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The
Physics standards emphasize a more
complex understanding
of experimentation, the analysis
of data, and the use of reasoning
and
logic to evaluate evidence. The use
of mathematics, including algebra
and trigonometry, is important, but
conceptual understanding of physical
systems remains a primary concern. Students
build on basic physical science principles
by exploring in-depth the nature and
characteristics of energy and its
dynamic interaction with matter. Key
areas covered by the standards include
force and motion, energy transformations,
wave phenomena and the electromagnetic
spectrum, light, electricity, fields,
and non-Newtonian physics. The
standards stress the practical application
of
physics in other areas of science
and technology and how physics affects
our world.
The Physics standards continue to
focus on student growth in understanding
the nature of science. This scientific
view defines the idea that explanations
of nature are developed and tested
using observation, experimentation,
models, evidence, and systematic processes. The
nature of science includes the concepts
that scientific explanations are based
on logical thinking; are subject to
rules of evidence; are consistent
with observational, inferential, and
experimental evidence; are open to
rational critique; and are subject
to refinement and change with the
addition of new scientific evidence. The
nature of science includes the concept
that science can provide explanations
about nature, can predict potential
consequences of actions, but cannot
be used to answer all questions. |
| PH.1 |
The
student will investigate and understand
how to plan and conduct
investigations in which
- the components
of a system are defined;
- instruments are
selected and used to extend
observations and measurements
of mass, volume, temperature,
heat exchange, energy
transformations, motion,
fields, and electric
charge;
- information is recorded
and presented in an organized
format;
- metric
units are used in
all measurements and calculations;
- the limitations of the
experimental apparatus and
design are recognized;
- the limitations of measured
quantities through the appropriate
use of significant figures
or error ranges are recognized;
- data gathered from non-SI
instruments are incorporated
through appropriate conversions;
and
- appropriate technology,
including computers, graphing
calculators, and probeware
is used for gathering and
analyzing data and communicating
results.
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| PH.2 |
The
student will investigate and understand
how to analyze
and interpret data. Key concepts
include
- a description of a physical
problem is translated into
a mathematical statement
in order to find a solution;
- relationships between
physical quantities are
determined using the shape
of a curve passing through
experimentally obtained
data;
- the slope of a linear
relationship is calculated
and includes appropriate
units;
- interpolated, extrapolated,
and analyzed trends are
used to make predictions;
and
- analysis of systems employs vector quantities
utilizing trigonometric
and graphical methods.
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| PH.3 |
The
student will investigate and understand
how to demonstrate scientific
reasoning and logic. Key
concepts include
- analysis of scientific
sources to develop and refine research
hypotheses;
- analysis of how science
explains and predicts relationships;
- evaluation
of evidence for scientific
theories;
- examination of how new
discoveries result in modification
of existing theories or
establishment of new paradigms;
and
- construction and defense
of a scientific viewpoint
(the nature of science).
|
| PH.4 |
The
student will investigate and understand
how applications
of physics affect the world. Key
concepts include
- examples from the real
world; and
- exploration of the roles
and contributions of science
and technology.
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| PH.5 |
The
student will investigate and understand
the interrelationships among mass,
distance, force, and time through
mathematical and experimental
processes. Key concepts include
- linear
motion;
- uniform
circular motion;
- projectile
motion;
- Newton's
laws of motion;
- gravitation;
- planetary
motion; and
- work, power, and energy.
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| PH.6 |
The
student will investigate and understand
that quantities including mass,
energy, momentum, and charge are
conserved. Key concepts include
- kinetic
and potential energy;
- elastic and inelastic
collisions; and
- electric
power.
|
| PH.7 |
The
student will investigate and understand
properties of fluids. Key concepts
include
- density
and pressure;
- variation of pressure
with depth;
- Archimedes'
principle of buoyancy;
- Pascal's principle;
- fluids
in motion; and
- Bernoulli's
principle.
|
| PH.8 |
The
student will investigate and understand
that energy can be transferred
and transformed to provide usable
work. Key concepts include
- transformation of energy
among forms, including mechanical, thermal, electrical, gravitational, chemical,
and nuclear;
and
- efficiency
of systems.
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| PH.9 |
The
student will investigate and understand
how to use models of transverse
and longitudinal waves to
interpret wave phenomena. Key
concepts include
- wave
characteristics (period,
wavelength, frequency,
amplitude and phase);
- fundamental wave processes
(reflection, refraction,
diffraction, interference, polarization, Doppler
effect); and
- light and sound in terms
of wave models.
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| PH.10 |
The
student will investigate and understand
that different frequencies and
wavelengths in the electromagnetic
spectrum are phenomena ranging
from radio
waves through visible light
to gamma
radiation. Key concepts include
- the properties and behaviors
of radio, microwaves, infrared, visible
light, ultraviolet, X-rays,
and gamma
rays; and
- current applications based
on the wave properties of
each band.
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| PH.11 |
The
student will investigate and understand
how light behaves in the fundamental
processes of reflection, refraction,
and image formation in describing
optical systems. Key concepts
include
- application of the laws
of reflection and refraction;
- construction and interpretation
of ray diagrams;
- development and use of
mirror and lens equations;
and
- predictions of type, size,
and position of real and
virtual images.
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| PH.12 |
The
student will investigate and understand
how to use the field concept to
describe the effects of gravitational, electric,
and magnetic forces. Key
concepts include
- inverse square laws (Newton’s
law of universal
gravitation and Coulomb’s
law); and
- operating principles of
motors, generators, transformers,
and cathode ray tubes.
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| PH.13 |
The
student will investigate and understand
how to diagram and construct basic electrical
circuits and explain the function
of various circuit components.
Key concepts include
- Ohm’s
law;
- series,
parallel, and combined
circuits; and
- circuit
components including
resistors, batteries, generators, fuses,
switches, and capacitors.
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| PH.14 |
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. Key
concepts include
- wave/particle
duality;
- wave
properties of matter;
- matter/energy equivalence;
- quantum
mechanics and uncertainty;
- relativity;
- nuclear
physics;
- solid state physics;
- superconductivity;
and
- radioactivity.
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Equipment
Available
Updated
Thursday, December 1, 2005