PHYSICS (S, SE)

Full Year - Grades 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: None

Recommended: Secondary Math 1

UVU Concurrent Enrollment credit available

This class uses a variety of lab equipment to make physics visual and concrete. It involves experimentation with mechanical forces, hydraulics, electricity, and heat. It is an excellent class for pre-engineering or any applied science. You can receive CE credit for this course though UVU.

Essential Standards

Essential Standards

Strand PHYS.1: FORCES AND INTERACTIONS

Uniform motion of an object is natural. Changes in motion are caused by a nonzero sum of forces. A "net force" causes an acceleration as predicted by Newton's 2nd Law. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of position, velocity, and acceleration provide evidence of the effects of forces. Momentum is defined for a particular frame of reference; it is the product of the mass and the velocity of the object. In any system, total momentum is always conserved. If a system interacts with objects outside itself, the total momentum of the system can change; however, any such change is balanced by changes in the momentum of objects outside the system. The time over which these paired forces are exerted determines the impact force.

Strand PHYS.1: FORCES AND INTERACTIONS

Uniform motion of an object is natural. Changes in motion are caused by a nonzero sum of forces. A "net force" causes an acceleration as predicted by Newton's 2nd Law. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of position, velocity, and acceleration provide evidence of the effects of forces. Momentum is defined for a particular frame of reference; it is the product of the mass and the velocity of the object. In any system, total momentum is always conserved. If a system interacts with objects outside itself, the total momentum of the system can change; however, any such change is balanced by changes in the momentum of objects outside the system. The time over which these paired forces are exerted determines the impact force. (1.2.5)

Strand PHYS.1: FORCES AND INTERACTIONS

Uniform motion of an object is natural. Changes in motion are caused by a nonzero sum of forces. A "net force" causes an acceleration as predicted by Newton's 2nd Law. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of position, velocity, and acceleration provide evidence of the effects of forces. Momentum is defined for a particular frame of reference; it is the product of the mass and the velocity of the object. In any system, total momentum is always conserved. If a system interacts with objects outside itself, the total momentum of the system can change; however, any such change is balanced by changes in the momentum of objects outside the system. The time over which these paired forces are exerted determines the impact force. (2.2.4)

Strand PHYS.2: ENERGY: Energy describes the motion and interactions of matter and radiation within a system. Energy is a quantifiable property that is conserved in isolated systems and in the universe as a whole. At the macroscopic scale, energy manifests itself in multiple ways, such as in motion, sound, light, and thermal energy. Uncontrolled systems always evolve toward more stable states- that is, toward more uniform energy distribution. Examining the world through an energy lens allows us to model and predict complex interactions of multiple objects within a system and address societal needs.

Strand PHYS.2: ENERGY: Energy describes the motion and interactions of matter and radiation within a system. Energy is a quantifiable property that is conserved in isolated systems and in the universe as a whole. At the macroscopic scale, energy manifests itself in multiple ways, such as in motion, sound, light, and thermal energy. Uncontrolled systems always evolve toward more stable states- that is, toward more uniform energy distribution. Examining the world through an energy lens allows us to model and predict complex interactions of multiple objects within a system and address societal needs. (P6.3)

Strand PHYS.3: FIELDS: Fields describe how forces act through space and how potential energy is stored in systems. These take on different forms of electric, magnetic, or gravitational fields, but similarly provide a mechanism for how matter interacts. When two objects interacting through a field change relative position, the energy stored in the field is changed. These fields are important at a wide variety of scales, ranging from the subatomic to the astronomic

Strand PHYS.4: WAVES: Waves transfer energy through oscillations of fields or matter. The wavelength and frequency of a wave are related to one another by the speed of travel of the wave, which depends on the type of wave and the medium through which it passes. Waves produce interference as they overlap but they emerge unaffected by each other. The wave model is useful for explaining many features of electromagnetic radiation, and the particle model explains other features. Electromagnetic radiation can be modeled as a wave of changing electric and magnetic fields or as particles called photons. When light or longer wavelength electromagnetic radiation is absorbed in matter, it is generally converted into thermal energy. Because waves depend upon the properties of fields and the predictable transformation of energy, they can be used to interpret the nature of matter and its energy. Waves are utilized to transmit information both in analog and digital forms.

I Can Statement

I Can Statement

"I can" statements illustrate what students will be able to do as a result of taking this course.

I Can #1

I can calculate the net force on an object.

I can analyze the velocity and acceleration of an object over time.

I Can #2

I can predict the combined effect of multiple forces (e.g., friction, gravity, and normal forces) on an object’s motion.

I can gather data and calculate the kinetic energy of an object (e.g., pendulum, water flowing downhill, ball dropped from a height) and relate this to the conservation of energy of a system.

I Can #3

I can calculate efficiency.

I can use Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation to do calculations for unknowns.

I Can #4

I can calculate an unknown speed, wavelength, or frequency of a wave.

Course Trailer

Course Trailer

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Additional Information

Additional Information

Students may earn Concurrent Enrollment credit for this class through UVU. UVU registration required. See your teacher or counselor for details.