PLEASANT VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
PLANNED COURSE CURRICULUM GUIDE
PHYSICS - Applied
Grade 11-12
I.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND INTENT:
The applied physics course is a practical laboratory based course that teaches
traditional physics concepts in the areas of mechanics, properties of matter, heat,
sound, light, electricity, and magnetism. The course will include hands on
activities such as mousetrap powered devices and electrical circuitry. Due to the
emphasis on quantitative study, students should have successfully completed
algebra I in order to elect this course.
II.
INSTRUCTIONAL TIME:
Class Periods: 6 per 6-day cycle
Length of Class Periods (minutes): 56
Length of Course: Half (1/2) Year
Unit of Credit: 0.50
Updated: June 2014
COURSE: Applied Physics
STRAND: Kinematics
GRADE(S): 11-12
TIME FRAME: One (1) Year
PA ACADEMIC STANDARDS
3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.7, 3.8
ASSESSMENT ANCHORS
RESOURCES
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College Physics Text
Overhead projections
VCR, TV, overhead projector, demonstration and laboratory equipment.
Computers with universal lab interfaces, sensors, and Logger Pro software
Graphical Analysis software
Interactive Physics software
World in Motion software
Computer lab with  24 computers
Teacher generated worksheets, labs, tables of data, and equation sheet.
Reference physics texts and laboratory manuals for computer based labs.
OBJECTIVES
The learner will define and analyze both uniform and accelerated linear motion.
The learner will define and analyze projectile motion as well as calculate velocities of
objects with respect to moving frames of reference.
ESSENTIAL CONTENT
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Distinguish between linear, rotational, constant velocity and accelerated motion.
Define relative motion, position, distance, displacement, speed, average speed and ,
average velocity
Determine position, speed, velocity, distance, displacement, and direction from a
position/time graph.
Define acceleration.
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Determine speed, velocity, distance, displacement, direction and acceleration from a
velocity/time graph.
Calculate the final velocity of a falling object given the height from which it fell.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
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Describe the motion of a toy tractor.
Measure the position and time of a person walking and graph the motion.
Construct a position vs. time graph.
Construct a velocity vs. time graph.
Interpret graphs of motion.
Replicate a graph on the computer screen by physically moving in front of a motion
detector.
Summarize the main points of a video on free fall.
Read Galileo’s original description of his inclined plane experiment.
Reproduce Galileo’s experiment on acceleration down an inclined plane using the
computer and a motion detector.
Experimentally determine the acceleration due to gravity.
Work with computer simulations on linear motion.
Investigate uniform and accelerated motion of real objects using digitized video clips
on the computer.
Solve textbook and worksheet problems on uniform and accelerated linear motion.
Pose conceptual questions
Lead discussions, ask relevant and clarifying questions, and allow students to respond
with relevant information.
Define scalars and vectors
Calculate graphically the sum or difference of any two given vectors, giving both
magnitude and direction of the resultant vector.
Resolve any given vector (e.g. force, displacement, velocity, acceleration) into
perpendicular components.
Calculate the sum or difference of any two given vectors by the method of resolution
into components.
Demonstrate mathematical solutions to problems in projectile motion.
Demonstrate appropriate use of vectors and vector operations to solve real world
applications.
Calculate the resultant velocity of a projectile from knowledge of its horizontal and
vertical motions.
ASSESSMENTS
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Teacher designed test and quizzes with multiple choice, short answer, and word
problems
Teacher designed worksheets
Homework checked for completion
Lab performance and reports graded for cooperative learning, manipulation,
observation, interpretation, and presentation
Computer simulations with worksheets that require reading and computations
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Teacher observations
Portfolio
CORRECTIVES/EXTENSIONS
Correctives:
 Reduced analysis during lab work
 After school tutorial with instructor or peer
 Additional text (Conceptual Physics)
 Additional worksheet with level 1 type problems
Extensions:
 A more challenging problem that could be demonstrated for the class
 Exploratory questions that probe beyond the standard laboratory work to examine
the concept in more depth
 Instruct class on a physics concept
COURSE: Applied Physics
STRAND: Mechanics
GRADE(S): 11-12
TIME FRAME: One (1) Year
PA ACADEMIC STANDARDS
3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.7
ASSESSMENT ANCHORS
RESOURCES
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
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





College Physics Text
Overhead projections
VCR, TV, overhead projector, demonstration and laboratory equipment.
