Physics Curriculum
* Optional Topics, Questions, and Activities
Topics
1. Introduction to Physics
a. Areas of science
b. Areas of physics
c. Scientific method *
d. SI System of Units
e. Graphing
2. Kinematics – 1-dimensional
a. Scalars and Vectors
b. Distance and displacement
c. Speed and velocity
d. Acceleration
e. 7 Kinematics Equations
f. Freefall
3. Kinematics – 2-dimensional
a. Trigonometry and vector algebra
b. Relative motion
c. Projectile motion
4. Newton’s Laws
a. Inertia – 1st law
b. Dynamics of a single particle – 2nd law
c. Friction
d. Ramps *
e. Systems of two or more objects – 3rd law
5. Impulse and Linear Momentum
a. Linear Momentum
b. Impulse
c. Conservation of linear momentum
d. Elastic and inelastic collisions *
6. Energy, Work, and Power
a. Kinetic energy
b. Potential energy
i. Gravitational
ii. Elastic *
c. Conservation of energy
d. Work
e. Power
7. Torque and Equilibrium*
a. Equilibrium of particles*
b. Torque *
c. Equilibrium of rigid bodies *
1
June 2007
d. Moments of inertia and conservation of angular momentum *
8. Uniform circular Motion and Gravity *
9. Bernoulli’s Principle *
10. Vibrations
a. Simple harmonic motion
b. Damped harmonic motion *
c. Dynamics and energy relationships
d. Spring-mass systems
e. Pendulums and other oscillations
f. Natural frequency
11. Waves
a. Properties of traveling waves
b. Properties of standing waves
c. Doppler effect
d. Interference and superposition
12. Sound
13. Physical Optics
a. Diffraction *
b. Dispersion of light and the electromagnetic spectrum
14. Geometric Optics
a. Reflection
b. Refraction
c. Mirrors *
d. Lenses *
15. Electricity *
a. Electrostatics *
b. Electric Circuits *
i. Simple, series and parallel circuits *
ii. Ohm’s Law *
iii. Kirchhoff’s Rules *
Physics Curriculum Notes
•
The state frameworks for physics is intended for 9th and 10th grade classes. This physics
curriculum describes a more rigorous course intended predominantly for juniors and
seniors. Since the frameworks does not apply, a series of Skills and Standards has been
developed to guide the teacher in the development of specific topics and lessons.
•
In the curriculum mapping many of the optional topics appear later in the year. If the
class is running behind the curriculum map, some of the later optional topics can be
omitted in order to complete the required topics in the course of the year.
2
June 2007
Physics Term 1 Curriculum Map
1. Introduction to Physics
a. Sub-topics
i.
Areas of science
ii.
Areas of physics
iii.
Scientific method *
iv.
SI System of Units
v.
Graphing
b. Skills and Standards
i.
Explain how science is divided into different areas, what is studied in each
and how they relate to each other.
ii.
Explain how physics is divided into different areas, what is studied in each
and how they relate to each other.
iii.
Understand the SI System of Units including prefixes and root words, base
and derived units, unit conversions and unit analysis.
iv.
Distinguish between precision and accuracy and demonstrate the ability to
use them appropriately.
v.
Demonstrate the ability to draw and interpret graphs, both by hand and
computer generated.
c. Vocabulary
i.
Mechanics
ii.
Thermodynamics
iii.
Electromagnetism
iv.
Vibrations and Waves
v.
Optics
vi.
Relativity
vii.
Quantum Mechanics
viii.
Base units
ix.
Derived units
x.
Unit analysis
xi.
Precision
xii.
Accuracy
d. Labs and activities
i.
Measurement Lab
ii.
Graphing on Excel
2. Kinematics – 1-dimensional
a. Sub-topics
i.
Scalars and Vectors
ii.
Distance and displacement
iii.
Speed and velocity
iv.
Acceleration
v.
7 Kinematics Equations
vi.
Freefall
3
June 2007
b. Skills and Standards
i.
Distinguish between scalar and vector quantities and demonstrate the
ability to use the directions associated with vectors.
ii.
Understand and demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental mechanics
concepts of distance, displacement, speed, velocity, acceleration and
freefall.
iii.
Perform labs, interpret and report results in a properly formatted report.
c. Vocabulary
i.
Kinematics
ii.
Scalar quantity
iii.
Vector quantity
iv.
Distance
v.
Displacement
vi.
Speed
vii.
Velocity
viii.
Acceleration
ix.
Deceleration
x.
Freefall
d. Labs and activities
i.
Roller Coaster Activity; Finding Average Speed and Velocity
ii.
Ball Race Activities
iii.
Marble Drop lab
iv.
Rocket Launch Activity
3. Kinematics – 2-dimensional
a. Sub-topics
i.
