Science (2015) Grade(s): 8

SC15.8.12

Construct an argument from evidence explaining that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other (e.g., interactions of magnets, electrically charged strips of tape, electrically charged pith balls, gravitational pull of the moon creating tides) even when the objects are not in contact.

Unpacked Content

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and Effect

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Two interacting objects can exert forces on each other even though the two interacting objects are not in contact with each other.
  • Fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the two interacting objects are not in contact with each other. The existing fields may be electric, magnetic, or gravitational.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Articulate a statement that relates a given phenomenon to a scientific idea, including the idea that objects can interact at a distance.
  • Identify and use multiple valid and reliable sources of evidence to construct an explanation that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even when the objects are not in contact.
  • Use reasoning to connect the evidence and support an explanation that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even when the objects are not in contact.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even when the objects are not in contact.

Vocabulary

  • Argument
  • Evidence
  • Field
  • Forces
  • Distance
  • Exert
  • Contact
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