NY Science Standards (HS - Structure and Properties of Matter)

Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms. [Clarification Statement: Examples of properties that could be predicted from patterns could include reactivity of metals, types of bonds formed, numbers of bonds formed, and reactions with oxygen.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to main group elements. Assessment does not include quantitative understanding of ionization energy beyond relative trends.]

Plan and conduct an investigation to gather evidence to compare the structure of substances at the bulk scale to infer the strength of electrical forces between particles. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on understanding the strengths of forces between particles in solids, liquids, and gases, not on naming specific intermolecular forces (such as dipole-dipole). Examples of particles could include ions, atoms, molecules, and network solids. Examples of bulk scale properties of substances could include the melting point and boiling point, vapor pressure, and surface tension.]

Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on simple qualitative models, such as pictures or diagrams, and on the scale of energy released in nuclear processes relative to other kinds of transformations.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include quantitative calculation of energy released. Assessment is limited to alpha, beta, positron, and gamma radioactive decays.]

Communicate scientific and technical information about why the particulate-level structure is important in the functioning of designed materials.* [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the attractive and repulsive forces that determine the functioning of the material. Examples could include why electrically conductive materials are often made of metal, flexible but durable materials are made up of long chained molecules, and pharmaceuticals are designed to interact with specific receptors.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to provided particulate structures of specific designed materials.]

Analyze data to support the claim that the combined gas law describes the relationships among volume, pressure, and temperature for a sample of an ideal gas. [Clarification Statement: Real gases may be included at conditions near STP. The relationships of the variables in the combined gas law may be described both qualitatively and quantitatively.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to the relationships among the variables of the combined gas law, not the gas law names, i.e. Boyle's Law.]

Use evidence to support claims regarding the formation, properties and behaviors of solutions at bulk scales. [Clarification Statement: Examples of physical properties could include colligative properties, degree of saturation, physical behavior of solutions, solvation process and conductivity. Examples of solution types could include solid-liquid, liquid-liquid, and gas-liquid solutions. Concentrations can be quantitatively expressed in ppm, molarity, and percent by mass] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment of colligative properties is limited to qualitative statements of boiling point elevation and freezing point depression.]