Physical Science (MS) (1st semester)

Course Description\nPhysical Science (MS) is an interactive and engaging course that introduces students to the sciences of chemistry and physics. The course begins with a unit on the nature of science and a review of measurement. Students will explore the principles of experimental design. Students apply these skills to the science of physics by describing the concepts of motion, force, work, and energy. Students apply their knowledge of these topics through problems, explanations, graphs, and virtual lab activities. The course proceeds with the study of chemical principles, exposing students to topics such as the properties of matter, the structure of the atom, the formation of bonds, and the properties of solutions. They will examine how humans apply these processes in using resources and the pollution that often results.\n\nCourse Breakdown\n\n Scientists of the past\n Scientists of the future\n Hypothesis\n Analyzing data\n The scientific method\n Theory vs. law\n The metric system\n Lab equipment\n Accuracy vs. precision\n Motion\n Velocity and acceleration\n Forces\n\nThree laws of motion\nContact vs. non-contact forces\nFriction\nGravity\nF = ma\nMass and weight\nEnergy and work\nMachines\nPotential and kinetic energy\nElectricity\nCircuits\nWaves\nReflection and refraction\nAbsorption and dispersion\n\nCourse Goals\n Explain the origins of science and how it has developed.\n Distinguish between velocity and acceleration.\n Identify how to apply the scientific method. Describe the importance of Newton's Three Laws of Motion.\n Distinguish between potential and kinetic energy.\n Analyze the relationship between wavelength, frequency, and velocity.\n Explain how friction affects motion.