Middle School

Forces and motion (Newton’s laws of motion, gravity, friction, and inertia), speed, velocity, and acceleration, simple machines (levers, pulleys, inclined planes), energy forms and transformations (kinetic, potential, thermal, electrical, and sound energy), properties of matter (density, mass, volume, and states of matter), and the basics of space science (planets, the sun, moon phases, and gravity in the solar system). 

Students will be asked to recall facts about physics and physicists. They will also be expected to solve unwise problems that require an understanding of fundamental physical laws. 

Ex: Newton’s second law of motion states that the force of an object equals mass times what quantity?

‍A: Acceleration  

High School

Classical mechanics (Newton’s laws of motion, kinematics, forces, friction, circular motion), work, energy, and power (kinetic and potential energy, conservation of energy, mechanical advantage), momentum and collisions, thermodynamics (heat transfer, entropy, laws of thermodynamics), waves and optics (wave-particle duality, reflection, refraction, interference), electricity and magnetism (Ohm’s Law, circuits, electric fields, magnetic fields, electromagnetism), modern physics (quantum mechanics, special relativity, atomic models), fluid mechanics (pressure, buoyancy, Bernoulli’s principle), and applications of physics in engineering, space exploration, and technology. 

Students are expected to demonstrate a conceptual understanding of major physics principles, apply formulas to solve straightforward problems, and explain real-world phenomena using appropriate scientific reasoning, but detailed derivations and calculus-based solutions will not be asked. 

Ex: Why does a metal spoon feel colder than a wooden spoon when both are left in the same room?

‍A: Metal conducts heat away from your hand more quickly.