Virginia Standards of Learning: Physics
Skills available for Virginia Physics standards
Topic
Print skill plan
PH
Physics
PH.1 The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by
PH.1.a asking questions and defining problems
PH.1.a asking questions and defining problems
PH.1.a.i: ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, examination of a model or theory, unexpected results, and/or to seek additional information
PH.1.a.i: ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, examination of a model or theory, unexpected results, and/or to seek additional information
PH.1.a.ii: determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of the school laboratory
PH.1.a.ii: determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of the school laboratory
PH.1.a.iii: make hypotheses that specify what happens to a dependent variable when an independent variable is manipulated
PH.1.a.iii: make hypotheses that specify what happens to a dependent variable when an independent variable is manipulated
PH.1.a.iv: generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles
PH.1.a.iv: generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles
PH.1.a.v: define design problems that involves the development of a process or system with interacting components and criteria and constraints
PH.1.a.v: define design problems that involves the development of a process or system with interacting components and criteria and constraints
PH.1.b planning and carrying out investigations
PH.1.b planning and carrying out investigations
PH.1.b.i: individually and collaboratively plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations
PH.1.b.i: individually and collaboratively plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations
PH.1.b.ii: plan and conduct investigations or test design solutions in a safe manner
PH.1.b.ii: plan and conduct investigations or test design solutions in a safe manner
PH.1.b.iii: select and use appropriate tools and technology to collect, record, analyze, and evaluate data
PH.1.b.iii: select and use appropriate tools and technology to collect, record, analyze, and evaluate data
PH.1.c interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data
PH.1.c interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data
PH.1.c.i: record and present data in an organized format that communicates relationships and quantities in appropriate mathematical or algebraic forms
PH.1.c.i: record and present data in an organized format that communicates relationships and quantities in appropriate mathematical or algebraic forms
PH.1.c.ii: use data in building and revising models, supporting an explanation for phenomena, or testing solutions to problems
PH.1.c.ii: use data in building and revising models, supporting an explanation for phenomena, or testing solutions to problems
PH.1.c.iii: analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models (e.g., computational, mathematical, statistical) in order to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine an optimal design solution
PH.1.c.iii: analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models (e.g., computational, mathematical, statistical) in order to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine an optimal design solution
PH.1.c.iv: analyze data graphically and use graphs to make predictions
PH.1.c.iv: analyze data graphically and use graphs to make predictions
PH.1.c.v: consider limitations of data analysis when analyzing and interpreting data
PH.1.c.v: consider limitations of data analysis when analyzing and interpreting data
PH.1.c.vi: evaluate the effects of new data on a working explanation and/or model of a proposed process or system
PH.1.c.vi: evaluate the effects of new data on a working explanation and/or model of a proposed process or system
PH.1.c.vii: analyze data to optimize a design
PH.1.c.vii: analyze data to optimize a design
PH.1.d constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations
PH.1.d constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations
PH.1.d.i: make quantitative and/or qualitative claims based on data
PH.1.d.i: make quantitative and/or qualitative claims based on data
PH.1.d.ii: construct and revise explanations based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources
PH.1.d.ii: construct and revise explanations based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources
PH.1.d.iii: apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence to provide an explanation of phenomena or design solutions
PH.1.d.iii: apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence to provide an explanation of phenomena or design solutions
PH.1.d.iv: compare and evaluate competing arguments in light of currently accepted explanations and new scientific evidence
PH.1.d.iv: compare and evaluate competing arguments in light of currently accepted explanations and new scientific evidence
PH.1.d.v: construct arguments or counterarguments based on data and evidence
PH.1.d.v: construct arguments or counterarguments based on data and evidence
PH.1.d.vi: differentiate between scientific hypothesis, theory, and law
PH.1.d.vi: differentiate between scientific hypothesis, theory, and law
PH.1.e developing and using models
PH.1.e developing and using models
PH.1.e.i: evaluate the merits and limitations of models
PH.1.e.i: evaluate the merits and limitations of models
PH.1.e.ii: identify and communicate components of a system orally, graphically, textually, and mathematically
PH.1.e.ii: identify and communicate components of a system orally, graphically, textually, and mathematically
PH.1.e.iii: develop and/or use models (including mathematical and computational) and simulations to visualize, explain, and predict phenomena and to interpret data sets
PH.1.e.iii: develop and/or use models (including mathematical and computational) and simulations to visualize, explain, and predict phenomena and to interpret data sets
PH.1.f obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
PH.1.f obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
PH.1.f.i: compare, integrate, and evaluate sources of information presented in different media or formats to address a scientific question or solve a problem
PH.1.f.i: compare, integrate, and evaluate sources of information presented in different media or formats to address a scientific question or solve a problem
PH.1.f.ii: gather, read, and evaluate scientific and/or technical information from multiple authoritative sources, assessing the evidence and credibility of each source
PH.1.f.ii: gather, read, and evaluate scientific and/or technical information from multiple authoritative sources, assessing the evidence and credibility of each source
PH.1.f.iii: communicate scientific and/or technical information about phenomena and/or a design process in multiple formats
PH.1.f.iii: communicate scientific and/or technical information about phenomena and/or a design process in multiple formats
PH.2 The student will investigate and understand, through mathematical and experimental processes, that there are relationships between position and time. Key topics include
PH.2.a displacement, velocity, and uniform acceleration;
PH.2.a displacement, velocity, and uniform acceleration;
PH.2.b linear motion;
PH.2.b linear motion;
PH.2.c uniform circular motion; and
PH.2.c uniform circular motion; and
PH.2.d projectile motion.
