Physics Scope and Sequence
Lisa Craig/LeeAnn Salisbury Riverton High School
Subject
Walkaway Concepts
Time Frame
Nature of
Science
I can :
• Identify a problem.
• Formulate a research question and
hypothesis.
• Identify variables and describe
relationships between them.
• Plan procedures to control
independent variables.
• Collect data on the dependent
variable(s).
• Select the appropriate format (e.g.,
graph, chart, diagram) to summarize
data obtained.
• Analyze data, check for accuracy, and
construct reasonable conclusions.
• Prepare written and oral reports of
investigations.
Motion
I can:
• Describe the motion of an object in
terms of position, time, and velocity.
• Analyze the motion of an object in
terms of velocity, time, and
acceleration.
• Relate the motion of objects to a
frame of reference.
• Describe and calculate the
acceleration of an object in free fall.
• Collect, graph and interpret data to
describe the motion of an object.
5 weeks
Velocity of a Tumble Buggy
Match the Graph CBR activity
Consumer Reports Auto
Analysis (Acc.)
Motion Maps Worksheet
“What Made This Graph”?
Quiz
Test
Newton’s
Laws
I can:
• Use Newton's first law to explain the
motion of an object.
• Analyze forces acting on an object.
• Using Newton’s second law, relate
the force, mass and acceleration of an
object.
Last 2 weeks
of Quarter 1
and First 4
weeks of
Quarter 2
Discovering Newton’s First
Forces Webquest
Quiz
Skateboard (Force, Mass,
Acceleration) Lab
Test
Bottle Cars
2-3 weeks
Activities/Labs/Assignments
Common Assessments
Cartesian diver activity
Graphing Practice
Bottle Rocket Investigation
Quiz
Universal
Law of
Gravitation
Energy
Waves
(Mechanical
Waves)
• Explain that forces act in pairs as
described by Newton’s third law.
I can:
2 weeks
• Relate the strength of the
gravitational force to the distance
between
two objects and the mass of the objects
I can:
5 weeks
• Determine kinetic and potential energy
in a
system.
• Identify various types of potential
energy (i.e., gravitational, elastic,
chemical, electrostatic, nuclear).
• Describe conservation of energy in
terms of systems.
• Relate the transformations between
kinetic and potential energy in a
system
• Gather data and calculate the
gravitational potential
energy and the kinetic energy of an
object
• Describe common energy
transformations and the
effect on availability of energy.
• Evaluate social, economic, and
environmental issues related to the
production and transmission of
electrical energy.
• Investigate the transfer of heat
energy by conduction, convection,
and radiation.
I can:
• Demonstrate an understanding of
mechanical waves
in terms of general wave properties.
(period, frequency, wavelength, and
amplitude)
• Identify the relationship between the
speed, wavelength and frequency of a
wave.
3-1/2
weeks
Quiz
Cool Gravity Topics
Online energy transfer
Pie Chart Energy Graphs
Golf Ball Lab
K to G Lab
Energy Calculations
Quiz
Power Plant Debate
Wave stations lab
Wave Worksheet 1 (Vocab)
Wave Quiz
Wave Worksheet 2
(Calculations)
Wave Demos (reflectiom,
interference)
Sound Stations lab
Doppler Effect
• Explain the observed change in
frequency of a wave coming from a
moving object as it approaches
and moves away (i.e., Doppler effect).
• Provide examples of waves commonly
observed in nature and/or used in
technological applications.
Electromagn I can:
etic
• Describe the relationship of energy to
spectrum
wavelength or frequency for
and light
electromagnetic radiation.
• Distinguish between the different
parts of the electromagnetic
spectrum (e.g., radio waves and xrays or visible light and microwaves).
• Explain that the different parts of the
electromagnetic spectrum all travel
through empty space and at the same
speed.
• Provide examples of the use of
electromagnetic radiation in
everyday life (e.g., communications,
lasers, microwaves, cellular phones,
satellite dishes, visible light).
• Investigate and compare reflection,
refraction, and diffraction of
electromagnetic waves
Electrostatic
s
I can:
• Describe the factors that affect the
electric force (i.e., Coulomb’s
law). (amount of charge and
distance)
Speed of Sound lab/online
2-1/2 weeks
Online EMS webquest
EMS Poster
Light Demos (in groups:
reflection, refraction,
diffraction)
Test
Worksheets:
Charge
Charge Interactions
Coulomb’s law
Quiz