What does a student learn in StateNorth Carolina,GradeGrade 9,SubjectScience?

Analyze the structure of atoms and isotopes.

Understand types, properties, and structure of matter.

Construct an explanation to classify matter as a pure substance or mixture; homogeneous or heterogeneous; element or compound; solution, colloid or suspension.

Use models to explain how the scientific understanding of atomic structure has evolved.

Use models to compare nuclear reactions including alpha decay, beta decay and gamma decay; nuclear fusion and nuclear fission.

Use models to compare the phases of matter and the physical changes they undergo.

Use models to explain how electrons are distributed in atoms.

Carry out investigations to compare physical and chemical properties of matter.

Understand the physical and chemical properties of atoms based on their position in the Periodic Table.

Use models to interpret the data presented in Bohr diagrams and electron dot diagrams for neutral atoms of elements 1 through 18.

Use the Periodic Table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the pattern of valence electrons in the outermost energy levels of atoms.

Use models to compare representations of atoms, ions, and isotopes.

Construct an explanation to infer the atomic size, reactivity, electronegativity, and ionization energy of an element based on its position in the Periodic Table.

Use the Periodic Table as a model to predict the relative properties (metallic/nonmetallic character, ionic charge, and reactivity) and arrangement of elements based on the pattern of valence electrons in the outermost energy levels of atoms.

Understand the bonding that occurs in simple compounds in terms of bond type, strength, and properties.

Analyze interactions of matter within a chemical system.

Construct an explanation to classify the type of chemical bond that occurs (covalent, ionic, or metallic) in a given substance.

Analyze and interpret data to explain the mechanisms and properties of the two main types of intramolecular (ionic and covalent) bonds.

Construct an explanation to summarize the influences intermolecular forces have on the properties of chemical compounds.

Use models to apply International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) conventions to name and write formulas for simple compounds.

Use models to predict chemical names and formulas including ionic (binary & ternary), acidic, and binary covalent compounds.

Use mathematics and computational thinking to execute the balancing of chemical equations to illustrate the Law of Conservation of Mass.

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to classify a chemical reaction as synthesis, decomposition, combustion, single replacement, or double replacement reaction.

Analyze chemical reactions in terms of quantities, product formation, and energy.

Use models to explain the exothermic or endothermic nature of chemical changes.

Construct an explanation to compare the composition and properties of acids and bases.

Use models to explain the interactions of acids and bases in the process of neutralization.

Carry out investigations to predict the outcome of simple chemical reactions that obey the Law of Conservation of Mass.

Use mathematics and computational thinking to analyze quantitatively the composition of a substance (empirical formula, molecular formula, percent composition, and mole conversions).

Understand the role of the nucleus in radiation and radioactivity.

Use mathematics and computational thinking to apply the mole concept in the stoichiometric relationships inherent in chemical reactions.

Use models to compare nuclear reactions including alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay; nuclear fusion and nuclear fission.

Use mathematics and computational thinking to execute simple half-life calculations based on the radioactive decay of unstable nuclei.

Understand the factors affecting rate of reaction and chemical equilibrium.

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to explain the application of nuclear reactions to radioactive dating, medicine, and energy production.

Carry out investigations to explain the effects of temperature, surface area, stirring, the concentration of reactants, and the presence of catalysts on the rate of chemical reactions according to Collision Theory.

Analyze and interpret data to predict how stressors on a reaction (concentration, temperature, pressure) would shift equilibrium.

Understand solutions and the solution process.

Carry out investigations to summarize the factors that affect the formation and properties of solutions.

Use models to explain the quantitative nature of a solution (molarity, dilution, titration).

Carry out investigations to compare properties and behaviors (qualitative and quantitative) of acids and bases.

Explain how Earth's position relative to the sun influences conditions on Earth.

Use models to illustrate the formation of the solar system.

Use mathematics and computational thinking to analyze Earth’s motion through space.

Use models to illustrate how the sun produces energy.

Construct an explanation to infer how incoming solar radiation interacts with Earth systems to support life.

Analyze how the relationship between structure and function supports life processes within organisms.

Construct an explanation to illustrate relationships between structure and function of major macromolecules essential for life.

Carry out investigations to illustrate how enzymes act as catalysts for biochemical reactions and how environmental factors affect enzyme activity.

Use models to explain how the structure of organelles determines its function and supports overall cell processes.

Construct explanations to compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in terms of structures and degree of complexity.

Construct an explanation to summarize how DNA and RNA direct the synthesis of proteins.

Analyze the growth and development processes of organisms.

Use models to illustrate how cellular division results in the reproduction, growth, and repair of organisms.

