Our Curriculum › Science › 11th Grade
Physics
A year of high school physics with math: motion, forces, energy, circuits, waves, circular and projectile motion, heat, fluids, optics, torque and magnetism. About the first 60 days teach new ideas; the rest is applied projects, two capstones, and review.
180 lessons
One a day for a school year
10 units
Each opens to its lessons
24 real-world projects
Plus 2 capstone projects
Standards
NGSS high school science
What's taught, unit by unit
Motion & forcesDays 1–10
Speed, velocity and acceleration, Newton's three laws including F = ma, momentum and its conservation, gravity, Coulomb's law for electric force, and how the two force laws compare.
- 1 · Welcome to Physics: The Science of Motion and Energy
- 2 · Describing Motion: Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration
- 3 · Newton's First Law: Inertia
- 4 · Newton's Second Law: F = ma
- 5 · Newton's Third Law: Action and Reaction
- 6 · Momentum and Its Conservation
- 7 · Gravitational Force Fields
- 8 · Electrostatic Force Fields: Coulomb's Law
- 9 · Comparing Gravitational and Electrostatic Forces
Plus 1 review day, not listed.
Energy & electric circuitsDays 11–23
Work, kinetic and potential energy, conservation of energy, power, then electric charge, current, voltage, resistance, Ohm's law, series and parallel circuits, and electric power.
- 11 · Work and Energy
- 12 · Kinetic Energy
- 13 · Potential Energy
- 14 · Conservation of Energy
- 15 · Power: The Rate of Energy Transfer
- 16 · Introducing Electric Charge
- 17 · Electric Current: Electrons in Motion
- 18 · Voltage and Resistance
- 19 · Ohm's Law
- 21 · Series Circuits
- 22 · Parallel Circuits
- 23 · Electric Power in Circuits
Plus 1 review day, not listed.
Waves, light, circular & projectile motionDays 24–40
Transverse and longitudinal waves, wave speed, the electromagnetic spectrum, reflection and refraction, the photoelectric effect, circular motion, projectiles, sound, the Doppler effect, interference and resonance.
- 24 · Introducing Waves: Transverse and Longitudinal
- 25 · Quantitative Wave Properties
- 26 · The Electromagnetic Spectrum
- 27 · Reflection and Refraction of Waves
- 28 · Introducing the Photoelectric Effect
- 29 · Wave-Particle Duality Introduced
- 31 · Uniform Circular Motion
- 32 · Calculating Centripetal Force
- 33 · Projectile Motion: Horizontal Launch
- 34 · Projectile Motion: Angled Launch
- 35 · Introducing Sound Waves
- 36 · The Doppler Effect
- 37 · Wave Interference: Constructive and Destructive
- 38 · Standing Waves and Resonance
- 39 · Mixed Practice: Circular Motion, Projectiles, and Waves
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
Heat, fluids, optics, torque & magnetismDays 41–60
Heat transfer and Q = mcΔT, fluid pressure and buoyancy, lenses and mirrors, torque and simple machines, magnets, electromagnetism and induction, with a few early applied projects (sports, roller coasters, generators, music).
- 41 · Introducing Thermal Physics
- 42 · Methods of Heat Transfer
- 43 · Quantitative Thermal Energy Calculations
- 44 · Fluids: Pressure and Buoyancy
- 46 · Introducing Optics: Lenses and Mirrors
- 47 · Applied Project: Physics in Sports
- 48 · Applied Project: Physics in Roller Coasters
- 49 · Mixed Practice: Thermal Physics, Fluids, and Optics
- 51 · Torque and Rotational Motion
- 52 · Simple Machines and Mechanical Advantage
- 53 · Introducing Magnetism
- 54 · Electromagnetism: Connecting Electricity and Magnetism
- 56 · Electromagnetic Induction
- 57 · Applied Project: Physics in Electric Generators and Motors
- 58 · Applied Project: Physics in Musical Instruments
- 59 · Mixed Practice: Rotational Motion, Magnetism, and Induction
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Applied projects & mixed practiceDays 61–80
Short projects applying physics to bridges, solar panels, space travel, photography and skating, plus an explainer on Newton's laws, mixed problem sets, common-error lessons, and timed practice assessments. No new topics.
