HS-PS1-12 | Electron Transfer
Use evidence to illustrate that some chemical reactions involve the transfer of electrons as an energy conversion occurs within a system.
Clarification statement: Evidence could include half-reactions, net ionic equations, and electrochemical cells to illustrate the mechanism of electron transfer.
Assessment boundary: Assessment is limited to completing and/or balancing oxidation and reduction half-reactions. Energy conversions are limited to qualitative statements
Note: this is a NYSED-specific performance expectation that is different from the Next Generation Science Standards.
Assessment
What assessment of HS-PS1-12 might look like on a NY state exam.
| Exam | Cluster | Question |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | Safe Transport of Drinking Water | Question 45 |
| June 2026 | Clock Reaction | Question 31 |
| All About Aluminum | Question 44 | |
| All About Aluminum | Question 45 | |
| Sample clusters (Spring 2025) | Smartphone Chemistry | Question 5 |
Performance Level Descriptions
PLDs communicate the knowledge and skills expected of students to demonstrate proficiency in each Learning Standard. NYS assessments classify student performance into one of five levels.
Vocabulary
Terms from the Chemistry Glossary that come from this standard or from the released exam questions that assess it.
- balancing
- chemical reaction
- claim
- closed system
- component (of a system)
- electrochemical cell
- electron
- electron transfer
- energy
- energy conversion
- evidence
- half-reaction
- matter
- matter flow
- net ionic equation
- oxidation
- oxidation half-reaction
- oxidation-reduction reaction
- power
- qualitative
- reaction
- reasoning
- reduction
- reduction half-reaction
- system
- anode – June 2026, Sample 2025
- cathode – June 2026
- electrode – June 2026
- electrolysis – June 2026
- electrolyte – June 2026
- electrolytic cell – June 2026
- Hall-Heroult process – June 2026
- ion – Aug 2026, June 2026
- lithium ion battery – Sample 2025
- metal – Aug 2026
- molecule – June 2026
- overall reaction – Sample 2025
- oxidation number – June 2026
- oxidation state – Sample 2025
- oxide – June 2026
- product – June 2026
- validity – June 2026
- voltaic cell – implied by "electrochemical cells"
Resources
Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of HS-PS1-12.
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NGSS Dimensions
Performance expectation HS-PS1-12 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:
- Engaging in Argument from Evidence
- Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning behind currently accepted explanations or solutions to determine the merits of arguments.
- PS1.B: Chemical Reactions
- (NYSED) Oxidation-reduction reactions are the prevailing source of power for many of today's modern conveniences.
- Energy and Matter
- The total amount of energy and matter in closed systems is conserved.
- Changes of energy and matter in a system can be described in terms of energy and matter flows into, out of, and within that system