Grade 6 Science: Matter and Energy

Matter

The particle model of matter states that heating matter causes particles to move faster and cooling matter causes particles to move slower.
Particles change speed and distance from each other when heated or cooled.
As particles move faster, the attractive forces between them weaken and the space between them increases.
As particles slow down, the attractive forces between them increase and the space between them decreases.
A phase change is a change from one state of matter to another, and during a phase change, the volume of the matter may change but the mass remains constant.
The Celsius scale is based on the changes of state of water and defines 0°C as the melting/freezing point of water and 100°C as the boiling point of water.
Expansion is the typical response materials have to heating, and most matter expands when heated and contracts when cooled.
Water has the unusual property of having greater volume in solid form than in liquid form, and it is less dense in solid form than in liquid form.
The surface of a body of water freezes when the temperature of the water drops below the freezing point, and the frozen surface of a large body of water forms an insulating sheet of ice that protects aquatic life.

Energy

Forces within an object are internal forces, including tension, compression, shear, and torsion.
External forces cause internal forces within an object, and external forces can change the shape, size, or position of objects that interact.
An applied force is exerted on an object by a person or another object, and friction forces oppose the movement of objects when those objects make contact with other objects or surfaces.
Elastic or spring force is exerted on any object that is in contact with a compressed or stretched elastic object or spring.
Plasticity is a property that leads to permanent changes in an object's shape, and elasticity is a property that enables temporary changes in an object's shape.
For every action force, there is an equal and opposite reaction force (Newton's Third Law).
One object experiences an action force while another object experiences a reaction force in an interaction.

Energy Resources

Factors that influence selection of energy resources include availability, accessibility, societal impacts, economic impacts, and environmental impacts.
Responsible management of energy resources includes minimal disruption to nature, restoration of extraction areas, and respect for land and resource rights.
Some energy resources can be used before processing, such as wood and wind, and some energy resources can be used after processing, such as fossil fuels, nuclear, hydro, and biofuel.
Energy resources can be used in daily life in various ways, such as heating and cooling, lighting, cooking, and transportation.

Earth Systems

Earth's systems interact with the Sun and each other to impact climate in various ways, including clouds reflecting sunlight into space and greenhouse gases trapping heat from the Sun.
Complex interactions between humans, Earth's systems, and the Sun can impact climate and climate change.
Human activities, including industrialization and pollution, can cause changes in climate, and the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere contributes to the warming of Earth.
Personal actions that can help address human causes of global climate change include reducing personal consumption and waste, planting a garden or buying local produce, and using clean, affordable, and reliable energy sources responsibly.
Climate change can affect weather and extreme weather events, water resources, migration patterns, and frequency of forest fires.
Climate change can impact agricultural practices, such as crop yield and livestock management, and affect ways of living in northern, Inuit, and/or coastal communities in Canada.### Climate Change
Climate change impacts traditional ways of living off the land, including hunting and gathering practices of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities.
Rising sea levels in coastal areas, changing migration patterns, and access to hunting, harvesting, and fishing are affected.

Crop Production and Pest Management

Crop production is affected by climate change, impacting harvesting periods and yields.
Irrigation practices are also affected by climate change.

Theories of Dinosaur Extinction

Theories about dinosaur extinction include worldwide climate change, a catastrophic meteoric event, or volcanic activity.

Climate Change Observation and Measurement

Climate change can be identified through long-term observation and measurement of environmental conditions, such as precipitation, temperature, and extreme weather events.
Measurement of weather conditions includes sea and ocean levels, permafrost changes, and number of forest fires.

Extreme Weather Events

Extreme weather events include heatwaves, hurricanes, monsoons, tornados, blizzards, torrential rain, and wildfires.
Technologies used to predict extreme weather events include radars, weather satellites, and computer modelling.

Traditional Knowledge and Modern Technologies

Traditional knowledge and modern technologies both provide information on long-term climate changes.
Collaboration between scientists, Elders, and traditional Knowledge Keepers can contribute to a broader awareness of the effects of weather on people and environments.

Ecosystems

Ecosystems are complex systems of biotic and abiotic components.
The components and characteristics of an ecosystem affect the diversity of organisms living in it.

Characteristics of Ecosystems

Characteristics of ecosystems include climate patterns, size, vegetation structure, animal populations, and geographic location.
Ecosystems can be examined using digital or non-digital tools, such as still-image and video cameras and magnifying devices.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is a process that supports growth and survival in ecosystems.
Plants carry out photosynthesis, using light, water, and carbon dioxide to produce oxygen and food in the form of sugar (glucose).

Plants and Ecosystems

Plants play various roles in ecosystems, such as photosynthesizing, reducing soil erosion, and providing food and shelter for animals.
Humans depend on plants to produce oxygen for respiration and for other needs such as food, clothing, paper, building materials, medicine, and fuel.

Space Exploration

The solar system is a complex group of celestial bodies that include the Sun, planets, moons, dwarf planets, asteroids, comets, and meteoroids.
Celestial bodies have characteristics that vary in many ways, including surface conditions, composition, size, shape, and whether they emit or reflect light.

Celestial Bodies

The solar system can be modelled to represent the size of the Sun and the planets and the distance between them.
The reclassification of Pluto as a dwarf planet is an example of how new information can lead to changes in our understanding of the solar system.### Exploring the Solar System
Technologies used to explore the solar system include:
- Telescopes
- Probes
- Manned spacecraft and space stations
- Computer modelling
Satellites are objects in space that orbit around another larger object
An orbit is the recurring path of an object around another object in space
Natural satellites are celestial bodies, while artificial satellites are constructed and put into orbit by humans
The first satellite put into orbit by Alberta (Ex-Alta 1) was designed by a group of students and faculty at the University of Alberta and was successfully launched from the International Space Station in 2017

Computer Science

Abstraction is used in design and coding of computational artifacts to make problems easier to think about
The process of abstraction includes determining what details to keep and what to ignore, and removing unnecessary details
Abstraction is used to simplify complex information
Computational artifacts can be designed to address societal needs and wants, such as:
- Weather modelling
- Communications
- Automotive controls
- Medical research
- Apps
Structures used in coding include:
- Sequences
- Conditionals (if-then-else statements)
- Loops
The use of computers, coding, and technology can have both positive and negative impacts on personal, social, economic, and environmental aspects

Scientific Methods

Scientific explanations make sense of natural phenomena based on an investigation
Explanations are used in science to answer scientific questions
Hypotheses are proposed scientific explanations developed prior to conducting an investigation
Hypotheses are based on prior scientific knowledge and understandings
Evidence is used to support or contradict a hypothesis
Scientific explanations are constructed using reliable, objective data and evidence
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit share explanations of natural phenomena through traditional knowledge, written texts, and verbal presentations

Communicating Scientific Explanations

Scientific explanations can be communicated in different ways depending on the audience
The needs of the audience influence how science is communicated, such as vocabulary used, level of detail, and method of communication
Explanations of natural phenomena can be refined as new evidence is revealed

Validating Evidence and Explanations

Evidence and scientific explanations are subject to further investigation to determine their validity
Further investigation can involve a variety of processes, such as:
- Continual collection of evidence over time
- Discussion and debate in the scientific community
- Conducting multiple investigations over long periods of time
- Using new technologies and methods that reveal new evidence
One conflicting study is not enough to cause a scientific explanation to be refined