Science Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools - January 2010
Grade 4 SOL's
Force, Motion, and Energy 4.2
The student will investigate and understand characteristics and interactions of moving objects. Key concepts include:
a) motion is described by an object’s direction and speed;
b) changes in motion are related to force and mass;
c) friction is a force that opposes motion; and
d) moving objects have kinetic energy.
4.3
The student will investigate and understand the characteristics of electricity. Key concepts include
a) conductors and insulators;
b) basic circuits;
c) static electricity;
d) the ability of electrical energy to be transformed into light and motion, and to produce heat;
e) simple electromagnets and magnetism; and
f) historical contributions in understanding electricity.
The student will investigate and understand characteristics and interactions of moving objects. Key concepts include:
a) motion is described by an object’s direction and speed;
b) changes in motion are related to force and mass;
c) friction is a force that opposes motion; and
d) moving objects have kinetic energy.
4.3
The student will investigate and understand the characteristics of electricity. Key concepts include
a) conductors and insulators;
b) basic circuits;
c) static electricity;
d) the ability of electrical energy to be transformed into light and motion, and to produce heat;
e) simple electromagnets and magnetism; and
f) historical contributions in understanding electricity.
Understanding the Standard
· This standard is introduced in first grade and prepares students for a more in-depth study of energy in eighth grade. This standard focuses on the characteristics of moving objects. Key concepts include the effect of forces, such as friction, on moving objects. It is intended that students will actively develop and utilize scientific investigation, reasoning, and logic skills (4.1) in the context of the key concepts presented in this standard.
_The position of an object can be described by locating it relative to another object or to the background.
· Tracing and measuring an object’s position over time can describe its motion.
· Speed describes how fast an object is moving.
· Energy may exist in two states: kinetic or potential.
· Kinetic energy is the energy of motion.
· A force is any push or pull that causes an object to move, stop, or change speed or direction.
· The greater the force, the greater the change in motion will be. The more massive an object, the less effect a given force will have on the object.
· Friction is the resistance to motion created by two objects moving against each other. Friction creates heat.
· Unless acted on by a force, objects in motion tend to stay in motion and objects at rest remain at rest.
· A continuous flow of negative charges (electrons) creates an electric current. The pathway taken by an electric current is a circuit. Closed circuits allow the movement of electrical energy. Open circuits prevent the movement of electrical energy.
· Electrical energy moves through materials that are conductors (metals). Insulators (rubber, plastic, wood) do not conduct electricity well.
· Among conducting materials, the rate at which energy flows depends on the material’s resistance.
· In a series circuit, there is only one pathway for the current, but in a parallel circuit there are two or more pathways for it.
· Rubbing certain materials together creates static electricity.
· Lightning is the discharge of static electricity in the atmosphere.
· Electrical energy can be transformed into light or motion, and can produce thermal energy.
· Certain iron-bearing metals attract other such metals (also nickel and cobalt).
· Lines of force extend from the poles of a magnet in an arched pattern defining the area over which magnetic force is exerted.
· An electric current creates a magnetic field, and a moving magnetic field creates an electric current.
A current flowing through a wire creates a magnetic field. Wrapping a wire around certain iron-bearing metals (iron nail) and creating a closed circuit is an example of a simple electromagnet.
Benjamin Franklin, Michael Faraday, and Thomas Edison made important discoveries about electricity.
_The position of an object can be described by locating it relative to another object or to the background.
· Tracing and measuring an object’s position over time can describe its motion.
· Speed describes how fast an object is moving.
· Energy may exist in two states: kinetic or potential.
· Kinetic energy is the energy of motion.
· A force is any push or pull that causes an object to move, stop, or change speed or direction.
· The greater the force, the greater the change in motion will be. The more massive an object, the less effect a given force will have on the object.
· Friction is the resistance to motion created by two objects moving against each other. Friction creates heat.
· Unless acted on by a force, objects in motion tend to stay in motion and objects at rest remain at rest.
· A continuous flow of negative charges (electrons) creates an electric current. The pathway taken by an electric current is a circuit. Closed circuits allow the movement of electrical energy. Open circuits prevent the movement of electrical energy.
· Electrical energy moves through materials that are conductors (metals). Insulators (rubber, plastic, wood) do not conduct electricity well.
· Among conducting materials, the rate at which energy flows depends on the material’s resistance.
· In a series circuit, there is only one pathway for the current, but in a parallel circuit there are two or more pathways for it.
· Rubbing certain materials together creates static electricity.
· Lightning is the discharge of static electricity in the atmosphere.
· Electrical energy can be transformed into light or motion, and can produce thermal energy.
· Certain iron-bearing metals attract other such metals (also nickel and cobalt).
· Lines of force extend from the poles of a magnet in an arched pattern defining the area over which magnetic force is exerted.
· An electric current creates a magnetic field, and a moving magnetic field creates an electric current.
A current flowing through a wire creates a magnetic field. Wrapping a wire around certain iron-bearing metals (iron nail) and creating a closed circuit is an example of a simple electromagnet.
Benjamin Franklin, Michael Faraday, and Thomas Edison made important discoveries about electricity.