- 61 · Applied Project: Physics in Bridge Engineering
- 62 · Applied Project: Physics in Solar Panels
- 63 · Explainer Project: Teaching Newton's Three Laws
- 64 · Practicing a Comprehensive Mixed Physics Review Set
- 66 · Applied Project: Physics in Space Travel
- 67 · Reviewing Common Errors in Circuit Calculations
- 68 · Reviewing Common Errors in Projectile Motion
- 69 · Timed Practice Assessment: Forces, Energy, and Circuits
- 71 · Applied Project: Physics in Photography
- 72 · Applied Project: Physics in Roller Skating and Skateboarding
- 73 · Explainer Project: Teaching Conservation of Energy
- 74 · Practicing a Comprehensive Mixed Physics Review Set 2
- 76 · Applied Project: Physics in Amusement Park Rides
- 77 · Reviewing Common Errors in Wave Calculations
- 78 · Practicing a Comprehensive Mixed Physics Review Set 3
- 79 · Timed Practice Assessment: Waves, Magnetism, and Optics
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Halfway review & more projectsDays 81–95
A four-day cumulative review of the first half, a timed assessment, a growth reflection, then wind turbine, medical imaging and electric vehicle projects, two explainers, and mixed practice.
- 81 · Cumulative Review: Forces and Motion
- 82 · Cumulative Review: Energy and Circuits
- 83 · Cumulative Review: Waves and the EM Spectrum
- 84 · Cumulative Review: Rotational Motion, Magnetism, and Thermal Physics
- 85 · Timed Practice Assessment: The Halfway Comprehensive
- 86 · Halfway-Year Growth Reflection
- 87 · Explainer Project: Teaching Circuits
- 88 · Applied Project: Physics in Wind Turbines
- 89 · Comprehensive Mixed Physics Review, Set 4
- 91 · Applied Project: Physics in Medical Imaging
- 92 · Applied Project: Physics in Electric Vehicles
- 93 · Explainer Project: Teaching Wave-Particle Duality
- 94 · Practicing a Comprehensive Mixed Physics Review Set 5
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
First capstone projectDays 96–102
Choose a real-world physics field, research its physics, solve original applied problems, write it up, then prepare and deliver a presentation to family.
- 96 · Capstone Prep: Choosing a Real-World Physics Field
- 97 · Capstone: Researching Physics Foundations
- 98 · Capstone: Solving Applied Problems
- 99 · Capstone: Writing Up the Project
- 101 · Capstone: Presentation Prep
- 102 · Capstone: Presentation Delivery
Plus 1 review day, not listed.
More projects & practiceDays 103–120
Weather, 3D printing, construction, diving and noise-canceling headphone projects, an induction explainer, error-checking lessons, mixed review sets, and two timed practice assessments.
- 103 · Applied Project: Physics in Weather and Meteorology
- 104 · Practicing a Comprehensive Mixed Physics Review Set 6
- 106 · Applied Project: Physics in 3D Printing
- 107 · Reviewing Common Errors in Energy Conservation Problems
- 108 · Practicing a Comprehensive Mixed Physics Review Set 7
- 109 · Timed Practice Assessment: Thermal, Waves, and Rotational Motion
- 111 · Applied Project: Physics in Building Construction
- 112 · Applied Project: Physics in Diving and Swimming
- 113 · Reviewing Common Errors in Newton's Laws Application
- 114 · Practicing a Comprehensive Mixed Physics Review Set 8
- 116 · Applied Project: Physics in Noise-Canceling Headphones
- 117 · Explainer Project: Teaching Electromagnetic Induction
- 118 · Practicing a Comprehensive Mixed Physics Review Set 9
- 119 · Timed Practice Assessment: A Full-Year Mixed Set
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Second capstone projectDays 121–130
A deeper second project in a new real-world field: research the formulas, solve problems step by step, draw labeled diagrams, write a conclusion, and present with plain-language analogies.
