7th Grade Science

Physics Unit Objectives

Based on material presented in class, on our class website, and in the textbook, 7th grade
Science students will
(Directions or a worksheet will be provided for each objective)
7.P.1.1: Students know that the motion of an object can be described by its position, direction of motion and speed with
respect to some other object.
7.P.1.3: Students know how to illustrate the motion of an object using a graph to show a change in position over a
period of time. Students will be able to create a data table for distances and times of an object and will then graph the
motion of the object. Students will be able to analyze the graph to describe the change in speed of the object over time
in sentence form.
7.P.1.4: Students know how to interpret distance versus time graphs for constant speed and variable motion. Students
know that a horizontal line on a distance-time graph means that the object is at rest. Students will be able to calculate
the speed of an object by analyzing a distance-time graph.

1 read the Motion Introduction and answer the questions.

2 figure out the math on the Motion Calculations worksheet.
3 complete the Speed Machines activity.
4 complete the Distance-Time Graphs activity.
5 complete the Speed-Time Graphs activity.
6 interpret the graphs on the Interpreting Graphs activity.
7 analyze the graphs on the Analyzing Graphs activity.
8 investigate the CSI Crime Stoppers Lab and answer each question. Criterion C.
9 watch the NASCAR IMAX Experience and answer the questions.
10 compose an argument on the NASCAR Engineering activity. Criterion D.
Lecture on Motion. We will discuss motion of objects, how they can be described by their position, direction
of motion and speed with respect to some other object, how to illustrate the motion of an object using a
graph to show a change in position over a period of time, analyzing the graph to describe the change in
speed of the object over time in sentence form and how to interpret distance versus time graphs for
constant speed and variable motion. - Quiz will follow.
7.P.1.2: Students know that a force is a push or a pull and that forces can influence an objects motion. Students also
know that Unbalanced forces can change the direction and speed of an object in motion. Students know that balanced
forces acting on an object result in a constant motion or an object that is stationary. Students will be able to identify and
explain the variables that act on moving objects, such as gravity and air resistance.

11... read the article Isaac Newton and LeBron James and answer the questions.
12 investigate The Science of NFL Football web quest.

 13 complete the Newtons Laws of Motion activity.

14 create an experiment to test Newtons Laws. Criterion B/C.
15 compose an argument to the Seatbelts and Car Crashes activity. Criterion D.
16 read the article Balanced and Unbalanced Forces.
17 complete the Net Forces activity.
18 complete the Open Investigation: Net Forces. Criterion B/C.
19 try not to fall on the Gravity and Air resistance worksheet.
20 complete the experiment on Guided Investigation: Airplanes. Criterion C.
21 read the article on Friction and answer the questions.
Lecture on Forces. We will discuss that a force is a push or a pull and that forces can influence an objects
motion, unbalanced forces can change the direction and speed of an object in motion, balanced forces
acting on an object result in a constant motion or an object that is stationary, and the variables that act on
moving objects, such as gravity and air resistance. - Quiz will follow.
7.P.2.1: Students will be able to calculate the mechanical energy of a system by observing the potential and kinetic
energy in the system.
7.P.2.2: Students will be able to explain why objects have more potential energy when higher up compared to lower
down and why objects that are moving fast have kinetic energy. Students will be able to use mass, gravity, height and
velocity to explain the transfer of potential and kinetic energy in a system.
7.P.2.3: Students know that if an object does not move a distance, that no work was done. Students will also know the
difference between a series and a parallel circuit.

22 read the article Mechanical Energy and answer the questions.

23 calculate on the Energy Calculations worksheet.
24 complete the experiment on Guided Investigation: Energy Transfer. Criterion C.
25 create an argument on the Written Task: Looney Toons. Criterion D.
26 complete the Mission to Mars experiment.
27 design an experiment based on Open Investigation: Work. Criterion B/C.
28 complete the worksheet Series and Parallel Circuits.
Lecture on Energy Transfer. We will discuss how to calculate the mechanical energy of a system by observing
the potential and kinetic energy in the system. Also, we will discuss how to explain why objects have more
potential energy when higher up compared to lower down and why objects that are moving fast have
kinetic energy, using mass, gravity, height and velocity to explain the transfer of potential and kinetic

energy in a system, and if an object does not move a distance, that no work was done. Students will also
know the difference between a series and a parallel circuit - Quiz will follow.
7.P.2.4: Students will be able to explain how simple machines such as inclined planes, pulleys, levers and wheel and
axels are used to create mechanical advantage and increase efficiency.

29 watch the Simple Machines video and answer the questions.

30 calculate on the Mechanical Advantage worksheet.
31 create an experiment on Open Investigation: Mechanical advantage. Criterion B/C
32 complete the Rube Goldberg Machines worksheet.
Lecture on Simple Machines. We will discuss how simple machines such as inclined planes, pulleys, levers
and wheel and axels are used to create mechanical advantage and increase efficiency - Quiz will follow.