Conceptual Physics
Grade level: 11-12
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Introduction to Physics |
What is physics; the language of science; scientific methods; science, technology, & society; science, art, & religion |
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Linear Motion |
Relativity; speed; velocity; acceleration; free fall; graphing motion; air resistance & falling objects |
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Projectile Motion |
Vector and scalar quantities; velocity vectors; components of vectors; upwardly launched projectiles; fast moving projectiles |
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Inertia |
History of inertia; Newton’s first law of motion; measure of inertia; net force; equilibrium; vector addition |
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Force and Acceleration |
Newton’s second law of motion; force causes acceleration; mass resists acceleration; friction; pressure; free fall; falling & air resistance |
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Action and Reaction |
Newton’s third law of motion; forces & interactions; identifying action & reaction |
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Momentum |
Introduce momentum; impulse changes momentum; bouncing; conservation of momentum; collisions; momentum vectors |
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Energy |
Work; power; mechanical energy; potential & kinetic energy; conservation of energy; machines; efficiency |
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Circular Motion |
Rotation & revolution; rotational speed; centripetal force; centrifugal force; simulated gravity |
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Center of Gravity |
Center of gravity; center of mass; locating the center of gravity; toppling; stability; center of gravity and people |
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Rotational Mechanics |
Torque; balanced torques; torque & the center of gravity; rotational inertia; angular momentum; conservation of angular momentum |
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Universal Gravitation and Gravitational Interactions |
Newton’s law of universal gravitation, the inverse-square law, gravitational fields; weight and weightlessness; ocean tides; the atmosphere; black holes |
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Satellite Motion |
Earth satellites; circular orbits; elliptical orbits; energy conservation & satellite motion |
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Special Relatively |
Space and time; speed of light; the first postulate of special relativity; time dilation; space & time travel; length contraction; momentum, inertia, & kinetic energy in relativity; the correspondence principle |
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The Atomic Nature of Matter |
Atoms; elements; compounds; phases of matter |
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Solids |
Crystalline structure; density; elasticity; compression & tension |
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Liquids |
Liquids pressure; buoyancy; Archimedes’ Principle; sink or float; Pascal’s Principle |
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Gases |
Atmospheric pressure; barometers; Boyle’s law; buoyancy of air; Bernoulli’s Principle |
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Temperature, Heat, Expansion, and Heat Transfer |
Temperature; heat; thermal equilibrium; internal energy; measurement of heat; specific heat capacity; thermal expansion; conduction & convection; radiation; absorption & emission of radiant energy; Newton’s Law of Cooling; global warming & the greenhouse effect |
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Change of Phase |
Evaporation; condensation; boiling; freezing; regelation; energy and changes of phase |
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Thermodynamics |
Absolute zero; First Law of Thermodynamics; adiabatic processes; Second Law of Thermodynamics; order and disorder; entropy |
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Vibrations and Waves |
Wave description; wave motion; wave speed; transverse waves; longitudinal waves; standing waves; bow waves; shock waves; interference; the Doppler Effect |
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Sound |
Media that transmits sound; speed of sound; loudness; forced vibration; natural frequency; resonance; interference; beats |
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Light |
Speed of light; electromagnetic waves; transparent & opaque materials; shadows; polarization; polarized light and 3-D |
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Color |
The color spectrum; reflection & transmission; sunlight; complementary colors; mixing color; the atomic spectra |
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Reflection and Refraction |
The Law of Reflection; mirrors; diffuse reflection; reflection of sound; refraction; refraction of sound; refraction of light; atmospheric refraction; prisms; rainbows; total internal reflection |
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Lenses |
Converging & diverging lenses; image formation; optical instruments; the eye; defects of vision & lenses |
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Diffraction and Interference |
Huygens’ Principle; diffraction; interference; single color interference; iridescence; laser light; holograms |
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Electrostatics |
Electrical forces & charges; conservation of charge; Coulomb’s Law; conductors; insulators; charging by friction, induction, & polarization |
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Electric Fields |
Electric fields; electric shielding; electric potential; electrical energy storage |
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Electric Current & Circuits |
Flow of charge; electric current; voltage sources; electric resistance; Ohm’s Law; DC & AC currents; electric power; electric currents; series circuit; parallel circuit; compound circuits; overloading |
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Magnetism |
Magnetic poles; magnetic fields; magnetic domains; electric currents & magnetic fields; the Earth’s magnetic field |
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Electromagnetic Induction |
Electromagnetic induction; Faraday’s Law; generators & alternating current; transformers; power transmission; induction of electric & magnetic fields; electromagnetic waves |