Download Grade 9 Physics First Curriculum Sequence

2014-2015 Physics Scope & Sequence
The suggested time frames in this document are for a year-long physics class with approximately 45 minute class
periods. All of the material outlined on this scope and sequence must be covered in all City Schools physics
classes, regardless of alternate schedules.
Sequences of numbers and letters listed in parentheses refer to Maryland’s Core Learning Goals since Maryland
has adopted, but not yet implemented, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This year teachers will be
provided with materials to conduct a couple NGSS-aligned design challenges and investigations. City Schools’
current plan for NGSS Physics is also available on our intranet (http://sciencedev.admin.bcps.k12.md.us). Please
send comments and suggestions to [email protected].
Unit 1: One Dimensional Motion (5 weeks)
 Constant Velocity (5.1.2.a)
 Constant Acceleration (5.1.2.b)
 Weight & Mass (5.1.3.c)
 Free Fall & Weightlessness (5.1.2.e)
Math Tools
 Scientific Notation
 Measuring & Units
 Unit Conversions
 Significant Digits
 Position vs. Time Graphs
o Calculating Slope
 Velocity vs. Time Graphs
o Calculating Slope
 Algebra
o Solving an equation for an unknown
variable
Unit 2: Two Dimensional Motion (4 weeks)
 Vectors (5.1.1)
 Relative Motion (5.1.2.c)
 Projectile Motion (5.1.2.d)
 Circular Motion (Optional*)
Math Tools
 Scientific Notation
 Measuring & Units
 Unit Conversions
 Significant Digits
 Algebra
o Solving an equation for an unknown
variable
 Trigonometry
o Pythagorean Theorem
o Trig. Identities
o Law of Cosines
 Vector Addition
 Frames of Reference
* Included in NGSS
Physics Scope & Sequence (revised August 2014)
City Schools Office of Science
Page 1 of 4
Unit 3: Force (3 weeks)
 Newton’s Laws (5.1.3)
 Free-Body Diagrams (5.1.1.b)
 Friction (5.1.4.a)
 Universal Gravitation (5.1.4.b)
Math Tools
 Scientific Notation
 Measuring & Units
 Unit Conversions
 Significant Digits
 Graphing
o Scatter Plots
o Curve Fitting
 Algebra
o Solving an equation for an unknown
variable
 Trigonometry
o Trig. Identities
Unit 4: Conservation (3 weeks)
 Work (5.1.4.c)
 Potential Energy (5.1.5.b)
 Kinetic Energy (5.1.5.b)
 Conservation of Energy (5.1.5.b)
 Power (5.1.4.c)
 Impulse (5.1.4.d)
 Conservation of Momentum (5.1.5.a)
Math Tools
 Scientific Notation
 Measuring & Units
 Unit Conversions
 Significant Digits
 Graphing
o Scatter Plots
o Curve Fitting
o Area Under Curve
 Algebra
o Solving an equation for an unknown
variable
 Vector Addition
Middle of Course Assessments (3 days)
Unit 5: Thermodynamics (2 weeks)
 Temperature (5.3.1.a)
 Heat (5.3.1.a)
 Thermal Equilibrium (5.3.1.a)
 Mechanisms of Heat Transfer (5.3.1.b)
 Specific Heat (5.3.1.e)
o Conductors & Insulators
st
 1 Law of Thermodynamics (5.3.1.c)
 2nd Law of Thermodynamics (5.3.1.d)
 Entropy (5.3.1.d)
Physics Scope & Sequence (revised August 2014)
City Schools Office of Science
Math Tools
 Scientific Notation
 Measuring & Units
 Unit Conversions
 Significant Digits
 Graphing
o Scatter Plots
o Curve Fitting
 Algebra
o Solving an equation for an unknown
variable
Page 2 of 4
Unit 6: Electricity & Magnetism (5 weeks)
 Static Electricity (5.2.1)
 Coulomb’s Law (5.2.1.a & 5.2.1.c)
 Electric Fields (5.2.2.a)
 Electric Potential (5.2.2.a)
 Ohm’s Law (5.2.2.d)
 DC Circuits (5.2.2.d)
 Magnetic Fields (5.2.2.b)
 Induction (5.2.3)
 Electromagnetic Spectrum (5.4.1.a)
Math Tools
 Scientific Notation
 Measuring & Units
 Unit Conversions
 Significant Digits
 Graphing
o Scatter Plots
o Curve Fitting
 Algebra
o Solving an equation for an unknown
variable
 Trigonometry
o Trig. Identities
 Vector Addition
Unit 7: Waves (5 weeks)
 Simple Harmonic Motion (5.4.2)
 Wave Properties (5.4.2)
 Wave Equation (5.4.2)
 Wave Interactions
o Interference (5.4.3.d)
o Reflection (5.4.3.a)
 Sound
o Beats (5.4.3.d)
o Doppler Effect (5.4.3.f)
 Light
o Mirrors (5.4.3.a)
o Lenses (5.4.3.b)
o Snell’s Law (5.4.3.b)
o Geometric Optics (5.4.3.a)
o Diffraction (5.4.3.c)
o Polarization (5.4.3.e)
Math Tools
 Scientific Notation
 Measuring & Units
 Unit Conversions
 Significant Digits
 Graphing
o Scatter Plots
o Curve Fitting
 Trigonometry
o Trig. Identities
 Algebra
o Solving an equation for an unknown
variable
 Geometry
Physics Scope & Sequence (revised August 2014)
City Schools Office of Science
Page 3 of 4
Unit 8: Modern Physics (2 weeks)
 Atomic Physics
o Models of the Atom (5.5.2)
o Photons & the Dual Nature of
Electromagnetic Radiation (5.5.1.a)
o Energy Level Diagrams (5.5.1.b)
o Photoelectric Effect (5.5.1.b)
 Subatomic Physics
o Half Lives (5.5.2.a)
o Particles (5.5.2.a)
o Nuclear Equations (5.5.2.a & 5.5.2.b)
o Nuclear Energy (5.5.1.a & 5.5.2.b)
 Modern Technology (Optional*)
o Digital Information and Transmission
o Communications
o Imaging
Math Tools
 Scientific Notation
 Measuring & Units
 Unit Conversions
 Significant Digits
 Graphing
o Scatter Plots
o Curve Fitting
 Logarithms
 Algebra
o Solving an equation for an unknown
variable
* Included in NGSS
End of Course Assessments (3 days)
All science curricula (including scope and sequences and resources from professional development workshops)
are available on TSS/Blackboard. Go to http://tinyurl.com/ScienceTSS14 for instructions on how to access
science curriculum on TSS/Blackboard.
Physics Scope & Sequence (revised August 2014)
City Schools Office of Science
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