Trigonometry and vector algebra
ii.
Relative motion
iii.
Projectile motion
b. Skills and Standards
i.
Demonstrate the ability to solve 2-dimensional mechanical problems using
the fundamental trigonometric relationships of sine, cosine and tangent.
ii.
Describe the relative motion between objects, both qualitatively and
quantitatively.
iii.
Understand the motion of a projectile and demonstrate the ability to solve
problems involving projectiles.
c. Vocabulary
i.
Sine
ii.
Cosine
iii.
Tangent
iv.
Unit vector
v.
Relative motion
vi.
Projectile motion
d. Labs and activities
i.
Relative Motion Demonstration
ii.
Strobe Photo Projectile Lab
iii.
Marble Launch Lab
4
June 2007
Term 1 Sources of Information by Topic**
TOPIC
HONORS
COLLEGE
PREP
COMPREHENSIVE
Textbook
Physics,
Principles and
Practices, 5th ed.
by Giancoli
1.1 – 1.6
Holt Physics by
Serway, Faughn
Undefined at this
time
2.1 – 2.7
2.1 – 2.3
3.1, 3.4 – 3.8
3.1 – 3.4
Introduction to Physics
Kinematics – 1dimensional
Kinematics – 2dimensional
1.1 – 1.2
**Sections listed are for textbook unless otherwise indicated.
Term 2 Curriculum Map
4. Newton’s Laws
a. Sub-topics
i.
Inertia – 1st law
ii.
Dynamics of a single particle – 2nd law
iii.
Friction
iv.
Ramps *
v.
Systems of two or more objects – 3rd law
b. Skills and Standards
i.
Demonstrate an understanding of Newton’s 1st and 3rd laws and their
applications.
ii.
Demonstrate an understanding of Newton’s 2nd law and the ability to use it
to analyze many different situations, including those involving ramps* and
friction.
c. Vocabulary
i.
Kinetics
ii.
Force
iii.
Surface or contact force
iv.
Field or body force
v.
Net force
vi.
Mass
vii.
Inertia
viii.
Weight
ix.
Normal force
x.
Free body diagram
xi.
Friction
xii.
Static friction
xiii.
Kinetic friction
xiv.
Coefficient of friction
xv.
Newton
5
June 2007
d. Labs and activities
i.
Skateboard Activity
ii.
Newton’s 2nd Law
iii.
Atwood’s Machine
iv.
Determining Factors Affecting Friction Lab
v.
Car and Ramp Lab *
5. Impulse and Linear Momentum
a. Sub-topics
i.
Linear Momentum
ii.
Impulse
iii.
Conservation of linear momentum
iv.
Elastic and inelastic collisions *
b. Skills and Standards
i.
Understand the concepts of linear momentum and impulse and
demonstrate their use in solving problems.
ii.
Use the law of the conservation of momentum to analyze a variety of
applicable situations.
iii.
Compare and contrast elastic, perfectly elastic, and inelastic collisions.*
c. Vocabulary
i.
Linear momentum
ii.
Impulse
iii.
Elastic collision
iv.
Perfectly elastic collision*
v.
Inelastic collision*
vi.
Isolated system*
d. Labs and activities
i.
Dynamics car collision lab
6. Energy, Work, and Power
a. Sub-topics
i.
Kinetic energy
ii.
Potential energy
1. Gravitational
2. Elastic *
iii.
Conservation of energy
iv.
Work
v.
Power
b. Skills and Standards
i.
Distinguish between kinetic, gravitational potential and elastic* potential
energies and use them to solve problems.
ii.
Describe the law of the conservation of energy and apply it to applicable
situations.
iii.
Demonstrate a qualitative and quantitative understanding of work and how
it affects the energy of an object.
iv.
Understand the concept of power and apply it to a variety of situations.
6
June 2007
c. Vocabulary
i.
Energy
ii.
Radiant energy
iii.
Nuclear energy
iv.
Mechanical energy
v.
Joule
vi.
Kinetic energy
vii.
Gravitational potential energy
viii.
Elastic potential energy*
ix.
Work
x.
Power
xi.
Spring constant*
xii.
Watt
d. Labs and activities
i.
Finding spring constant activity *
ii.
Roller coaster lab
Sources of Information by Topic**
TOPIC
HONORS
COLLEGE
PREP
COMPREHENSIVE
Textbook
Physics,
Principles and
Practices, 5th ed.
by Giancoli
4.1 – 4.8
Holt Physics by
Serway, Faughn
Undefined at this
time
7.1 – 7.3
6.1 – 6.3
6.1 – 6.8, 6.10
5.1 – 5.4
Newton’s Laws
Impulse and Linear
Momentum
Energy, Work, and
Power
4.1 – 4.4
**Sections listed are for textbook unless otherwise indicated.
Term 3 Curriculum Map
7. Torque and Equilibrium
a. Sub-topics
i.