Computers with universal lab interfaces, sensors, and Logger Pro software
Graphical Analysis software
Interactive Physics software
World in Motion software
Computer lab with  24 computers
Teacher generated worksheets, labs, tables of data, and equation sheet.
Reference physics texts and laboratory manuals for computer based labs.
OBJECTIVES
The learner will state Newton's three laws of motion and provide solutions to problems
involving the forces that cause motion.
The learner will describe the relationship between work and energy and solve problems
using energy equations.
The learner will state the conservation momentum and analyze linear and twodimensional collisions between objects.
ESSENTIAL CONTENT
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Write a qualitative definition of force in terms of the acceleration of a material body
Write a complete statement of Newton's first law of motion.
Define mass and inertia.
Write a complete statement of Newton's second law of motion.
State the units of force and mass in the SI and FPS system.
Calculate the weight of a body whose mass is given and vice versa.
Write a complete statement of Newton's third law of motion.
Calculate the tension in a cord connecting two parts of a system.
State correctly the relationship between a frictional force and the normal force.
Calculate the force of static friction between two objects in contact
Calculate the force of sliding friction
Calculate the acceleration of an object on an inclined plane given the degree of pitch
and the frictional co-efficient.
 Define work, kinetic energy, the work-energy theorem, and gravitational potential
energy.
 Name the two types of mechanical energy, associating one with the relative position
of parts of a system and the other with the relative motion.
 Calculate the work done by a constant force when the force and displacement make
an arbitrary angle with each other.
 Calculate potential energy, difference in potential energy, and change in potential
energy.
 Write a general statement of the law of conservation of energy.
 Apply the conservation of mechanical energy principle to solve problems in
mechanics.
 Write the definition of power in words and in symbols.
 Use the definition to calculate power in simple cases.
 Measure and calculate the work a student can perform and the power output of that
student.
 Write the definition of linear momentum in words and symbols.
 Write Newton's law in terms of momentum.
 State the law of conservation of momentum.
 Describe elastic and inelastic collisions in terms of momentum and kinetic energy.
 Solve one and two-dimensional problems involving elastic and inelastic collisions.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
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Read the original statement of Newton’s three laws of motion.
Summarize the main points of a video on Newton’s three laws.
Calculate the tension in two cords that support a hanging mass.
Calculate the force needed to keep an object at equilibrium on an inclined plane.
Experimentally verify Newton’s second law.
Experimentally determine the static and kinetic frictional force between to objects
and calculate the coefficients of friction.
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Experimentally determine the coefficients of static and sliding friction from
measurements made on an inclined plane.
Work with computer simulations on forces.
Investigate the forces acting on real objects using digitized video clips on the
computer.
Solve textbook and worksheet problems on Newton’s three laws.
Pose conceptual questions
Lead discussions, ask relevant and clarifying questions, and allow students to respond
with relevant information.
ASSESSMENTS
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Teacher designed test and quizzes with multiple choice, short answer, and word
problems
Teacher designed worksheets
Homework checked for completion
Lab performance and reports graded for cooperative learning, manipulation,
observation, interpretation, and presentation
Computer simulations with worksheets that require reading and computations
Teacher observations
Portfolio
CORRECTIVES/EXTENSIONS
Correctives:
 Reduced analysis during lab work
 After school tutorial with instructor or peer
 Additional text (Conceptual Physics)
 Additional worksheet with level 1 type problems
Extensions:
 A more challenging problem that could be demonstrated for the class
 Exploratory questions that probe beyond the standard laboratory work to examine
the concept in more depth
 Instruct class on a physics concept
COURSE: Applied Physics
STRAND: Rotational Systems
GRADE(S): 11-12
TIME FRAME: One (1) Year
PA ACADEMIC STANDARDS
3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.7
ASSESSMENT ANCHORS
RESOURCES
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







College Physics Text
Overhead projections
VCR, TV, overhead projector, demonstration and laboratory equipment.