Construct an explanation to illustrate that proteins regulate gene expression resulting in cellular differentiation, specialized cells with specific functions, and uncontrolled cell growth.

Analyze the relationship between biochemical processes and energy use.

Carry out investigations to explain how homeostasis is maintained through feedback mechanisms.

Use models to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into chemical energy.

Use models to illustrate how cellular respiration [aerobic and anaerobic] transforms chemical energy into ATP.

Analyze the motion of objects using time, distance, displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration.

Use models (graphs, equations, diagrams) to infer motion in one dimension.

Use models (graphs, equations, diagrams) to infer motion in two dimensions.

Analyze systems of forces and their interaction with matter.

Use free body models to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze systems of forces in one dimension and two dimensions.

Carry out investigations to explain the interactions of forces on an object according to Newton’s Laws of Motion.

Use models to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze basic forces related to movement of an object in a circular path (centripetal force).

Use models to qualitatively and quantitatively explain the relationship among the force of gravity, the distance between two objects, and the mass of the objects, according to the Law of Universal Gravitation.

Analyze and interpret data to explain the effect of elastic force on objects (Hooke's Law).

Analyze the motion of objects based on the principles of conservation of momentum and impulse in one dimension.

Use models to analyze inelastic and elastic collisions in terms of the conservation of momentum in one dimension.

Use mathematics and computational thinking to analyze the relationship among impulse, momentum, and Newton's 3rd law.

Explain charge interactions in electrostatic systems and in electric circuits.

Use models to qualitatively and quantitatively explain the fundamental properties and interactions (Coulomb's Law) of charged objects along with the conservation of charge.

Use models to explain the mechanisms for producing electrostatically charged objects, including charging by friction, conduction, and induction.

Use circuit models to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the relationships among current, voltage, resistance, and power in series, parallel, and compound circuits.

Explain the concept of magnetism.

Use models to qualitatively explain the relationship between magnetic domains and magnetism.

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the relationship between magnetism and electric currents to explain the role of magnets in current technology.

Analyze motion in terms of speed, velocity, acceleration, and momentum.

Analyze and interpret data to explain the motion of an object moving with a constant velocity or that is accelerating.

Analyze and interpret data to explain the relationship between impulse and an object's change in momentum.

Understand the relationship between forces and motion.

Use mathematics and computational thinking to compare the weight and mass of an object.

Use models to explain the velocity of an object in freefall.

Construct an explanation to infer the effects of forces (specifically applied force and friction) on objects.

Use models to explain the relationship between an object's motion and the interaction of forces acting on it according to Newton's Three Laws of Motion.

Understand electricity and magnetism and their relationship.

Carry out investigations to explain static and current electricity.

Construct an explanation to compare simple series and parallel circuits in terms of Ohm's Law.

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to explain how current is affected by changes in composition, length, temperature, and diameter of wire.

Use models to explain magnetism in terms of domains, interactions of poles, and magnetic fields.

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to explain the application of electromagnets.

Analyze the relationships between matter and energy within ecosystems.

Use models to illustrate how processes in organisms contribute to the flow of energy and the cycling of matter within an ecosystem.

Use models to explain the relationship between the flow of energy and cycling of matter among organisms in an ecosystem.

Understand ecosystem dynamics, functioning, and resilience.

Use mathematics and computational thinking to explain how interactions between organisms (predator/prey, competition) affect carrying capacity and maintain stability in an ecosystem.

Engage in argument from evidence to evaluate various solutions to reduce the impact of human activities on biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Analyze how the geosphere is shaped by plate tectonics and the rock cycle.

Use models to explain how mantle convection powers plate tectonics.

Analyze and interpret data to predict locations of volcanoes and earthquakes based on plate boundaries.

Use models to explain how plate tectonics influence topography.

Carry out investigations to explain how the rock cycle and rates of weathering, erosion, and soil formation influence Earth’s systems.

Analyze and interpret data to explain how volcanic activity influences changes in Earth's atmosphere, geosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere.

Analyze how the interactions between the hydrosphere and atmosphere transfer energy and influence climate.

Carry out investigations to explain the properties of water.

Use models to explain how water is an agent of energy transfer.

Analyze and interpret data to explain how major greenhouse gases influence climate.

Analyze and interpret data to attribute how atmospheric composition and surface conditions influence heat retention in the troposphere.

Construct an explanation to conclude that heat exchange between the ocean and atmosphere results in local, regional, global weather phenomena, and climate patterns.

Analyze the connections between the biosphere and other Earth systems (geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere).

Use models to explain how abiotic/biotic interactions shape various ecosystems.

Analyze and interpret data to explain how carbon cycling influences various ecosystems.

