Note: Dates are approximate and may be changed in order to accommodate student progress and school-wide activities
1. Math Skills Review
1.1. Essential Questions
1. Why do we use scientific notation?
2. How can units help improve your understanding of physics?
3. What math do you need to know for this class?
4. What is physics?
1.2. Performance Indicators
MAT.1. Read and write numbers using Scientific Notation
MAT.2. Simplify mathematical operations using exponents
MAT.3.
MAT.4.
Use appropriate SI units of measurement to make physical measurements and calculations
Use dimensional analysis to find units for derived quantities and to check for correct units when solving problems
MAT.5.
MAT.6. results
MAT.7.
MAT.8.
MAT.9.
Use algebra to solve equations for unknown variable
Enter Scientific Notation numbers correctly in a calculator and recognize significant digits in the
Convert numbers among scientific prefixes
Use trigonometry to solve for angles or lengths of right triangles
Use a calculator to correctly calculate the values of trig functions for given angles (laws of sines & cosines)
MAT.10. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve for one side of a right triangle, given the other two sides

2. 1-D Mechanics
2.1. Essential Questions
1. Why do cars have crumple zones?
2. Should your car’s gas pedal be called an ‘accelerator’?
3. When is a graph better than a formula to describe motion?
4. How much time should a yellow light be on in a stop light?
2.2. Performance Indicators
1DM.1. Explain the relationship between distance, velocity, acceleration, and time
1DM.2. Construct velocity versus time graphs depicting real motions, and generate the corresponding acceleration versus time graphs and position versus time graphs
1DM.3. Use the kinematics formulas involving distance, displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration to solve 1-D problems involving motion
1DM.4. Explain the difference between average and instantaneous velocity
1DM.5.
1DM.6.
Explain the difference between distance and displacement
Explain the difference between speed and velocity
3.1. Essential Questions
1. How does an aircraft navigator describe a flight plan?
2. Why are some quantities vectors and others not?
3. Where is it appropriate to use vector notation when describing something?
4. When should a skydiver jump from her plane in order to hit her target?
3.2. Performance Indicators
VEC.1. Recognize vector quantities of motion (displacement, velocity, acceleration, force)
VEC.2.
VEC.3.
VEC.4.
VEC.5.
VEC.6.
VEC.7.
Split vector quantities of motion into components and be able to add and subtract them
Determine the equilibrant of a simple combination of vector forces
Convert vectors between Cartesian and polar coordinates
Determine the resultant of a vector multiplied by a scalar
Recognize that vectors can be represented in Cartesian and polar coordinates
Determine the magnitude and direction of the sum of two (right angle – standard) vectors

4.1. Essential Questions
1. Do Newton’s Laws allow for free will?
2. Why is the triangle used in the construction of bridges?
3. Will a bullet shot horizontally and a ball dropped from the same height as the gun really hit the ground at the same time?
4. What is the best jump angle for getting the most air when you are riding or skiing?
5. What factors are important to your ability to stop your car in an emergency?
4.2. Performance Indicators
2DM.1.
2DM.2.
2DM.3.
2DM.4.
Use the concept of free fall to solve simple two-dimensional motion problems
State Newton’s Laws of Motion and apply them to variety of practical situations
Understand the concept of force as a vector and find all the forces acting on a chosen body.
Write and solve Newton’s 2nd Law to describe the motion of a body in one and two dimensions.
5.1. Essential Questions
1. Is there such a thing as a perpetual motion machine?
2. What would hand-tohand combat look like in the Battle Room (Ender’s Game)?
3. Can your body produce enough power to light a 60 W light bulb?
4. What factors go into the design of a roller coaster?
5. Can UFOs really turn at right angles?
5.2. Performance Indicators
WEM.1. Explain the physics definition of work and be able to calculate work done by a force
WEM.2. Define, classify and describe basic forms of energy such as kinetic (mechanical) energy, gravitational potential energy, and work, heat energy, wind energy, atomic and nuclear energy, and geothermal energy
WEM.3. Use the work - kinetic energy theorem to solve dynamics problems
WEM.4. Explain the physics definition of power and be able to compute the power used by a system or a system's power requirements
WEM.5.
WEM.6.
Write and solve the equation of energy conservation for a simple closed system
Write and solve the equations using conservation of linear momentum within a closed system in one and two dimensions.
WEM.7. Explain the relationships among force, time, impulse, and momentum

6.1. Essential Questions
1. Is gravity constant?
2. How do we know the mass of other planets?
3. Is the sun really at the center of our solar system?
6.2. Performance Indicators
G.1. Understand the basic history of models of the Solar System.
G.2.
Use Kepler’s 3rd Law to relate the period of an orbit to its radius.
G.3. State the Universal Law of Gravitation and use it to describe and analyze the gravitational force.
G.4. Show how to find the mass of the Earth using the Moon’s radius and period of orbit.
8.1. Essential Questions
1. How efficient can gasoline engines be?
2. Would Earth be habitable without greenhouse gasses?
3. How much energy from food does your body need in order to maintain its internal temperature?
4. Can a cold swimming pool contain more heat than a cup of steaming coffee?
8.2. Essential Questions
THM.1. Explain that heat is a form of energy which can be transferred into other kinds of energy and how heat flows through convection, conduction, and radiation
THM.2. Know the difference between heat energy and temperature and how to measure them.
THM.3. engines.
Define the terms power and efficiency and be able to compute the real and ideal efficiency of
THM.4. Describe the Carnot cycle on an Pressure-Volume curve and in terms of the First Law of thermodynamics; use a P-V curve to calculate work done
THM.5.
THM.6. problems
Compare the kinetic theory of gases and the ideal gas law.
Demonstrate understanding of the definition, units, and measurement of pressure by working
THM.7. Explain how pressure, volume, and temperature are affected by the First Law of Thermodynamics and the Ideal Gas Law
THM.8. Use the fact that everything emits and absorbs radiation to calculate the temperature of or power emitted by a black body