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Physics

Discover the fundamental laws governing motion, forces, energy, momentum, waves, electricity, and magnetism. Desmos kinematics and wave simulations, plus GeoGebra optics constructions. TEKS §112.44 aligned.

14 Units

40-55 minutes per unit

What You Will Learn

Classical Mechanics & Beyond

Kinematics, Newton's laws, energy, momentum, circular motion, gravity, waves, electricity, magnetism, and modern physics.

Interactive Simulations

Desmos kinematics, projectile, and wave visualizations. GeoGebra ray diagrams and optics constructions.

TEKS §112.44 Aligned

Covers Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Physics.

All Units

Measurement, Units, and Mathematical Tools

Establish the foundations of physics through SI units, dimensional analysis, significant figures, vector mathematics, and graphical interpretation.

•Convert between SI units using dimensional analysis and metric prefixes
•Apply significant figure rules to measurements and calculations
•Resolve vectors into components and add vectors using trigonometry
+1 more objectives

Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension

Describe and predict motion in one dimension using displacement, velocity, acceleration, kinematic equations, and free-fall analysis.

•Distinguish between distance and displacement, speed and velocity, and describe their relationships
•Derive and apply the four kinematic equations for uniformly accelerated motion
•Analyze free-fall motion using the acceleration due to gravity
+1 more objectives

Two-Dimensional Motion and Vectors

Extend kinematics to two dimensions through projectile motion analysis, vector decomposition, and relative motion in different reference frames.

•Decompose projectile motion into independent horizontal and vertical components
•Calculate range, maximum height, and time of flight for projectiles launched at any angle
•Apply relative velocity to solve problems involving motion in different reference frames
+1 more objectives

Forces and Newton's Laws

Analyze forces using free-body diagrams, apply Newton's three laws to systems in equilibrium and under acceleration, and model friction quantitatively.

•Draw and interpret free-body diagrams for objects subject to multiple forces
•Apply Newton's second law to calculate net force, mass, or acceleration
•Distinguish between static and kinetic friction and apply friction coefficient models
+1 more objectives

Work, Energy, and Power

Define work as a force-displacement product, develop kinetic and potential energy concepts, apply conservation of energy, and quantify power.

•Calculate work done by constant and variable forces, including forces at angles
•Apply the work-energy theorem to relate net work to changes in kinetic energy
•Use conservation of mechanical energy to solve problems involving height changes and springs
+1 more objectives

Momentum and Collisions

Define momentum and impulse, apply conservation of momentum to elastic and inelastic collisions, and analyze real-world collision scenarios.

•Calculate momentum and impulse for objects and systems
•Apply the impulse-momentum theorem to relate force, time, and momentum change
•Use conservation of momentum to solve elastic and inelastic collision problems
+1 more objectives

Circular Motion and Gravitation

Analyze uniform circular motion through centripetal acceleration and force, apply Newton's law of universal gravitation, and connect Kepler's laws to orbital mechanics.

•Calculate centripetal acceleration and identify the forces providing it in various scenarios
•Apply Newton's law of universal gravitation to determine gravitational force between masses
•Use Kepler's laws to describe planetary orbits and relate orbital period to radius
+1 more objectives

Simple Harmonic Motion and Waves

Analyze oscillatory systems including springs and pendulums, derive the properties of simple harmonic motion, and extend these ideas to traveling waves and superposition.

•Describe simple harmonic motion and identify restoring forces in spring and pendulum systems
•Calculate period, frequency, amplitude, and energy in oscillating systems
•Distinguish transverse from longitudinal waves and relate wavelength, frequency, and speed
+1 more objectives

Investigate sound as a longitudinal mechanical wave, analyze the factors affecting its speed, and apply resonance, the Doppler effect, and intensity to real-world phenomena.

•Describe sound as a longitudinal pressure wave and explain how it propagates through different media
•Calculate the speed of sound in various media and apply the wave equation to sound
•Explain resonance in open and closed pipes and relate harmonic frequencies to pipe length
+1 more objectives

Light and Optics

Explore the electromagnetic spectrum, apply the laws of reflection and refraction, analyze image formation by mirrors and lenses, and investigate diffraction and interference as evidence of light's wave nature.

•Describe the electromagnetic spectrum and identify the properties common to all electromagnetic waves
•Apply the law of reflection and Snell's law of refraction to predict light behavior at boundaries
•Use ray diagrams and the thin lens/mirror equation to locate and characterize images
+1 more objectives

Explore electric charge, Coulomb's law, electric fields, and electric potential energy to build the foundation for understanding circuits and electromagnetism.

•Describe electric charge, conservation of charge, and the mechanisms of charging by contact, friction, and induction
•Apply Coulomb's law to calculate the electrostatic force between point charges
•Map electric field lines for point charges and parallel plates, and calculate field strength
+1 more objectives

Electric Circuits

Analyze current, voltage, and resistance in DC circuits using Ohm's law, compare series and parallel configurations, calculate power dissipation, and apply Kirchhoff's rules.

•Define current, voltage, and resistance and relate them through Ohm's law
•Calculate equivalent resistance and current distribution in series and parallel circuits
•Apply Kirchhoff's junction and loop rules to analyze complex circuits
+1 more objectives

Magnetism and Electromagnetism

Investigate magnetic fields, the force on moving charges and current-carrying wires, electromagnetic induction, and the principles behind generators, motors, and transformers.

•Describe magnetic fields produced by permanent magnets, current-carrying wires, and solenoids
•Calculate the magnetic force on moving charges and current-carrying conductors
•Explain electromagnetic induction and apply Faraday's law to calculate induced EMF
+1 more objectives

Survey the revolutionary discoveries of the twentieth century: the photoelectric effect, wave-particle duality, atomic spectra, nuclear physics, and the equivalence of mass and energy.

•Explain the photoelectric effect and how it demonstrates the particle nature of light
•Describe wave-particle duality and the de Broglie wavelength of matter
•Relate atomic emission spectra to quantized energy levels in atoms
+1 more objectives

Physics. Distinguished Level of Achievement. TEKS §112.44 aligned. Prerequisite: Chemistry.