COURSE TITLE
PHYSICS
CURRICULUM
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This algebra based course includes principles such as mechanics, thermodynamics, vibrations and wave
phenomena, optics, electromagnetism, and atomic physics. The course will build models to describe the universe
based on a small number of fundamental physics principles. Topics covered will include multi-dimensional
motion, forces, work and energy, momentum, gravity, fluid mechanics, heat and thermodynamics, waves, sound,
reflection and refraction, the nature of light, electrical forces and energy, magnetism, and atomic physics.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Design and implement investigations utilizing safe and appropriate skills to explore and to test
a hypothesis.
2. Analyze and interpret data using graphical analysis.
3. Use algebra to determine rates of change.
4. Analyze, identify, and describe various motion situations.
5. Recognize and quantitatively solve interacting vector quantities graphically or analytically.
6. Describe a motion from different frames of reference.
7. Apply Newton's laws of motion to objects responding to applied forces.
8. Use the conservation laws of energy and momentum to predict the outcome of interactions.
9. Analyze energy transfers, transformations, and efficiency in various systems.
10. Investigate and explain electrical charges.
11. Apply relationships for the electric force between electric charges and for the magnetic force on
a moving charge to the appropriate systems.
12. Use electrical diagrams to analyze simple electrical circuits and the function of various circuit
components.
13. Describe and make simple predictions for gravitational, electrical, and magnetic interactions.
14. Use longitudinal and transverse wave models to interpret applicable phenomena.
15. Recognize that on a microscopic length scale many physical quantities are found in tiny fixed
units.
16. Analyze the atom in the way it relates to the study of atomic physics.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
1. What is the nature and scope of physics?
2. How does acceleration relate to falling objects?
3. How are vectors used in physics?
4. How do Newton’s laws relate to motion?
5. What is the relationship between energy and work?
6. How do the laws of physics relate to collisions?
7. What is the nature of gravitation?
8. What is buoyant force?
9. How is thermal equilibrium reached?
10. What is thermodynamics?
11. How does harmonic motion relate to music?
12. What is sound?
13. What are the characteristics of light?
14. What is refraction?
15. How are the wavelengths of light measured?
16. What are the equations for electrical energy?
17. What are schematic diagrams?
18. How does magnetism relate to electricity?
19. How is the atom viewed in physics?
20. What is nuclear energy?
INDIANA STATE STANDARDS
DESIRED RESULTS
Standard 1
Principles of Physics
Students recognize the nature and scope of physics, including its relationship to other sciences and its
ability to describe the natural world. Students learn how physics describes the natural world, using
quantities such as velocity, acceleration, force, energy, momentum, and charge. Through experimentation
and analysis, students develop skills that enable them to understand the physical environment. They learn
to make predictions about natural phenomena by using physical laws to calculate or estimate these
quantities. Students learn that this description of nature can be applied to diverse phenomena at scales
ranging from the subatomic to the structure of the universe and include everyday events. Students learn
how the ideas they study in physics can be used in concert with the ideas of the other sciences. They also
learn how physics can help to promote new technologies. Students will be able to communicate what they
have learned orally, mathematically, using diagrams, and in writing.
Standard 2
Historical Perspectives of Physics
Students gain understanding of how the scientific enterprise operates through examples of historical
events. Through the study of these events, students understand that new ideas are limited by the context in
which they are conceived, are often rejected by the scientific establishment, sometimes spring from
unexpected findings, and grow or transform slowly through the contributions of many different
investigators.
KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS
APPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY
UNITS OF INSTRUCTION (STATE STANDARDS)
The Facts about Matter
The Relationship of Motion and Force
The Nature of Energy
Momentum and Energy
The Laws of Thermodynamics
Behavior of Waves
The Nature of Light
The Relationship of Electricity and Magnetism
The Nature of Atomic and Subatomic Physics
COURSE ASSESSMENTS
Homework – The student is expected to at least try and do the problems. There are sufficient example
problems in the book as well as in class so that the student should be able to do all the assigned problems.
Test – Major tests are given at the end of each chapter. Tests may have a variety of problem types, including
multiple choice, problem solving, and essays. When major tests are missed the students must meet with me the
day they return and either take the test or make arrangements to take it as soon as possible.
Class Participation – Each student is expected to follow directions and put as much effort as possible into their
work during class.
TIMELINE
Semester 1
Grading Period 1
The Science of Physics (2 Weeks)
Lab: Measure Mass, Length, Time, and Other Quantities
Standards: P.1.1, P.1.2, P.1.3, P.1.4
Multi-dimensional Motion (2 Weeks)
Lab: Speed vs. Height of Inclined planes
Standards: P.1.5, P.1.6
Force and the Laws of Motion (2 Week)
Lab: Equilibrium Force
Standards: P.1.7, P.1.8, P.2.1, P.2.2, P.2.5
Work and Energy (1 Week)
Lab: Conservation of Energy
Standards: P.1.11, P.1.12
Momentum and Its Conservation (2 Weeks)
Lab: Inelastic Collisions
Standards: P.1.9, P.1.15, P.1.16
Grading Period 2
Circular Motion and Gravity (1 Week)
Lab: Circular Motion of a Mass
Standards: P.1.8, P.1.10, P.2.3, P.2.7
Simple Machines (2 Weeks)
Lab: Mechanical Advantage of Levers
Standards: P.1.9
Fluid Mechanics (2 Weeks)
Lab: Measure Density
Standard: P.1.2
Heat and Thermodynamics (2 Weeks)
Lab: Specific Heat Capacity
Standard: P.1.13, P.1.27, P.1.28
Vibrations and Waves (2 Weeks)
Lab: Simple Harmonic Motion of a Pendulum
Standard: P.1.11, P.1.22, P.1.23
Semester 2
Grading Period 1
Sound (2 Weeks)
Lab: Resonance
Standards: P.1.23
Light and Reflection (2 Weeks)
Lab: View a Real Image with a Concave Mirror
Standards: P.1.11, P.1.24, P.1.25, P.1.26
Interference and Diffraction (2 Weeks)
Lab: Observe a Diffraction Pattern
Standards: P.1.25, P.1.26
Electric Forces and Fields (2 Weeks)
Lab: Charged Objects
Standards: P.1.11, P.1.14, P.1.17, P.1.18, P.1.19, P.1.20, P.1.21, P.2.4
Electric Energy and Current (1 Weeks)
Lab: Current at Various Resistances
Standards: P.1.10, P.1.14, P.1.19, P.1.21, P.2.4
Grading Period 2
Circuits and Circuit Elements (2 Weeks)
Lab: Analyze Series and Parallel Circuits
Standards: P.1.19
Magnetism (2 Weeks)
Lab: Magnetic Fields
Standards: P.1.20
Electromagnetic Induction (2.5 Weeks)
Lab: Induction with a Permanent Magnet and a Coil
Standards: P.1.21
Atomic and Subatomic Physics (2.5 Weeks)
Lab: Model the Atom
Standard: P.1.29, P.1.30, P.1.31, P.1.32, P.1.33, P.2.6, P.2.8, P.2.9, P.2.10
COURSE MATERIALS: MAJOR TEXTS, PRINCIPAL MATERIALS AND FILMS
KEY TEXTS:
Semester One
Physics: Holt Physics (Holt)
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS:
Semester One
Various Worksheets
Semester Two
Physics: Holt Physics (Holt)
Semester Two
Various Worksheets
* Parents should contact the teacher to discuss concerns with texts. If required, the teacher will provide a substitute text
of comparable length that approximates the stated academic purpose.
COMMERCIAL FILMS/VIDEOS:*
None