Physical Science: Air Quality

» Coal-Burning Power Plant (animation)

The Big Question: How can you improve—air quality in your community?

Through numerous investigations and case studies (Los Angeles and the Adirondacks), students learn about the nature and composition of air and other matter, states of matter, atomic theory, bonding, the Periodic Table of the Elements, and many other fundamental chemistry topics, as well as sources and effects of pollution. Students apply their knowledge by investigating the air quality in their own community and examining the sources, effects, and potential solutions to the pollution problems that they identify.

 Implements STEM initiative
 Uses the Engineering Design Cycle

• acid-base chemistry
• acid rain
• atom
• atomic mass
• atomic number
• atomic structure
• atomic theory
• bonding buffers
• causes and effects of air pollution
• changes in states of matter
• chemical equations
• chemical reaction
• chemical symbol
• classification of elements (metal, nonmetal, noble gas)
• Clean Air Act
• clean coal technology
• climate
• composition of air
• compound
• conservation of resources
• convection

• density
• element
• Environmental Protection Agency
• evaporation
• gas density modeling
• global climate change
• global warming
• greenhouse effect
• human activity and pollution
• indoor air quality
• law of conservation of mass
• mass
• matter
• metals
• mixture
• molecular formula
• molecules
• movement of molecules
• National Ambient Air Quality Standards
• noble gases

• organisms and the environment
• organic compounds
• ozone
• Periodic Table
• pH scale
• pH indicators
• physical states of matter (solid, liquid, gas)
• pollutants
• pollution
• power-plant operation
• ppm and ppb
• predicting air quality
• properties of metals
• pure substance
• radiation
• separation of a mixture (suspension)
• smog alert
• subatomic particles
• temperature effects on reactions
• thermal energy
• thermal inversion
• volume

• asking questions
• careful observation
• interpreting data
• interpreting maps
• keeping good records
• learning laboratory techniques
• making measurements

• making recommendations
• modeling and simulations
• observation
• planning a procedure
• scientific and technological solutions
• using evidence
• using evidence in explanations
• using scientific tools

21ST CENTURY SKILLS
Collaboration
Communicating plans and ideas Developing explanations
Finding trends in data
Critical thinking including:

• building on the work of others
• collecting, organizing, and analyzing data
• observations and interpretation using science knowledge
• using evidence to support claims