SAMPLE SURVEY TO SOLICIT STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK
(Developed by Rick Robinett)
Dear Colleague,
As part of The Governor’s Commission for College and Career Success, a Science
Benchmarks committee has been formed to generate a set of benchmarks in the Sciences
(Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences, etc.) which are similar in scope to ones already proposed for
Mathematics and English. Students graduating from a Pennsylvania high school in these fields
would be expected to have mastered the topics listed in these benchmarks.
As a member of the committee who’s helped to draft the preliminary Physics benchmarks
you’ll find below, we would very much appreciate your comments. We’ve included the
benchmarks (in the left-hand column) where you’ll find a number of general areas, and more
specific topics. Some are marked by asterisks and the use of that notation is described at the top
of benchmarks (which start on the next page.) In the right-hand column, we’ve indicated a 1-5
scale and would appreciate your opinions on the relative importance of each general area and
topic.
Please feel free to make comments (general or specific) as well, and there is an area at the end
of the benchmarks set aside for that. Thanks very much for your time in this effort.
Rick Robinett
rick@phys.psu.edu
(814) 863-0965
303J Osmond Lab
Department of Physics
Penn State University
University Park, PA 16802
1
PA Benchmarks: Physics (Jan. 16, 2007)
Certain Physics benchmarks are marked with
an asterisk (*). These asterisked benchmarks
represent content that is recommended for all
students, but is required for those students who
plan to continue with Physics coursework at the
college level and for many physics intensive
STEM-related majors or careers
Using the scale on the right, please
indicate how important you think that
the given ‘benchmark’ topic. Consider
1 as being VERY IMPORTANT and 5
being NOT VERY IMPORTANT. If
you’re completing electronically, you
can simply type an X over the
appropriate numerical value.
A. Motion and forces
A1. Understand that motion can be
described and analyzed conceptually and
quantitatively.
Important
A1.1. Be able to describe the difference
between scalar and vector quantities and cite
examples.
Important
A1.2. Be able to compare and contrast
the vector quantities (such as displacement,
velocity, acceleration, force, linear momentum)
and scalar quantities (distance, speed, energy,
mass, work) that are used to describe
kinematics (the science of motion).
Important
1
1
1
Not important
2
Important
*A1.5. Be able to analyze onedimensional motion using the description of
position, velocity, and acceleration as functions
of time, using algebraic descriptions for simple
Important
1
1
2
4
5
Not important
2
3
4
5
Not important
2
A1.3. Demonstrate a conceptual
Important
understanding of a reference frame by
explaining why one is needed when describing
1
2
motion, and by using reference frames to
explain and represent the relative motion of two
objects.
A1.4. Demonstrate a conceptual
understanding of average velocity, average
speed and average acceleration during intervals
of time by determining these quantities using
tables and/or graphs of data representing
position versus time and velocity versus time.
3
3
4
5
Not important
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4
5
Not important
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3
4
5
Not important
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3
4
5
motions (uniform velocity or uniform
acceleration).
A1.6. Be able to convert between the
different sets of units (MKS, English, etc.)
often used in kinematics and dynamics.
Important
A1.7. Be able to use dimensional
analysis to predict the results of simple
problems and check the results of more
challenging ones.
Important
A2. Understand that Newton's laws of
motion describe and predict the motion of
macroscopic objects, and be able to interpret
and apply Newton’s three laws of motion.
Important
1
1
1
Not important
2
Important
A2.3. Be able to describe the concept of
mass as inertia, i.e., as a measure of resistance
to change in motion by an applied force.
Important
A2.4. Be able to represent forces acting
on a system of objects utilizing free-body
diagrams.
Important
*A2.5. Be able to use Newton's Laws to
solve problems in static equilibrium, and
situations that yield constant acceleration.
Important
A2.6. Be able to apply Newton’s laws to
free fall and projectile motion.
Important
1
1
1
1
1
A2.7. Be able to describe motion in 2-D
and 3-D as the net motion due to independent
Important
3
4
5
Not important
2
3
4
5
Not important
2
A2.1. Be able to add and subtract vectors Important
graphically and algebraically in one or more
dimensions.
1
2
A2.2. Demonstrate understanding that a
net force is required to alter an object’s motion
by describing how the magnitude of the object's
acceleration is proportional to the magnitude of
the total applied force and the direction of
acceleration that of the total applied force.
3
3
4
5
Not important
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4
5
Not important
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3
4
5
Not important
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3
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5
Not important
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3
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5
Not important
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3
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5
Not important
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3
4
5
Not important
motions in a rectangular coordinate system.