Equilibrium of particles*
ii.
Torque *
iii.
Equilibrium of rigid bodies *
iv.
Moments of inertia and conservation of angular momentum *
b. Skills and Standards
i.
Describe torque both qualitatively and quantitatively.
ii.
Demonstrate an understanding of translational and rotational equilibrium
and the ability to apply these concepts to solving problems.
7
June 2007
c. Vocabulary
i.
Rigid body
ii.
Translational motion
iii.
Rotational motion
iv.
Axis of rotation
v.
Torque
vi.
Equilibrium
d. Labs and activities
i.
Equilibrium of particles lab (using spring scales pulling at various angles)
ii.
Equilibrium of rigid bodies lab (using massing hung at various positions on
stick) *
8. Uniform Circular Motion and Gravity
a. Sub-topics
i.
Uniform circular motion*
ii.
Newton’s universal law of gravity*
b. Skills and Standards
i.
Demonstrate knowledge of uniform circular motion and the ability to solve
associated problems.
ii.
Describe Newton’s law of universal gravitation both qualitatively and
quantitatively.
c. Vocabulary
i.
Uniform circular motion
ii.
Centripetal force
iii.
Gravity
d. Labs and activities
i.
No labs or activities defined
9. Bernoulli’s Principle
a. Sub-topics
i.
No sub-topics
b. Skills and Standards
i.
Demonstrate a qualitative understanding of Bernoulli’s Principle and how it
applies to a variety of situations.
c. Vocabulary
i.
pressure
d. Labs and activities
i.
No labs or activities defined
10. Vibrations
a. Sub-topics
i.
Simple harmonic motion
ii.
Damped harmonic motion *
iii.
Dynamics and energy relationships
8
June 2007
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
Spring-mass systems
Pendulums and other oscillations
Natural frequency
Properties of traveling waves
Properties of standing waves
b. Skills and Standards
i.
Describe and give examples of simple and damped harmonic motions,
including their characteristics.
ii.
Describe qualitatively and quantitatively the dynamics and energy
relationships of simple harmonic motion.
iii.
Demonstrate an understanding of spring-mass systems and pendulums
including what affects their motion.
iv.
Demonstrate knowledge of natural frequency and forced vibrations and the
relationship between the two.
v.
Describe transverse and longitudinal waves, their cause and the basic
wave characteristics.
vi.
Describe qualitatively and quantitatively the relationship between velocity,
wavelength and frequency.
vii.
Demonstrate knowledge of standing waves and how their natural
frequencies relate to the fundamental frequency.
viii.
Demonstrate an understanding of wave interference and superposition.
c. Vocabulary
i.
Vibration
ii.
Period
iii.
Frequency
iv.
Amplitude
v.
Equilibrium position
vi.
Simple harmonic motion
vii.
Damped harmonic motion
viii.
Forced vibration
ix.
Natural frequency
x.
Spring-mass system
xi.
Pendulum
xii.
Wave
xiii.
Transverse wave
xiv.
Longitudinal wave
xv.
Crest
xvi.
Trough
xvii.
Wavelength
xviii.
Interference
xix.
Superposition
xx.
Standing wave
xxi.
Node
xxii.
Anti-node
d. Labs and activities
i.
What affects the period of simple harmonic motion?
9
June 2007
11. Waves
a. Sub-topics
i.
Doppler effect
ii.
Interference and superposition
iii.
Sound
b. Skills and Standards
i.
Describe sound waves, their cause, how we hear and how the wave
characteristics relate to our perception of sound.
ii.
Demonstrate knowledge of harmonics including how they relate to
harmony, timbre and the distinction between music and noise.
c. Vocabulary
i.
Reflection
ii.
Refraction
iii.
Diffraction
iv.
Cochlea
v.
Pitch
vi.
Volume
vii.
Timbre
viii.
Infrasonic
ix.
Ultrasonic
x.
Supersonic
xi.
Range of hearing
xii.
Harmonics
xiii.
FFT
d. Labs and activities
i.
Range and Sensitivity of Hearing Activity
ii.
Standing Wave Lab
iii.
Music and Timbre Activity
12. Physical Optics
a. Sub-topics
i.
Diffraction *
ii.
Dispersion of light and the electromagnetic spectrum
b. Skills and Standards
i.
Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of diffraction.*
ii.
Describe electromagnetic waves, where they are able to travel and how
moving through a material affects them.
iii.
Describe the electromagnetic spectrum including frequencies and
wavelengths associated with each section.
iv.
Demonstrate knowledge of light including how we see, the primary colors of
light and the primary pigments and how these relate to each other.
c. Vocabulary
i.
