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  • Science
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  • Force, motion, and energy

Science.4.8.A

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The student is expected to

investigate and identify the transfer of energy by objects in motion, waves in water, and sound;

A student expectation is directly related to the knowledge and skills statement, is more specific about how students demonstrate their learning, and always begins with a verb. Student expectations are further broken down into their component parts, often referred to as “breakouts.”

  • Overview
  • Alignments
Side-by-Side 

SCIENCE.4.8.A — Vertical Alignment

Vertical alignment shows student expectations in the same subject area at different grade levels that are related to or build upon one another.

S.4.8.A

investigate and identify the transfer of energy by objects in motion, waves in water, and sound;

S.5.8.A
investigate and describe the transformation of energy in systems such as energy in a flashlight battery that changes from chemical energy to electrical energy to light energy;
S.6.8.B
describe how energy is conserved through transfers and transformations in systems such as electrical circuits, food webs, amusement park rides, or photosynthesis; and
S.6.8.C
explain how energy is transferred through transverse and longitudinal waves.
S.7.8.A
investigate methods of thermal energy transfer into and out of systems, including conduction, convection, and radiation;
S.8.8.B
explain the use of electromagnetic waves in applications such as radiation therapy, wireless technologies, fiber optics, microwaves, ultraviolet sterilization, astronomical observations, and X-rays.
IPC.6.C
plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that energy is conserved within a closed system;
IPC.6.D
investigate and demonstrate the movement of thermal energy through solids, liquids, and gases by convection, conduction, and radiation such as weather, living, and mechanical systems;
IPC.6.E
plan and conduct an investigation to evaluate the transfer of energy or information through different materials by different types of waves such as wireless signals, ultraviolet radiation, and microwaves;
PHYS.7.C
apply the concept of conservation of energy using the work-energy theorem, energy diagrams, and energy transformation equations, including transformations between kinetic, potential, and thermal energy;
PHYS.8.A
examine and describe simple harmonic motion such as masses on springs and pendulums and wave energy propagation in various types of media such as surface waves on a body of water and pulses in ropes;
CHEM.13.B
investigate the process of heat transfer using calorimetry;
CHEM.13.D
perform calculations involving heat, mass, temperature change, and specific heat.
ENVIR.5.B
explain the cycling of water, phosphorus, carbon, silicon, and nitrogen through ecosystems, including sinks, and the human interactions that alter these cycles using tools such as models;
EARTH.8.A
evaluate heat transfer through Earth's systems by convection and conduction and include its role in plate tectonics and volcanism;
ENVIR.7.B
relate biogeochemical cycles to the flow of energy in ecosystems, including energy sinks such as oil, natural gas, and coal deposits;
ENVIR.7.C
explain the flow of heat energy in an ecosystem, including conduction, convection, and radiation; and
ENVIR.7.D
identify and describe how energy is used, transformed, and conserved as it flows through ecosystems.
Next grade

Recurring themes and concepts — Connections to the content

Recurring themes and concepts provide a connective structure for scientific ideas across disciplines. The connection(s) below show some ways that teachers can help students understand how the content they are learning fits into the broader understanding of science. These connections do not represent all possible connections that might be made but highlight some that are appropriate for this grade level.
Patterns

Patterns are regular sequences that can be found throughout nature.
 

Waves in water produce visible up and down patterns, and sound waves have patterns of vibration that affect pitch and volume (loudness).
 

Cause-and-effect relationships

Cause-and-effect relationships are relationships between two or more variables or phenomena whereby one variable or event leads to a predictable response. Events have causes—sometimes simple, sometimes multi-faceted.
 

Objects in motion (cause) will transfer energy when they collide (effect) with something. The energy of a moving object is transferred when it makes contact with water (cause), producing waves (effect). When an object vibrates (cause), sound is produced (effect).
 

Flow of energy and cycling of matter through systems

Matter and energy are conserved, changing forms but maintaining quantities. Energy flows within a system or between systems through transfers and transformations. Matter is cycled within systems through physical and chemical processes.
 

Energy is transferred when a moving object collides with another object. If the object collides with water, the energy transferred produces waves which carry that energy. 
 

Stability and change

Stability describes a system that does not change at the observed scale. In a stable system, a small disturbance will die out and the system will return to a stable state. Change in the system can come from modifying a factor or condition.
 

Colliding objects transfer energy causing a change in the motion of both objects.
 

Cross-curricular Connections

The cross-curricular connections are designed to help educators make content connections between the science TEKS and math, English language arts and reading, social studies, and technology applications. The standards below illustrate alignment between grade level content areas which may help educators develop cross-curricular lessons. These connections do not represent all possible connections that might be made.
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English Language Arts and Reading

ELAR.4.1.D work collaboratively with others to develop a plan of shared responsibilities

ELAR.4.6.F make inferences and use evidence to support understanding

ELAR.4.6.G evaluate details read to determine key ideas

ELAR.4.13.A generate questions on a topic for formal and informal inquiry

ELAR.4.13.B develop and follow a research plan with adult assistance

Technology Applications

TA.4.3.A  explain the importance of and demonstrate personal skills and behaviors, including problem solving and questioning, effective communication, following directions, mental agility, and metacognition, that are needed to implement a design process successfully

TA.4.6.A use digital tools to transform and make inferences about data to answer a question

TA.4.7.A use digital tools to communicate results of an inquiry to inform an intended audience

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