The Complete Guide to High School Physics (Grades 9–12)
Grade 9 Physics: Foundations
High school physics begins in Grade 9 with core topics that introduce students to the building blocks of the subject. Some schools call this “Physical Science,” while others treat it as a full physics course.
What students learn in Grade 9:
Motion and Forces: Speed, velocity, acceleration, Newton’s Laws, free fall, and friction.
Energy: Kinetic and potential energy, conservation laws, work, and power.
Waves and Sound: Frequency, amplitude, wavelength, Doppler Effect, and everyday wave behavior.
Light and Optics: Reflection, refraction, lenses, and the electromagnetic spectrum.
Electricity and Magnetism: Charge, circuits, Ohm’s Law, static electricity, and simple electromagnetism.
Scientific Practices: Graphing motion, designing experiments, and building simple circuits.
Grade 10 Physics: Building Rigor
In Grade 10, physics becomes more mathematical. Algebra, ratios, and trigonometry start to play a stronger role. Students dive deeper into quantitative problem-solving and begin to see how formulas explain the world.
Key learning areas in Grade 10:
Kinematics in Depth: Equations of motion, projectile motion, and relative velocity.
Dynamics: Free-body diagrams, tension, inclined planes, pulleys, and equilibrium.
Work, Power, and Energy: Conservation of energy, energy diagrams, and efficiency.
Momentum and Collisions: Elastic vs. inelastic collisions, impulse, and real-world examples like airbags.
Circular Motion & Gravitation: Centripetal force, orbital velocity, satellite motion, and Newton’s Law of Gravitation.
Waves and Oscillations: Springs, pendulums, resonance, and standing waves.
Electricity and Magnetism: Ohm’s Law, series/parallel circuits, and basic electromagnetic forces.
Scientific Inquiry: Lab investigations with motion sensors, collision carts, and circuits.
Grade 11 Physics: Advancing Concepts
Grade 11 is often the year of Honors Physics or Pre-AP Physics, where students take on advanced mechanics, electromagnetism, and wave phenomena with stronger math skills.
Major focus areas:
Advanced Kinematics & Dynamics: Vector resolution, angled projectiles, Atwood’s machine, non-inertial frames.
Energy and Momentum (2D): Elastic/inelastic collisions in two dimensions, springs, and energy conservation.
Circular Motion & Gravity: Roller coasters, vertical circles, planetary orbits, and escape velocity.
Rotational Motion (Intro): Torque, moment of inertia, and angular acceleration.
Electrostatics: Coulomb’s law, electric fields, and potential energy of charges.
DC Circuits: Kirchhoff’s rules, power dissipation, and multi-resistor networks.
Magnetism & Induction: Right-hand rules, force on a moving charge, Faraday’s Law basics.
Wave Phenomena & Optics: Interference, diffraction, Snell’s Law, lenses, and mirrors.
Modern Physics (Intro): Quantum basics, nuclear decay, and relativity concepts.
Grade 12 Physics: Mastering the Sciences
By Grade 12, physics is taught at a near-college level. This is where AP Physics (1, 2, or C) or advanced electives in modern physics are introduced. Students now see the universe through the lens of both classical and modern science.
Core topics in Grade 12:
Thermodynamics: Laws of thermodynamics, entropy, heat engines, and ideal gases.
Advanced Electromagnetism: Capacitors, inductors, AC circuits, Faraday’s Law, and Maxwell’s equations (intro).
Electronics: RC circuits, diodes, transistors, and introductory digital electronics.
Wave Phenomena & Optics: Double-slit experiment, diffraction, polarization, and fiber optics.
Modern Physics: Photoelectric effect, de Broglie wavelength, quantum mechanics basics, special relativity, and nuclear physics.
Nuclear Science: Radioactive decay, half-life, fission, fusion, and real-world nuclear applications.
Astrophysics & Cosmology (Optional): Redshift, Hubble’s Law, Big Bang Theory, and star life cycles.
Advanced Labs: RC circuit investigations, laser diffraction, photoelectric simulations, and nuclear decay models.