1
A2.8. Demonstrate conceptual
understanding of the motion of an object
undergoing circular motion at constant speed
by describing the acceleration it undergoes, and
the forces that produce that acceleration.
Important
A2.9. Describe the nature of static and
kinetic friction, and describe their effects on
motion.
Important
A2.10. Describe Newton's law of
universal gravitation in terms of the attraction
between two objects, their masses, and the
distance between them.
Important
*A2.11. Be able to apply principles of
rotational motion to solve problems relating to
angular momentum and torque.
Important
1
1
1
1
4
2
3
4
5
Not important
2
3
4
5
Not important
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3
4
5
Not important
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3
4
5
Not important
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3
4
5
B. Conservation of energy and momentum
B1. Understand that the law of
conservation of energy provides an alternate
approach that can be used to predict and
describe the motion of objects.
Important
B1.1. Be able to explain work as being
due to the action of a force on an object
undergoing a displacement.
Important
B1.2. Using appropriate examples, be
able to describe how energy can be converted
from gravitational potential energy to kinetic
energy and vice versa.
Important
B1.3. Demonstrate an understanding of
the law of conservation of energy in mechanical
systems by using this law to solve for kinematic
variables in appropriate problem situations.
Important
B1.4. Be able to describe both
qualitatively and quantitatively how work can
be expressed as a change in mechanical energy.
Important
B1.5. Be able to describe both
qualitatively and quantitatively the concept of
power as work done per unit time.
Important
B2. Understand that the law of
conservation of momentum provides a
complementary approach to law of
conservation of energy to predict and
describe the motion of objects.
Important
B2.1. Be able to describe linear
momentum as the product of mass and velocity
and understand the relationship between the
momentum change of an object and the forces
acting on it.
Important
B2.2. Demonstrate an understanding of
the conditions under which momentum is
conserved by applying momentum conservation
methods in appropriate situations (e.g. those
Important
1
1
1
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1
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1
1
5
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3
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involving collisions).
B2.3. Demonstrate a conceptual
understanding of the difference between the
laws of conservation of momentum and
conservation of energy by describing the
conditions under which one law or the other, or
both, apply.
Important
1
6
Not important
2
3
4
5
C. Heat and heat transfer
C1. Understand that heat is energy that is
transferred between objects or regions that
are at different temperatures, by the
processes of convection, conduction, and
radiation.
Important
C1.1. Explain qualitatively how heat
energy is transferred by the processes of
convection, conduction, and radiation.
Important
C1.2. Explain how heat energy will move
from an object at higher temperature to one at
lower temperature until equilibrium is reached.
Apply these concepts to understand everyday
phenomena or technological applications, such
as how a thermos bottle or insulation works.
Important
C2. Understand the concept of energy
conservation (First Law of Thermodynamics)
and use it to relate various forms of energy.
Important
C2.1. Describe the relationship between
average molecular kinetic energy and
temperature. Understand that heat energy
consists of the random motion and vibrations of
atoms, molecules, and ions.
Important
1
1
1
1
1
Not important
2
Important
C2.4. Describe the various sources of
energy used in society.
Important
1
1
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5
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3
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5
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3
4
5
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3
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5
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2
C2.2. Explain the relationships between
Important
the temperature change in a substance for a given
amount of heat transferred, the amount (mass) of
1
2
the substance, and the specific heat.
C2.3. Describe the difference between
energy and power. Be able to convert between
the many units used to describe both energy and
power. Use such conversions to discuss the
amount of energy (in various forms) contained in
disparate systems.
3
3
4
5
Not important
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4
5
Not important
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3
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5
Not important
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3
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5
*C2.5. Demonstrate a qualitative
understanding of the Second Law of
Thermodynamics by describing the Law and the
limits it places on the efficiency of devices such
as refrigerators and engines.
8
Important
1
Not important
2
3
4
5
D. Waves
D1. Understand that waves carry energy
from place to place without the transfer of
matter.
Important
D1.1. Describe the properties of simple
harmonic motion of an object from a basic
mechanics viewpoint, and how the period,
frequency, and amplitude of motion are
determined by the conditions and material
properties of the object.
Important
1
1
Not important
2
Important
D1.4. Describe the differences between
transverse and longitudinal waves in
mechanical systems and cite examples.
Important
D1.5. Recognize the effects of media on
the speed of a mechanical wave by qualitatively
comparing the speeds of such waves in solids,
liquids, and gases.
Important
D1.6. Describe the differences between
mechanical waves (especially sound) and
electromagnetic waves, especially their
propagation speeds.