Analyze and interpret data to explain past climate trends.

Construct an explanation to predict how potential future changes in abiotic factors could impact biodiversity and species distribution.

Obtain, evaluate and communicate information to explain how biodiversity impacts ecosystem resilience.

Understand the relationship among work, energy, and power.

Use models to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the kinetic and potential energy in a system.

Analyze and interpret data to qualitatively and quantitatively explain the relationship among work, power, and energy.

Analyze the behavior of waves and their applications.

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to compare mechanical and electromagnetic waves (specifically light and sound) in terms of wave characteristics (frequency, wavelength, period, amplitude, velocity, and energy).

Use models to qualitatively and quantitatively compare reflection and refraction (Snell's Law).

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to summarize how instruments that transmit and detect waves are used in everyday life.

Understand the relationship among pressure, temperature, volume, and phase.

Use models to explain how changes in energy affect the arrangement and movement of the particles in solids, liquids, and gases, as well as the relative strengths of their intermolecular forces.

Use mathematics and computational thinking to execute simple calorimetric calculations based on the Law of Conservation of Energy.

Use mathematics and computational thinking to explain the relationships among pressure, temperature, volume, and quantity of gas, both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Analyze energy transfers and transformations within a mechanical system.

Use models to explain thermal energy and its transfer.

Use mathematics and computational thinking to explain the Law of Conservation of Energy in a mechanical system in terms of kinetic and potential energy.

Use mathematics and computational thinking to explain work in terms of the relationship among the applied force to an object, the resulting displacement of the object, and the energy transferred to an object.

Construct an explanation to infer the relationship between work and power, both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Understand genetic mechanisms for variation.

Use models to explain how DNA is passed from parents to offspring through the processes of meiosis and fertilization in sexual reproduction.

Construct an explanation to summarize how inheritable genetic variations may result from: new genetic combinations in meiosis,mutations during replication, or mutations caused by environmental factors.

Understand types of inheritance and how the environment can influence traits.

Use mathematics and computational thinking to predict the variation and distribution of expressed traits based on: Mendelian inheritance, co-dominance, incomplete dominance, multiple alleles, and sex-linked inheritance.

Analyze and interpret data to explain how polygenic traits result in a wide range of phenotypes.

Construct an explanation to summarize how traits result from interactions of genetic factors (multiple genes and/or alleles) and environmental factors.

Understand applications of genetics and biotechnology.

Analyze and interpret data to compare DNA samples.

Obtain and communicate information that summarizes the impact of biotechnology applications on the individual, society, and the environment, including agriculture and medicine.

Evaluate how human consumption patterns impact Earth's systems.

Analyze and interpret data to explain the impacts of land use on Earth's systems.

Analyze and interpret data to evaluate how human use of ground and surface waters impacts water quality and availability in river basins, wetlands, estuaries, and aquifers.

Construct an argument to evaluate the ways that human activities influence atmospheric composition.

Construct an argument to evaluate the benefits and trade-offs of using non-renewable or renewable energy sources for electricity production and transportation fuels.

Construct an argument to evaluate potential solutions that will ensure sustainable consumption of Earth's resources.

Construct an argument to evaluate a range of solutions to mitigate impacts of human activities on Earth's systems.

Analyze how Earth's systems impact humans and the biosphere.

Analyze and interpret data to infer how use of natural resources impacts ecosystems and human populations, including human health.

Construct an argument to infer how some natural hazards (such as flooding and wildfires) are increasing in frequency and intensity due to human activities.

Construct an argument to explain how natural hazards and other environmental problems may impact some human populations more than others.

Understand natural selection as a mechanism for biological evolution.

Analyze and interpret data to summarize how various factors such as geographic isolation, pesticide resistance, antibiotic resistance can influence natural selection.

Construct an explanation to illustrate how common ancestry and biological evolution are supported by multiple lines of empirical evidence.

Use models to illustrate the conditions required for natural selection, including the overproduction of offspring, inherited variation, and the struggle to survive.

Construct an explanation to explain how natural selection leads to adaptations within populations.

Analyze evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Construct explanations to illustrate how varying environmental conditions may result in: changes in the number of individuals of a species, the emergence of new species over time, or the extinction of other species.

Use models (including dichotomous keys, scientific nomenclature, cladograms, phylogenetic trees) to identify organisms and exemplify relationships.

Analyze the nature of waves and their applications.

Carry out investigations to explain the quantitative and qualitative relationships among wave frequency, wave velocity, wavelength, and wave energy.

Use models to compare the characteristics of mechanical and electromagnetic waves.

Use models to explain the wave interactions of reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference.

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to explain how instruments that transmit and detect waves are used in everyday life.