Computers with universal lab interfaces, sensors, and Logger Pro software
Graphical Analysis software
Interactive Physics software
World in Motion software
Computer lab with  24 computers
Teacher generated worksheets, labs, tables of data, and equation sheet.
Reference physics texts and laboratory manuals for computer based labs.
OBJECTIVES
The learner will define and analyze solutions to problems in rotational dynamics.
ESSENTIAL CONTENT
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Write a definition of torque in terms of force and lever arm.
Write a definition of lever arm of a force.
Define the center of mass and the center of gravity.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
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Demonstrate lever arms with common tools..
Experimentally determine the center of mass of objects as well as students.
Watch video on rotational dynamics.
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Solve textbook and worksheet problems on rotational dynamics.
Pose conceptual questions.
Lead discussions, ask relevant and clarifying questions, and allow students to respond
with relevant information.
ASSESSMENTS
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Teacher designed test and quizzes with multiple choice, short answer, and word
problems
Teacher designed worksheets
Homework checked for completion
Lab performance and reports graded for cooperative learning, manipulation,
observation, interpretation, and presentation
Computer simulations with worksheets that require reading and computations
Teacher observations
Portfolio
CORRECTIVES/EXTENSIONS
Correctives:
 Reduced analysis during lab work
 After school tutorial with instructor or peer
 Additional text (Conceptual Physics)
 Additional worksheet with level 1 type problems
Extensions:
 A more challenging problem that could be demonstrated for the class
 Exploratory questions that probe beyond the standard laboratory work to examine
the concept in more depth
 Instruct class on a physics concept
COURSE: Applied Physics
STRAND: Waves
GRADE(S): 11-12
TIME FRAME: One (1) Year
PA ACADEMIC STANDARDS
3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.7
ASSESSMENT ANCHORS
RESOURCES
 College Physics Text
 Overhead projections
 Necessary demonstration and laboratory equipment for the study of simple harmonic
motion and wave motion.
 VCR, TV, and overhead projector.
 Computers with universal lab interfaces, sensors, and Logger Pro software
 Graphical Analysis software
 Interactive Physics software
 Computer lab with  24 computers
 Teacher generated worksheets, labs, tables of data, and equation sheet
 Reference physics texts and laboratory manuals for computer based labs
OBJECTIVES
The learner will define simple harmonic motion and relate it to wave motion.
The learner will define sound, measure its speed and describe how it is produced from
strings and vibrating air columns.
The learner will define and solve problems dealing with the reflection and refraction of
light.
ESSENTIAL CONTENT
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Define wave, frequency, amplitude, and wavelength.
Describe a transverse and longitudinal wave.
Label a diagram of a transverse wave with the terms crest, trough, amplitude, and
wavelength.
Demonstrate characteristics of transverse and longitudinal waves.
Write the equation that relates the velocity of a wave to its frequency and wavelength.
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Solve problems that involve frequency, wavelength, and wave velocity.
Define constructive and destructive interference..
Describe the reflection of waves on a string from a fixed boundary and a free end.
State the type of disturbance involved in the propagation of a sound wave.
Define audible, infrasonic and ultrasonic waves..
Calculate the intensity of a sound at some distance from the source of sound given the
average power.
Define Doppler Effect.
Define Mach number and shock wave.
Describe the conditions for destructive and constructive interference between sound
waves.
Define forced vibrations, resonance, and resonant frequency.
Define beats.
