 15. Explain the general formation and structure of carbon-based polymers, including synthetic polymers, such as polyethylene, and biopolymers, such as carbohydrate.

Science and Technology in Society – How do science and technology affect the quality of our lives?

9.6 - Chemical technologies present both risks and benefits to the health and well-being of humans, plants and animals.

¨ Materials produced from the cracking of petroleum are the starting points for the production of many synthetic compounds.

¨ The products of chemical technologies include synthetic fibers, pharmaceuticals, plastics and fuels.

D 16. Explain how simple chemical monomers can be combined to create linear, branched and/or cross-linked polymers.

D 17. Explain how the chemical structure of polymers affects their physical properties.

D 18. Explain the short- and long-term impacts of landfills and incineration of waste materials on the quality of the environment.

Grade 9

Core Themes, Content Standards and Expected Performances

Strand III: Global Interdependence

Content Standards

Expected Performances

The Changing Earth – How do materials cycle through the Earth’s systems?

9.7 - Elements on Earth move among reservoirs in the solid earth, oceans, atmosphere and organisms as part of biogeochemical cycles.

¨ Elements on Earth exist in essentially fixed amounts and are located in various chemical reservoirs.

¨ The cyclical movement of matter between reservoirs is driven by the Earth’s internal and external sources of energy.

D 19. Explain how chemical and physical processes cause carbon to cycle through the major earth reservoirs.

D 20. Explain how solar energy causes water to cycle through the major earth reservoirs.

D 21. Explain how internal energy of the Earth causes matter to cycle through the magma and the solid earth.

Science and Technology in Society – How do science and technology affect the quality of our lives?

9.8 - The use of resources by human populations may affect the quality of the environment.

¨ Emission of combustion by-products, such as SO₂, CO₂ and NOx by industries and vehicles is a major source of air pollution.

¨ Accumulation of metal and non-metal ions used to increase agricultural productivity is a major source of water pollution.

D 22. Explain how the release of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) into the atmosphere can form acid rain, and how acid rain affects water sources, organisms and human-made structures.

D 23. Explain how the accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere increases Earth’s “greenhouse” effect and may cause climate changes.

D 24. Explain how the accumulation of mercury, phosphates and nitrates affects the quality of water and the organisms that live in rivers, lakes and oceans.

Science and Technology in Society – How do science and technology affect the quality of our lives?

9.9 - Some materials can be recycled, but others accumulate in the environment and may affect the balance of the Earth systems.

¨ New technologies and changes in lifestyle can have positive and/or negative effects on the environment.

D 25. Explain how land development, transportation options and consumption of resources may affect the environment.

D 26. Describe human efforts to reduce the consumption of raw materials and improve air and water quality.