During the academic year, students will become actively acquainted with two of the physical sciences: chemistry and physics. Major areas covered by the standards include the particle nature of matter; the organization and use of the periodic table; physical and chemical changes; energy transfer and transformations; properties of longitudinal and transverse waves; electricity and magnetism; and work, force, and motion. Scientific and engineering practices are embedded throughout the year using systematic investigations with a clear focus on variables and repeated trials.