Welcome to the Sixth Grade Science Page
Click on Cosmo to see the course syllabus
Click here to find some science extravaganza ideas.
Click here for hints on writing the extravaganza report.
Click here to go to a Bibliography Citation site
The fourth quarter of science class
We have ended our study of matter and are moving on to energy and forces. We have recently learned that energy (ability to do work)can travel in the form of waves. Waves are caused by vibrations. We learned that waves can be mechanical (require a medium) or electromagnetic (no medium required). Mechanical waves can be transverse ( motion of medium moves perependicular to direction of wave) or longitudinal (motion of medium moves parallel to direction of wave). Sound is an example of a longitudinal wave. We used slinkies to visualize what these types of waves look like. Without a medium (solid, liquid or gas), mechanical waves can not travel since it is the motion of the medium that makes the wave. An exploding star in outer space cannot be heard because sound needs a medium to travel and their is no matter in the vacuum of space.
Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium. They can travel through empty space, which is why we can see light from the sun. Electromagnetic waves are essentially light. There is a range of light waves that differ in their wavelength and frequencies. The range is as follows, Radio waves, Infrared, Visible light, Ultraviolet, X-ray, and Gamma rays. Radio waves have a large wavelength and low frequency. Gamma rays have a very short wavelength and a high frequency. The higher the frequency, the more energy the light has. The more energy, the more dangerous. The range of all types of light is known as the electromagnetic spectrum. The light we see is called the visible spectrum and contains the colors of the rainbow..Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Violet.
The third quarter of science class
We are currently focusing on atoms. Students worked on an Element packet while I was out. They found out that atoms are composed of three major subatomic particles called Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons. They learned the mass of each one in Atomic Mass Units, thier charge, and thier location in the atom. We are using this knowledge to help figure out how the Periodic Table is put together.
Click here for the Atom Study Guide
Click here for the Problem and Hypothesis sheet due on Monday, March 3.
Click here for how to write a Problem statement and hypothesis.
Click here for the atom model project.
Click here for the Element Research Project .
Useful sites for Elements
http://periodic.lanl.gov/default.htm
Past Unit
Click here for details about phases and phase changes.
Click here for a study guide for the test.
Click here to see the week ahead
Email me at rsanders@lenoxps.org
