United States · Common Core State Standards
11th Grade Physics
A comprehensive exploration of the fundamental laws governing matter and energy through the lens of classical and modern physics. Students engage in rigorous mathematical modeling and inquiry based laboratory investigations to solve complex engineering problems.
Kinematics and the Geometry of Motion
Students analyze the motion of objects in one and two dimensions using mathematical functions and graphical representations. This unit establishes the foundational language of physics through vectors and coordinate systems.
Developing the distinction between scalar and vector quantities while modeling constant velocity and acceleration. Students use motion maps and position time graphs to predict future states of a system.
Investigating how orthogonal components of motion operate independently yet simultaneously. Students predict the trajectories of objects launched at various angles.
Dynamics and the Causes of Motion
An investigation into Newton's Laws of Motion and the forces that change the state of a system. Students apply free body diagrams to solve complex equilibrium and non equilibrium problems.
Exploring the relationship between mass, force, and acceleration. Students define systems and identify internal versus external forces.
Extending dynamics to curved paths and the universal law of gravitation. Students model planetary orbits and centripetal forces in mechanical systems.
Conservation Laws in Mechanical Systems
Students explore the fundamental principles of energy and momentum conservation. This unit focuses on how energy is transferred and transformed during interactions.
Defining work as the mechanism of energy transfer and analyzing kinetic and potential energy within closed systems.
Analyzing collisions and explosions through the lens of momentum conservation. Students distinguish between elastic and inelastic interactions.
Waves, Light, and Optics
Investigating the behavior of mechanical and electromagnetic waves. Students explore resonance, interference, and the geometric optics of lenses and mirrors.
Examining the physics of periodic disturbances and the transmission of energy through mediums. Concepts include frequency, wavelength, and the Doppler effect.
Analyzing the behavior of light as it reflects and refracts at boundaries. Students construct ray diagrams for various optical instruments.
Electricity and Magnetism
Connecting the concepts of electric charge, fields, and circuits with magnetic phenomena. Students build and analyze DC circuits and explore electromagnetic induction.
Understanding the forces between stationary charges and the concept of electric potential. Students map field lines for various charge configurations.
Applying Ohm's Law and Kirchhoff's Rules to series and parallel circuits. Students also investigate the relationship between current and magnetic fields.
Thermodynamics and Modern Physics
A study of heat transfer, the laws of thermodynamics, and an introduction to quantum mechanics and relativity. Students evaluate the limits of classical physics.
Investigating internal energy, entropy, and the efficiency of thermal systems. Students analyze P-V diagrams for heat engine cycles.
Exploring the dual nature of light and matter, the photoelectric effect, and the implications of special relativity on time and space.