Electromagnetic waves
ii.
Field
iii.
Electromagnetic spectrum
iv.
Radio waves
10
June 2007
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
xi.
xii.
xiii.
xiv.
xv.
xvi.
xvii.
xviii.
xix.
Infrared waves
Visible light
Ultraviolet waves
X-rays
Gamma rays
Cornea
Pupil
Iris
Lens
Retina
Rods
Cones
Optic nerve
Blind spot
Pigment
d. Labs and activities
i.
Color Lab
Sources of Information by Topic**
TOPIC
HONORS
COLLEGE
PREP
COMPREHENSIVE
Textbook
Holt Physics by
Serway, Faughn
Undefined at this
time
Torque and Equilibrium
Physics,
Principles and
Practices, 5th ed.
by Giancoli
8.4, 9.1 – 9.3
8.1 – 8.3
Uniform Circular Motion
5.1 – 5.3
7.1 – 7.3
Newton’s Law of
Universal Gravitation
Bernoulli’s Principle
Vibrations
Waves
5.6 – 5.8
7.3
10.8 – 10.9
11.1 – 11.6
11.7 – 11.8,
11.11 - 11.13,
12.1 – 12.10
22.1, 22.3,
22.5, 22.8
9.3
12.1 – 12.2
12.3 – 12.4,
13.1 – 13.3
Physical Optics
14.1, 15.3,
16.1 – 16.2
**Sections listed are for textbook unless otherwise indicated.
11
June 2007
Term 4 Curriculum Map
13. Geometric Optics
a. Sub-topics
i.
Reflection
ii.
Refraction
iii.
Mirrors *
iv.
Lenses *
b. Skills and Standards
i.
Describe reflection and refraction and the optical illusions associated with
each.
ii.
Demonstrate the ability to analyze waves reflected from plane and spherical
mirrors using both ray diagrams and mirror equations and give examples of
where they may be used.*
iii.
Describe Snell’s Law both qualitatively and quantitatively including critical
angles and total internal reflection and give examples of practical
applications.
iv.
Demonstrate ability to analyze waves refracted through lenses using both
ray diagrams and lens equations.*
c. Vocabulary
i.
Plane mirror
ii.
Concave mirror
iii.
Convex mirror
iv.
Converging mirror
v.
Diverging mirror
vi.
Incident ray
vii.
Refracted ray
viii.
Angle of incidence
ix.
Angle of reflection
x.
Focal point
xi.
Focal length
xii.
Ray diagram
xiii.
Image
xiv.
Real image
xv.
Virtual image
xvi.
Index of refraction
xvii.
Critical angle
xviii.
Total internal reflection
xix.
Biconvex lens
xx.
Biconcave lens
d. Labs and activities
i.
Law of Reflection Lab
ii.
Spherical Mirror Lab *
iii.
Refraction Lab
iv.
Lens Lab *
12
June 2007
14. Electricity
a. Sub-topics
i.
Electrostatics *
ii.
Electric Circuits *
1. Simple, series and parallel circuits *
2. Ohm’s Law *
3. Kirchhoff’s Rules *
b. Skills and Standards
i.
Demonstrate qualitative and quantitative understanding of electrical
charges and the forces between them, including both point charges and
charged parallel plates.
ii.
Describe simple, series, and parallel resistor circuits, their basic
characteristics, and how the characteristics change or remain the same in
the various circuits.
iii.
Demonstrate understanding of Ohm’s law and how it applies to simple,
series, and parallel circuits.
iv.
Demonstrate understanding of Kirchhoff’s Rules and the ability to use them
to solve complex circuits.
c. Vocabulary
i.
Static electricity
ii.
Point charge
iii.
Coulomb
iv.
Circuit
v.
Simple circuit
vi.
Series circuit
vii.
Parallel circuit
viii.
Resistance
ix.
Current
x.
Voltage
xi.
Ohms
xii.
Amps
xiii.
Volts
d. Labs and activities
i.
Simple Circuit Lab *
ii.
Series Circuit Lab *
iii.
Parallel Circuit Lab *
iv.
Kirchhoff’s Rules Lab *
13
June 2007
Sources of Information by Topic**
TOPIC
HONORS
COLLEGE
PREP
COMPREHENSIVE
Textbook
Physics,
Principles and
Practices, 5th ed.
by Giancoli
23.1 – 23.9
Holt Physics by
Serway, Faughn
Undefined at this
time
Geometric Optics
Electricity
16.1 – 16.8,
18.1 – 18.3,
19.1 – 19.4
14.2 – 14.4,
15.1 – 15.3
17.1 – 17.3,
19.1 – 19.3,
20.1 – 20.2
**Sections listed are for textbook unless otherwise indicated.
14
June 2007