Important
D1.7. Demonstrate an understanding of
the basic interactions of waves with matter by
describing reflection and refraction.
Important
D1.8. Explain how changes in the
wavelength and frequency of waves as they
pass through media affect the propagation of
the waves.
Important
1
1
1
1
1
1
9
4
5
Not important
2
D1.2. Describe the measurable properties Important
of waves (speed, frequency, wavelength,
amplitude, and period) and explain the
1
2
relationships among them.
D1.3. Describe the differences between
standing and traveling waves in mechanical
systems and cite examples.
3
3
4
5
Not important
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4
5
Not important
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3
4
5
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3
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5
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3
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5
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3
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5
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3
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3
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5
D1.9. Describe the apparent change in
frequency of waves due to the motion of a
source or observer (the Doppler effect) and cite
examples from everyday life or use in
technological applications, such as radar guns.
Important
D1.10. Be able to apply wave concepts
to understand everyday phenomena or
technological applications, such as ultrasound
and sonar.
Important
1
1
10
Not important
2
3
4
5
Not important
2
3
4
5
E. Electromagnetism
E1. Understand that stationary and
moving charged particles give rise to
electrical and magnetic phenomena.
Important
E1.1. Be able to describe the attractive
and repulsive electrostatic forces between
objects in terms of their charges and the
distances between them, as described by
Coulomb’s law.
Important
E1.2. Be able to compare and contrast the
forms of Newton’s law of gravity (between two
masses) and Coulomb’s law (between two
charges) in terms of their functional form
(inverse square laws) and magnitudes. Be able to
explain that gravitational forces play a more
important role in macroscopic systems than
electrical forces due to the overall charge
neutrality of matter.
Important
E1.3. Demonstrate a conceptual
understanding of the differences between
insulators and conductors by explaining how
electric charge tends to be static on insulators
and can move on the surface of, and inside,
conductors.
Important
E1.4. Be able to explain that energy can
produce a separation of charges, with a
subsequent change in electrostatic potential
energy. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding
of electric potential (voltage) as a potential
energy per unit of charge.
Important
E1.5. Explain how electric current is a
flow of charge caused by a difference in electric
potential (voltage) and that power dissipation is
given by the product of current and voltage.
Important
E1.6. Be able to describe a qualitative and
quantitative understanding of current, voltage,
resistance and the connection between them, as
described by Ohm's law.
Important
1
1
1
1
11
1
1
1
Not important
2
3
4
5
Not important
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3
4
5
Not important
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3
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5
Not important
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3
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5
Not important
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3
4
5
Not important
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3
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3
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5
E1.7. Be able to recognize circuit symbols Important
and the common circuit elements (battery, wires,
resistance) in a schematic diagram.
1
2
E1.8. Be able to predict qualitatively how Important
different combinations of components such as
batteries, light bulbs, and switches will behave in
1
2
series and parallel configurations.
*E1.9. Be able to analyze simple
arrangements of electrical components, in both
series and parallel configurations.
Important
E1.10. Apply concepts related to
electricity and circuits to understand everyday
phenomena or technological applications, such
as batteries, household circuitry, and power
grids.
Important
*E1.11. Recognize that moving electric
charges create (and experience) magnetic forces
and moving magnets produce electric forces.
Recognize that the interplay of electric and
magnetic forces form the basis for the operation
of electric motors, generators, and other
technologies.
Important
1
1
12
1
Not important
3
4
5
Not important
3
4
5
Not important
2
3
4
5
Not important
2
3
4
5
Not important
2
3
4
5
F. Electromagnetic radiation
F1. Understand concepts dealing with
electromagnetic waves
Important
1
F1.1. Recognize that electromagnetic
waves are transverse waves and travel at the
speed of light (in vacuum).
Important
F1.2. Describe the electromagnetic
spectrum in terms of frequency and wavelength,
and identify the location of radio waves,
microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light
(rainbow spectrum), ultraviolet rays, x-rays, and
gamma rays.
Important
F1.3 Apply concepts of electromagnetic
waves to understand everyday phenomena or
technological applications, such as radio,
microwave, and X-ray devices.
Important
F2. Understand the physics underlying the
use of optical instruments.
Important
1
1
1
1
F2.1. Using diagrams, describe the
refraction and reflection of electromagnetic
waves (especially light) from matter leading to
real and virtual image formation from simple
mirrors and lenses.
Important
*F2.2. Demonstrate an understanding of
how refraction and reflection effects are used in
the design and performance of optical
instruments by solving basic geometric optics
problems consisting of mirrors, microscopes,
telescopes, etc..
Important
1
General Comments:
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