Vectors
Projectile motion
PH.2.d projectile motion.
Vectors
Projectile motion
PH.3 The student will investigate and understand, through mathematical and experimental processes, that there are relationships among force, mass, and acceleration. Key laws include
PH.3.a Newton's laws of motion; and
PH.3.a Newton's laws of motion; and
PH.3.b Newton's law of universal gravitation.
PH.3.b Newton's law of universal gravitation.
PH.4 The student will investigate and understand, through mathematical and experimental processes, that conservation laws govern all interactions. Key ideas include
PH.4.a momentum is conserved unless an impulse acts on the system; and
PH.4.a momentum is conserved unless an impulse acts on the system; and
PH.4.b mechanical energy is conserved unless work is done on, by, or within the system.
PH.4.b mechanical energy is conserved unless work is done on, by, or within the system.
PH.5 The student will investigate and understand, through mathematical and experimental processes, that waves transmit energy and move in predictable patterns. Key ideas include
PH.5.a waves have specific characteristics;
PH.5.a waves have specific characteristics;
PH.5.b wave interactions are part of everyday experiences; and
PH.5.b wave interactions are part of everyday experiences; and
PH.5.c light and sound transmit energy as waves.
PH.5.c light and sound transmit energy as waves.
PH.6 The student will investigate and understand, through mathematical and experimental processes, that optical systems form a variety of images. Key ideas include
PH.6.a the laws of reflection and refraction describe light behavior; and
PH.6.a the laws of reflection and refraction describe light behavior; and
PH.6.b ray diagrams model light as it travels through different media.
PH.6.b ray diagrams model light as it travels through different media.
PH.7 The student will investigate and understand, through mathematical and experimental processes, that fields provide a unifying description of force at a distance. Key ideas include
PH.7.a gravitational, electric, and magnetic forces can be described using the field concept; and
Electric forces
Magnetic forces
PH.7.a gravitational, electric, and magnetic forces can be described using the field concept; and
Electric forces
Magnetic forces
PH.7.b field strength diminishes with increased distance from the source.
PH.7.b field strength diminishes with increased distance from the source.
PH.8 The student will investigate and understand, through mathematical and experimental processes, that electrical circuits are a system used to transfer energy. Key ideas include
PH.8.a circuit components have different functions within the system;
PH.8.a circuit components have different functions within the system;
PH.8.b Ohm's law relates voltage, current, and resistance;
PH.8.b Ohm's law relates voltage, current, and resistance;
PH.8.c different types of circuits have different characteristics and are used for different purposes;
PH.8.c different types of circuits have different characteristics and are used for different purposes;
PH.8.d electrical power is related to the elements in a circuit; and
PH.8.d electrical power is related to the elements in a circuit; and
PH.8.e electrical circuits have everyday applications.
PH.8.e electrical circuits have everyday applications.
PH.9 The student will investigate and understand that extremely large and extremely small quantities are not necessarily described by the same laws as those studied in Newtonian physics. Topics, such as these listed, may be included.
PH.9.a wave/particle duality;
PH.9.a wave/particle duality;
PH.9.b quantum mechanics and uncertainty;
PH.9.b quantum mechanics and uncertainty;
PH.9.c relativity;
PH.9.c relativity;
PH.9.d nuclear physics;
PH.9.d nuclear physics;
PH.9.e solid state physics;
PH.9.e solid state physics;
PH.9.f nanotechnology;
PH.9.f nanotechnology;
PH.9.g superconductivity;
PH.9.g superconductivity;
PH.9.h the standard model; and
PH.9.h the standard model; and
PH.9.i dark matter and dark energy.
PH.9.i dark matter and dark energy.