High Physical Science

SEGMENT 1

Module One—Motion

• Applying scientific method and scientific inquiry
• Describe motion in terms of speed, velocity, and acceleration
• Apply Newton’s laws of motion to real-world situations
• Explore the magnitude and range of the four fundamental forces
• Calculate work and mechanical power

Module Two—Electricity

• Apply the law of conservation of energy
• Calculate changes in energy of a system
• Describe the basis of an electric charge
• Design and describe electrical circuits and their components
• Apply Ohm’s law to relate current, voltage, and resistance
• Describe the relationship between electricity and magnetism

Module Three—Waves

• Describe the properties of waves, including energy and matter
• Relate the frequency and amplitude of sound waves to pitch and volume
• Describe the reflection and refraction of sound waves
• Describe the Doppler effect
• Describe the properties of electromagnetic waves
• Relate frequency, wavelength, and energy to electromagnetic waves along the spectrum
• Discuss applications of electromagnetic waves

 

SEGMENT 2

Module Four—Classifying Matter

• Describe the particle arrangement in the four states of matter
• Differentiate between elements, compounds, and mixtures
• Describe the forms of heat transfer
• Explain physical and chemical changes in matter
• Describe changes to the atomic model over time
• Identify elements based on subatomic particles and location on the periodic table

Module Five—Chemical Properties

• Identify the number of valence electrons in an atom and explain their role in chemical bonding
• Explain the differences between ionic bonds and covalent bonds
• Interpret the chemical formula for molecules
• Describe the properties of water based on its molecular structure and interactions with other water molecules
• Explain what it means to be an acid and a base
• Use acid and base indicators to determine pH and describe what the pH value means

Module Six—Reactions

• Interpret chemical equations
• Classify chemical reactions as combustion, synthesis and decomposition reactions, single and double replacement reactions, acid-base reactions, and oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions
• Describe the chemical reaction and function of photosynthesis and cellular respiration
• Describe the energy in chemical reactions and distinguish between endothermic and exothermic reactions
• Discuss the relationship between temperature, concentration, and catalysts on the rate of a chemical reaction.
• Describe the properties of radioactive atomic nuclei to stable nuclei
• Explain the difference between nuclear reactions and chemical reactions

Household items for lab experiments

Besides engaging students in challenging curriculum, the course guides students to reflect on their learning and evaluate their progress through a variety of assessments. Assessments can be in the form of practice lessons, multiple choice questions, writing assignments, projects, research papers, oral assessments, and discussions. This course will use the state-approved grading scale. Each course contains a mandatory final exam or culminating project that will be weighted at 20% of the student’s overall grade.***

***Proctored exams can be requested by FLVS at any time and for any reason in an effort to ensure academic integrity. When taking the exam to assess a student’s integrity, the exam must be passed with at least a 59.5% in order to earn credit for the course.  

To achieve success, students are expected to submit work in each course weekly. Students can learn at their own pace; however, “any pace” still means that students must make progress in the course every week. To measure learning, students complete self-checks, practice lessons, multiple choice questions, projects, discussion-based assessments, and discussions. Students are expected to maintain regular contact with teachers; the minimum requirement is monthly. When teachers, students, and parents work together, students are successful.