Curriculum Map

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

Early Units (Foundation)

Building Skills

Advanced Concepts

Capstone/Synthesis

Measurement, Units, and Mathematical Tools

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

3-4 days

Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension

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

4-5 days

Two-Dimensional Motion and Vectors

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

4-5 days

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.

5-6 days

Work, Energy, and Power

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

4-5 days

Momentum and Collisions

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

4-5 days

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.

4-5 days

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.

4-5 days

Sound

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.

4-5 days

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.

5-6 days

Electrostatics

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

4-5 days

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.

5-6 days

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.

4-5 days

Modern Physics

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.

4-5 days

Learning Progression

This course is designed to be taken sequentially. Earlier units establish foundational concepts that later units build upon. While you can explore units in any order, following the numbered sequence provides the most coherent learning experience.