Virginia

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.i ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, examination of a model or theory, unexpected results, and/or to seek additional information

      • The process of scientific inquiry (Ph-A.1)
      • Identify the experimental question (Ph-A.3)

    • PH.1.a.ii determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of the school laboratory

      • Identify questions that can be investigated with a set of materials (Ph-A.4)

    • PH.1.a.iii make hypotheses that specify what happens to a dependent variable when an independent variable is manipulated

      • Identify independent and dependent variables (Ph-A.2)

    • 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.b planning and carrying out 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.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.i record and present data in an organized format that communicates relationships and quantities in appropriate mathematical or algebraic forms

      • Identify significant figures in measurements (Ph-B.1)
      • Add and subtract with significant figures (Ph-B.2)
      • Multiply and divide with significant figures (Ph-B.3)

    • 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.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.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.d constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations

    • 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

      • The process of scientific inquiry (Ph-A.1)

    • PH.1.d.iii apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence to provide an explanation of phenomena or design solutions

      • The process of scientific inquiry (Ph-A.1)

    • 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.vi differentiate between scientific hypothesis, theory, and law

  • PH.1.e developing and using 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.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.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.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;

    • Distance and displacement in one dimension (Ph-D.1)

  • PH.2.b linear motion;

    • Solve problems using kinematic equations (Ph-D.2)

  • PH.2.c uniform circular motion; and

    • Circular motion (Ph-I.1)

  • PH.2.d projectile motion.

    • Decompose and compose two-dimensional vectors (Ph-C.1)
    • Add and subtract two-dimensional vectors: component form (Ph-C.2)
    • Solve projectile motion problems given components of velocity (Ph-E.1)
    • Solve projectile motion problems given magnitude and direction of velocity (Ph-E.2)

• 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

    • Newton's laws of motion (Ph-F.1)
    • Newton's first law of motion (Ph-F.2)
    • Newton's second law of motion (Ph-F.3)

  • PH.3.b Newton's law of universal gravitation.

    • Newton's law of universal gravitation (Ph-I.2)

• 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

    • Conservation of momentum (Ph-G.1)

  • PH.4.b mechanical energy is conserved unless work is done on, by, or within the system.

    • Conservation of mechanical energy (Ph-H.1)

• 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;

    • Waves on strings (Ph-L.1)

  • PH.5.b wave interactions are part of everyday experiences; and

  • PH.5.c light and sound transmit energy as waves.

    • Properties of electromagnetic waves (Ph-N.1)

• 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

    • The law of reflection (Ph-O.1)

  • 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

    • Coulomb's law: electrostatic forces (Ph-P.1)
    • Magnets and magnetism (Ph-R.1)

  • PH.7.b field strength diminishes with increased distance from the source.

    • Newton's law of universal gravitation (Ph-I.2)

• 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.b Ohm's law relates voltage, current, and resistance;

    • Ohm's law: voltage, current, and resistance (Ph-Q.1)

  • 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.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.b quantum mechanics and uncertainty;

  • PH.9.c relativity;

  • PH.9.d nuclear physics;

    • Classify nuclear reactions (Ph-S.1)

  • PH.9.e solid state physics;

  • PH.9.f nanotechnology;

  • PH.9.g superconductivity;

  • PH.9.h the standard model; and

  • PH.9.i dark matter and dark energy.