Calculate the beat frequency for two sound waves of known frequency.
Describe what is meant by the quality of sound.
Name and describe the function of the three major divisions of the human ear.
Demonstrate refraction and interference patterns.
Demonstrate reflection off a pane of glass.
Demonstrate refraction with a laser and a coin in a cup.
Summarize information from a video on reflection and refraction.
Experimentally verify the law of reflection and refraction.
Demonstrate internal reflection.
Have students calculate and draw the path of light through a raindrop to illustrate the
formation of a rainbow.
Solve textbook and worksheet problems on reflection and refraction.
Pose conceptual questions.
Lead discussions, ask relevant and clarifying questions, and allow students to respond
with relevant information.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
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Determine the wave properties of a slinky.
Solve textbook and worksheet problems on waves.
Summarize information from a video on simple harmonic motion.
Summarize information from a video on waves.
Demonstrate wave properties in a ripple tank.
Pose conceptual questions
Lead discussions, ask relevant and clarifying questions, and allow students to respond
with relevant information.
ASSESSMENTS
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Teacher designed test and quizzes with multiple choice, short answer, and word
problems
Teacher designed worksheets
Homework checked for completion
Lab performance and reports graded for cooperative learning, manipulation,
observation, interpretation, and presentation
Computer simulations with worksheets that require reading and computations
Teacher observations
Portfolio
CORRECTIVES/EXTENSIONS
Correctives:
 Reduced analysis during lab work
 After school tutorial with instructor or peer
 Additional text (Conceptual Physics)
Extensions:
 A more challenging problem that could be demonstrated for the class
 Exploratory questions that probe beyond the standard laboratory work to examine
the concept in more depth
 Instruct class on a physics concept
COURSE: Applied Physics
STRAND: Electricity
GRADE(S): 11-12
TIME FRAME: One (1) Year
PA ACADEMIC STANDARDS
3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.7
ASSESSMENT ANCHORS
RESOURCES
 College Physics Text
 Overhead projections
 Necessary laboratory and demonstration equipment for the study of electrical current
and resistivity.
 VCR, TV, and overhead projector.
 Computers with universal lab interfaces, sensors, and Logger Pro software
 Graphical Analysis software
 Interactive Physics software
 Computer lab with  24 computers
 Teacher generated worksheets, labs, tables of data, and equation sheet.
 Reference physics texts and laboratory manuals for computer based labs.
OBJECTIVES
The learner will define Ohm's law and use it to calculate voltage, current, and resistance.
ESSENTIAL CONTENT
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Define potential difference
Name the SI unit of current.
Write the relationship between charge, current, and time.
Calculate the electron flow from the current in amperes and vice versa.
Write Ohm's law.
Solve problems with Ohm's law.
Solve problems using the equation for resistivity.
State how resistance generally varies with temperature.
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Define electrical energy and power.
Calculate electrical energy used by household appliances.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
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Summarize information presented in a video on potential difference.
Summarize information from a video on Ohm’s law.
Determine whether a resistor of ohmic or non-ohmic through experimentation.
Solve textbook and worksheet problems on resistance, Ohm’s law and power
dissipation in resistors.
Pose conceptual questions.
Lead discussions, ask relevant and clarifying questions, and allow students to respond
with relevant information.
ASSESSMENTS
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

Teacher designed test and quizzes with multiple choice, short answer, and word
problems
Teacher designed worksheets
Homework checked for completion
Lab performance and reports graded for cooperative learning, manipulation,
observation, interpretation, and presentation
Computer simulations with worksheets that require reading and computations
Teacher observations
Portfolio
CORRECTIVES/EXTENSIONS
Correctives:
 Reduced analysis during lab work
 After school tutorial with instructor or peer
 Additional text (Conceptual Physics)
Extensions:
 A more challenging problem that could be demonstrated for the class
 Exploratory questions that probe beyond the standard laboratory work to examine
the concept in more depth
 Instruct class on a physics concept