PS: Physical Science

PS.1: Measure and determine the physical quantities of an object or unknown sample using correct prefixes and metric system units (e.g., mass, charge, pressure, volume, temperature, density)

Density Laboratory

PS.2: Determine and record measurements correctly using significant digits and scientific notation

Unit Conversions 2 - Scientific Notation and Significant Digits

PS.5: Use trigonometric functions to make indirect measurements

Estimating Population Size

PS.7: Relate gravitational force to mass and distance

Gravitational Force
Pith Ball Lab

PS.8: Compare and calculate electrostatic forces acting within and between atoms to the gravitational forces acting between atoms

Coulomb Force (Static)
Gravitational Force
Pith Ball Lab

PS.9: Describe and measure motion in terms of position, displacement time, and the derived quantities of velocity and acceleration

Free-Fall Laboratory
Golf Range
Shoot the Monkey

PS.10: Determine constant velocity and uniform acceleration mathematically and graphically

Atwood Machine
Free-Fall Laboratory
Golf Range
Shoot the Monkey

PS.11: Plot and interpret displacement-time and velocity-time graphs and explain how these two types of graphs are interrelated

Distance-Time and Velocity-Time Graphs
Free-Fall Laboratory

PS.14: Add and resolve vectors graphically and mathematically to determine resultant/equilibrant of concurrent force vectors

Adding Vectors
Vectors

PS.15: Calculate centripetal force and acceleration in circular motion

Uniform Circular Motion

PS.16: Analyze circular motion to solve problems relating to angular velocity, acceleration, momentum, and torque

Torque and Moment of Inertia

PS.17: Analyze simple harmonic motion

Pendulum Clock
Period of Mass on a Spring
Period of a Pendulum
Simple Harmonic Motion

PS.18: Demonstrate the independence of perpendicular components in projectile motion and predict the optimum angles and velocities of projectiles

Golf Range
Shoot the Monkey

PS.19: Explain quantitatively the conversion between kinetic and potential energy for objects in motion (e.g., roller coaster, pendulum)

Energy Conversion in a System
Energy of a Pendulum
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Roller Coaster Physics

PS.20: Calculate the mechanical advantage and efficiency of simple machines and explain the loss of efficiency using the dynamics of the machines

Inclined Plane - Simple Machine
Pulley Lab

PS.21: Explain and calculate the conversion of one form of energy to another (e.g., chemical to thermal, thermal to mechanical, magnetic to electrical)

Energy Conversion in a System
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects

PS.22: Analyze energy transformations using the law of conservation of energy

Chemical Changes
Energy Conversion in a System

PS.23: Apply the law of conservation of momentum to collisions in one and two dimensions, including angular momentum

2D Collisions
Air Track

PS.25: Determine the relationships among amplitude, wavelength, frequency, period, and velocity in different media

Ripple Tank

PS.26: Evaluate how different media affect the properties of reflection, refraction, diffraction, polarization, and interference

Basic Prism
Longitudinal Waves
Refraction
Ripple Tank

PS.27: Investigate and construct diagrams to illustrate the laws of reflection and refraction

Basic Prism
Refraction

PS.28: Draw constructive and destructive interference patterns and explain how the principle of superposition applies to wave propagation

Ripple Tank
Sound Beats and Sine Waves

PS.29: Describe observed electrostatic phenomena, calculate Coulomb's law, and test charge pole, electric field, and magnetic field

Coulomb Force (Static)
Pith Ball Lab

PS.30: Construct basic electric circuits and solve problems involving voltage, current, resistance, power, and energy

Advanced Circuits
Circuits

PS.31: Describe the relationship of electricity, magnetism, and inductance as aspects of a single electromagnetic force

Electromagnetic Induction
Magnetic Induction

PS.32: Compare properties of electromagnetic and mechanical waves

Ripple Tank

PS.35: Analyze the Doppler effect of a moving wave source

Doppler Shift
Doppler Shift Advanced