Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Physics

Other Virginia Science sets

PhysicsPH

  • 1

    The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by.PH.1

    1. a

      asking questions and defining problemsPH.1.a

      1. i

        ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, examination of a model or theory, unexpected results, and/or to seek additional informationPH.1.a.i

      2. ii

        determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of the school laboratoryPH.1.a.ii

      3. iii

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

      4. iv

        generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principlesPH.1.a.iv

      5. v

        define design problems that involves the development of a process or system with interacting components and criteria and constraintsPH.1.a.v

    2. b

      planning and carrying out investigationsPH.1.b

      1. i

        individually and collaboratively plan and conduct observational and experimental investigationsPH.1.b.i

      2. ii

        plan and conduct investigations or test design solutions in a safe mannerPH.1.b.ii

      3. iii

        select and use appropriate tools and technology to collect, record, analyze, and evaluate dataPH.1.b.iii

    3. c

      interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating dataPH.1.c

      1. i

        record and present data in an organized format that communicates relationships and quantities in appropriate mathematical or algebraic formsPH.1.c.i

      2. ii

        use data in building and revising models, supporting an explanation for phenomena, or testing solutions to problemsPH.1.c.ii

      3. 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 solutionPH.1.c.iii

      4. iv

        analyze data graphically and use graphs to make predictionsPH.1.c.iv

      5. v

        consider limitations of data analysis when analyzing and interpreting dataPH.1.c.v

      6. vi

        evaluate the effects of new data on a working explanation and/or model of a proposed process or systemPH.1.c.vi

      7. vii

        analyze data to optimize a designPH.1.c.vii

    4. d

      constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanationsPH.1.d

      1. i

        make quantitative and/or qualitative claims based on dataPH.1.d.i

      2. ii

        construct and revise explanations based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sourcesPH.1.d.ii

      3. iii

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

      4. iv

        compare and evaluate competing arguments in light of currently accepted explanations and new scientific evidencePH.1.d.iv

      5. v

        construct arguments or counterarguments based on data and evidencePH.1.d.v

      6. vi

        differentiate between scientific hypothesis, theory, and lawPH.1.d.vi

    5. e

      developing and using modelsPH.1.e

      1. i

        evaluate the merits and limitations of modelsPH.1.e.i

      2. ii

        identify and communicate components of a system orally, graphically, textually, and mathematicallyPH.1.e.ii

      3. iii

        develop and/or use models (including mathematical and computational) and simulations to visualize, explain, and predict phenomena and to interpret data setsPH.1.e.iii

    6. f

      obtaining, evaluating, and communicating informationPH.1.f

      1. i

        compare, integrate, and evaluate sources of information presented in different media or formats to address a scientific question or solve a problemPH.1.f.i

      2. ii

        gather, read, and evaluate scientific and/or technical information from multiple authoritative sources, assessing the evidence and credibility of each sourcePH.1.f.ii

      3. iii

        communicate scientific and/or technical information about phenomena and/or a design process in multiple formatsPH.1.f.iii

  • 2

    The student will investigate and understand, through mathematical and experimental processes, that there are relationships between position and time. Key topics includePH.2

    1. a

      displacement, velocity, and uniform acceleration;PH.2.a

    2. b

      linear motion;PH.2.b

    3. c

      uniform circular motion; andPH.2.c

    4. d

      projectile motionPH.2.d

  • 3

    The student will investigate and understand, through mathematical and experimental processes, that there are relationships among force, mass, and acceleration. Key laws includePH.3

    1. a

      Newton’s laws of motion; andPH.3.a

    2. b

      Newton’s law of universal gravitationPH.3.b

  • 4

    The student will investigate and understand, through mathematical and experimental processes, that conservation laws govern all interactions. Key ideas includePH.4

    1. a

      momentum is conserved unless an impulse acts on the system; andPH.4.a

    2. b

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

  • 5

    The student will investigate and understand, through mathematical and experimental processes, that waves transmit energy and move in predictable patterns. Key ideas includePH.5

    1. a

      waves have specific characteristics;PH.5.a

    2. b

      wave interactions are part of everyday experiences; andPH.5.b

    3. c

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

  • 6

    The student will investigate and understand, through mathematical and experimental processes, that optical systems form a variety of images. Key ideas includePH.6

    1. a

      the laws of reflection and refraction describe light behavior; andPH.6.a

    2. b

      ray diagrams model light as it travels through different media.PH.6.b

  • 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 includePH.7

    1. a

      gravitational, electric, and magnetic forces can be described using the field concept; andPH.7.a

    2. b

      field strength diminishes with increased distance from the sourcePH.7.b

  • 8

    The student will investigate and understand, through mathematical and experimental processes, that electrical circuits are a system used to transfer energy. Key ideas includePH.8

    1. a

      circuit components have different functions within the systemPH.8.a

    2. b

      Ohm’s law relates voltage, current, and resistance;PH.8.b

    3. c

      different types of circuits have different characteristics and are used for different purposes;PH.8.c

    4. d

      electrical power is related to the elements in a circuit; andPH.8.d

    5. e

      electrical circuits have everyday applications.PH.8.e

  • 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 includedPH.9

    1. a

      wave/particle duality;PH.9.a

    2. b

      quantum mechanics and uncertaintyPH.9.b

    3. c

      relativity;PH.9.c

    4. d

      nuclear physics;PH.9.d

    5. e

      solid state physicsPH.9.e

    6. f

      nanotechnology;PH.9.f

    7. g

      superconductivityPH.9.g

    8. h

      the standard model; andPH.9.h

    9. i

      dark matter and dark energy.PH.9.i

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, and Grade 12

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Sibling grade bands, other subjects in this jurisdiction, and the same subject across other states.