science exam grade 9

• Observations: qualitative and quantitative with examples
• Spheres of the Earth

  • 4 main spheres
  • How the spheres interact with one another
• Ecosystems


  • Biodiversity and importance
  • Impact of reduced biodiversity
  • Equilibrium
  • Succession
• Energy in Ecosystems


  • Photosynthesis
  • Cellular respiration
• Ecosystem


  A community of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment
• Feeding relationships in ecosystems

  • Food chains
  • Food webs
  • Trophic levels
  • Producers
  • Primary/secondary/tertiary consumers
  • Decomposers
  • Autotroph
  • Heterotroph
• Impacts on ecosystems


  • Disease
  • Invasive species
• Sustainability


  • Abiotic vs. biotic factors
  • Abiotic characteristics of an ecosystem (water, oxygen, light, nutrients, soil)
  • Natural vs artificial ecosystems
  • Factors that disrupt ecosystem sustainability
• Biogeochemical cycles


  • Water cycle (evaporation, condensation, precipitation, transpiration)
  • Carbon cycle (organic vs inorganic, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, human impacts, reservoirs)
• Factors Affecting Ecosystems/Populations


  • Human vs natural factors
  • Pesticides (bioaccumulation, bioamplification, effects)
  • Fertilizers (algal bloom, eutrophication, effects)
  • Pollution (types, causes, effects)
• Population dynamics


  • Limiting factors (biotic = competition, predation, symbiosis, commensalism, parasitism)
  • Carrying capacity
  • Fragmentation (edge effect)
• Owl pellets


  Dissected to determine what an owl has been eating
• Classifying Matter


  • Particle theory
  • Pure substances vs mixtures
  • Qualitative vs quantitative
  • Elements
  • Compounds
• Physical & Chemical Properties and Changes

  • Physical properties
  • Chemical properties
  • Physical changes
  • Chemical changes
  • Density (definition, calculations)
• Atomic Structure


  • Theories of the atom (history)
  • Atomic structure/subatomic particles (protons, neutrons, electrons)
  • Valence electrons
  • Orbitals
  • Isotopes
  • Ions
• Representing Elements


  • Bohr-Rutherford diagrams
  • Lewis dot diagrams
  • Standard atomic notation
• The Periodic Table


  • Organization
  • Periods and groups (what they tell us)
  • Reactivity
  • Metals/nonmetals/metalloids
  • Names and locations of elements
  • Names of groups 1, 2, 17, 18
  • Properties of metals, nonmetals, metalloids
• Creating Compounds


  • Counting atoms
  • Ionic bonds and compounds
  • Covalent bonds and molecular compounds
  • Diatomic molecules
• Lab Safety


  • GHS symbols and meaning
• Law of Electric Charges


  How like/opposite charges respond to each other
• Static Electricity


  • What is it?
  • How something becomes charged
  • How atomic structure is related to charges
  • How charges can move (only electrons)
• Electrostatic Series


  • How to use it
  • Weak/strong hold on electrons
• Conductors and insulators


  • Definition and uses
  • Examples
• Methods of Charging


  • Friction
  • Contact
  • Induction
• Electrical Discharge


  Grounding and lightning
• Current Electricity


  What is it? Compare to static electricity, what do we need for current electricity?
• Power Generation Types


  • Solar
  • Wind
  • Nuclear
  • Hydro
• Energy Efficiency


  • Calculating percent efficiency
  • Cost to operate
  • Comparing EnerGuide labels
  • Differences between using large or small appliances, ones that generate heat
• Electric Circuits


  • Circuit diagrams and symbols
  • Closed vs open circuits
  • Series vs parallel circuits
  • Measuring current and potential difference
• Ohm's Law


  • Relationship between resistance, current, and voltage (R = V/I, V = IR, I = V/R)
• Current


  Definition, units, calculations
• Potential Difference (voltage)


  Definition, units, calculations
• Resistance


  Definition, units, factors affecting
• Definitions


  • Astronomy
  • Satellite
  • Galaxy
  • Aurora
  • Comet
  • Milky Way
• The Solar System


  • Names of planets
  • Characteristics/features of planets
  • Major visible constellations
  • Locating stars/north star
• Earth, Sun and Moon


  • Seasons and climate
  • Tides
  • Eclipses
• Stars and The Universe

  • Characteristics of stars
  • Measuring distances
  • Life cycle of stars
  • Origins of the universe
• Invasive Species


  Non-native species that outcompete native species
• Population


  A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area
• Decomposers


  Organisms that break down dead organic matter