Physics 1
In this introductory physics course, students master the basic tools of physics. By considering questions like “What is sound and how does it travel through the air?” or “What is momentum and how does it apply to collisions?” students begin to appreciate that God has not only created a vast and varied world, but He has also created rules which every atom in the universe obeys. In Physics 1, students examine the laws that God has created as well as the way these laws interact with and affect their everyday lives. As they learn math principles in Algebra 1, students strengthen their analytical skills by applying those principles to real world situations in physics to solve for distance, force, energy, wavelengths and more. They engage in hands-on laboratory activities, such as finding the speed of a Hot Wheels car on a track, and then present their findings in formal lab reports. The concepts taught here serve an an excellent foundation for concepts taught in the disciplines of chemistry and biology. This course is sufficient preparation for college level studies in the area of introductory physics.
Topics include: the scientific method, motion, energy and momentum; types of matter and their composition; phase changes; volume and density; heat and temperature; waves, sound and light; DC circuits; fields and magnetism; and geometric optics.
Prerequisites: Algebra 1 (previously or concurrently)
Suggested Grade Levels: 9–12