Pacing Guide Template
Physics Honors
Quarter 1 / Quarter 2 / Quarter 3 / Quarter 4Intro and Constant Velocity (17-20 Days) / Newton’s 1st and 3rd Law of Motion – Statics (13-15 Days) / Circular Motion and Universal Gravitation (18-20 Days) / Electrostatics and Circuits (18 Days)
Constant Acceleration (14-15 Days) / Newton’s 2nd Law and Friction – Dynamics (13-15 Days) / Energy and Work (18-20 Days) / Sound and Waves (10 days)
Vectors and Projectiles (14-16 Days) / Light and Color (6-8 Days) / Impulse and Momentum (18-20 Days) / Liquids and Gasses (8 Days)
(Semester 1)
Unit 1 – Introduction and Constant VelocityGraphical Analysis – Deriving Equations from Graphs
Metric Measurement and Unit Conversion
Trigonometry Equations and Functions
Constant Velocity Lab (Buggy Lab)
Position vs. Time Graphs
Motion Maps
Constant Velocity Word Problems
Unit 2 – Constant Acceleration
Velocity vs. Time Graphs
Position is the area under the V vs. T Curve
Acceleration vs. Time
Horizontal Acceleration Word Problems
Gravity Accelerates objects downward at 9.8 m/s²
Free Fall Lab (Reaction Time)
Free Fall Word Problems
Unit 3 - Vectors and Projectiles
Vector and Scalar Measurements
Vector Word Problems
Projectiles Have Velocities in the X and Y directions
Determine X and Y velocities from Vector
Projectile Word Problems
Projectile Lab (Marble Lab)
Unit 4 – Newton’s 1st and 3rd Law - Statics
Constant Velocity Demonstration (Dry Ice or Air Hockey Puck)
Free Body/Force Diagrams
Identify Forces Acting On Individual Bodies
Newton’s 3rd Law – Identify Reactionary Forces
Sum of the Forces Statements/Equations
Static Word Problems
Unit 5 – Newton’s 2nd Law and Friction
Net force is equal to Mass x Acceleration (F = ma)
Word Problems using Net Force Equations
Static Friction vs. Kinetic Friction
Friction Word Problems
Inclined Plane Diagrams
Word Problems for Inclined Planes
Unit 6 – Light and Color
The Ray Model of Light
The Speed of Light and its Calculation
The Wave Model of Light
Diffraction
Wavelength and Frequency (Spectrum)
Color
Polarization of Light
(Semester 2)
Unit 7 – Circular Motion and Universal GravitationLinear Speed vs. Angular Speed
Change in direction results in Centripetal Acceleration
Centripetal Acceleration = Linear Speed Squared divided by the Radius
Centripetal Force is Center Seeking – Perpendicular to Linear Speed
Centripetal Force = Centripetal Acceleration x Mass
Object travels in straight line without this Force
Centripetal Force Word Problems
Differentiate between Centripetal Force and Centrifugal Force
Frequency and Period in Relation to Angular Speed
Universal Gravitation Equation
Satellite Motion Word Problems
Unit 8 – Energy and Work
Energy is the Ability of an object to do work
Work = Force x Distance
Forms of Mechanical Energy include Kinetic, Potential, and Elastic Energy
Other forms of Energy include Chemical, Nuclear, and Solar
Gravitational Potential Energy = Mass x Acceleration of Gravity x Height
Kinetic Energy = Mass x Velocity Squared divided by Two
Hooke’s Law Lab (Spring Constant)
Elastic Potential = Spring Constant x Distance Squared divided by Two
Mechanical Energy Word Problems
Law of Conservation of Energy
Molecular Motion is responsible for Temperature (Heat is Kinetic Energy)
Quantitative and Qualitative Energy Bar Graphs – Initial and Final
Conservation of Energy Word Problems
Power is the rate at which Work is done
Power Word Problems
Mousetrap Cars Project
Unit 9 – Impulse and Momentum
Momentum is Inertia in Motion
Momentum = Mass x Velocity
Impulse is the change in an Object’s Momentum
Impulse = F x t
Momentum is Conserved in all Collisions without outside interaction
Kinetic Energy is conserved in Elastic Collisions
Energy is lost from the system in Inelastic Collisions
Conservation of Momentum Word Problems
Unit 10 - Electricity
Like Charges Repel – Opposite Charges Attract
Size of charge and distance between charges determines magnitude of Force
Coulomb’s Law Word Problems
Electric Fields are areas around charged objects where other charges are affected
Electric Potential is a measure of charge’s ability to store energy in an Electric Field
Voltage is a measure of Electric Potential
Electric Potential Energy is actual Energy Stored by a charge in a field
Current is rate at which charge flows through a medium – 1 Ampere = 1 Coulomb per Second
Ohm’s Law – Voltage = Current x Resistance
Adding Resistors in Series
Adding Resistors in Parallel
Simple Circuit Diagrams
Power = Current x Voltage
Unit 11 – Sound and Waves
Sound is a Longitudinal Wave
Light is a Transverse Wave
Parts of a Wave: Trough, Crest, Amplitude, Wavelength
Inverse Relationship between Frequency and Wavelength
Wave Calculations and Diagrams Word Problems
Wave Interference: Constructive vs. Destructive
Standing Waves result from Constructive and Destructive interference of Waves traveling in Opposite Directions
Most Waves require a Medium
Electromagnetic Radiation does not Require a Medium
Unit 12 – States of Matter
Solids, Liquids and Gasses
Pressure = Force divided by Area
Buoyancy
Bernoulli’s Principle