- 121 · Capstone Prep: Choosing a Deeper Real-World Physics Field
- 122 · Capstone: Researching Foundations
- 123 · Capstone: Solving Applied Problems Step by Step
- 124 · Capstone: Building Diagrams
- 126 · Capstone: Final Write-Up with a Real-World Conclusion
- 127 · Capstone: Presentation Prep with Plain-Language Analogies
- 128 · Capstone: Delivering Your Presentation with a Diagram
- 129 · Practicing a Comprehensive Mixed Physics Review Set 10
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
Final review, projects & celebrationDays 131–180
Cumulative reviews, comprehensive timed practice finals, sports and technology projects (climbing, fireworks, skiing, elevators, drones), explainers, a year-end presentation and celebration days. Almost entirely review.
- 131 · Cumulative Review: Forces, Motion, and Energy
- 132 · Cumulative Review: Circuits, Magnetism, and Waves
- 133 · Cumulative Review: Thermal Physics, Fluids, and Optics
- 134 · Explainer Project: Teaching Wave Properties
- 136 · 2 Timed Practice Assessments, Part 1: The Comprehensive Final Prep
- 137 · 2 Timed Practice Assessments, Part 2: The Comprehensive Final Prep
- 138 · Common Error Review: Physics's Trickiest Topics
- 139 · Final Year Reflection: My Year in Physics
- 141 · Applied Project: Physics in Rock Climbing
- 142 · Applied Project: Physics in Fireworks Displays
- 143 · Reviewing Common Errors in Optics Problems
- 144 · Practicing a Comprehensive Mixed Physics Review Set 11
- 146 · Applied Project: Physics in Skiing and Snowboarding
- 147 · Explainer Project: Teaching Projectile Motion
- 148 · Practicing a Comprehensive Mixed Physics Review Set 12
- 149 · Timed Practice Assessment 2: Optics, Projectiles, and Review
- 151 · Applied Project: Physics in Archery and Projectile Sports
- 152 · Applied Project: Physics in Elevators
- 153 · Reviewing Common Errors in Torque and Rotational Motion
- 154 · Practicing a Comprehensive Mixed Physics Review Set 13
- 156 · Applied Project: Physics in Drones
- 157 · Explainer Project: Teaching Simple Machines
- 158 · Practicing a Comprehensive Mixed Physics Review Set 14
- 159 · Timed Practice Assessment: Torque, Simple Machines, and General Review
- 161 · Full-Year Physics Cumulative Review, Part 1
- 162 · Full-Year Physics Cumulative Review, Part 2
- 163 · Full-Year Physics Cumulative Review, Part 3
- 164 · Timed Practice Assessment: The Comprehensive Final
- 166 · Explainer Project: Teaching Energy Transformations
- 167 · Full-Year Physics Growth Reflection
- 168 · Practicing a Comprehensive Mixed Physics Review Set 15
- 169 · Looking Ahead: Earth & Space Science Next Year
- 171 · Final Review: Forces, Motion, Energy, and Circuits
- 172 · Final Review: Waves, Magnetism, Thermal Physics, Fluids, and Optics
- 173 · Preparing Your Year-End Physics Presentation
- 174 · Delivering Your Year-End Physics Presentation
- 175 · Celebration Day: Reflecting on a Year of Physics!
- 176 · Celebration Day: A Favorite Problem Challenge
- 177 · Celebration Day: Physics All Around You
- 178 · Looking Ahead: Seismic Waves, Telescopes, and Storms
- 179 · Final Reflection: My Year in Physics
- 180 · Congratulations! You Completed Physics!
Plus 8 review days, not listed.
By the end of the year, your child can
- Solve motion and force problems using Newton's laws and momentum
- Use conservation of energy to analyze work, power and moving objects
- Analyze series and parallel circuits using Ohm's law
- Calculate wave speed and explain sound, light, reflection and refraction
- Apply physics to a real-world field in a researched, presented project
Other 11th Grade subjects: Algebra II · English 11: Literature · English 11: Composition & Grammar · US Government & Civics