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NGSS Connections - Organized by Topic

Most sections of The Physics Classroom website are organized by topic. The topics roughly correlate with the types of units that physics teachers cover in their courses. This page is organized by those topics. For each topic, we have identified activites that target various dimensions of the Next Generation Science Standards and a link to the descriptions of such activities and the standards that they address.

For many of us Physics teachers, numerous concepts within our units are not included in the Next Generation Science Standards. For instance, you will find no references to Electric Circuits or Kinematics within the NGSS. Does this mean that a Physics Teacher should no longer include an Electric Circuits unit in their course? We think not. While there are no Disciplinary Core Ideas related to Electric Circuits, a teacher can include a Circuits unit within their course and still be mindful of the other two dimensions of NGSS - the Science and Engineering Practices and the Cross-Cutting Concepts. This page will help teachers make such connections.
 


 



Kinematics

Kinematics
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Developing and Using Models
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Patterns



Velocity-TIme Graphs
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Developing and Using Models; Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Patterns
 

 

Stopping Distance

  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Engaging in Argument from Evidence; Using Mathematical and Computational Thinking
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Cause and Effect
 
 


Newton's Laws of Motion

Rocket Sledder
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Forces and Motion (HS-PS2.A.1) 
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models; ​Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Cause and Effect


Friction
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Forces and Motion (HS-PS2.A.1) 
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations; Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Engaging in Argument from Evidence
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Cause and Effect


Skydiving
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Forces and Motion (HS-PS2.A.1) 
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Systems and System Models


Push It!
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Forces and Motion (HS-PS2.A.1) 
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Engaging in Argument from Evidence; Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Cause and Effect


Coffee Filter Physics
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Forces and Motion (HS-PS2.A.1) 
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Developing and Using Models; Engaging in Argument from Evidence; Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Cause and Effect; Stability and Change


Carts, Bricks, and Bands
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Forces and Motion (HS-PS2.A.1) 
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Using Mathematical and Computational Thinking; Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Cause and Effect; Stability and Change


 



Vectors and Projectiles

Up and Down
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Developing and Using Models; Engaging in Argument from Evidence
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Patterns



Maximizing the Range of a Projectile
  • Discplinary Core Idea: None
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Paterns; Cause and Effect


Juggling
  • Discplinary Core Idea: None
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Paterns
 



Forces in Two-Dimensions

None yet; but we have some planned. So check back later.

 



Momentum and Collisions

Egg Drop
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Forces and Motion (HS-PS2.A.2 and HS-PS2.A.3)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Stability and Change
  • Engineering and Technology Standards: Optimizing the Deisgn Solution
 

Marshmallow Launcher
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Forces and Motion (HS-PS2.A.3)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations; Analyzing and Interpreting Data​; Developing and Using Models; Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Cause and Effect; Patterns
 

Air Bag Inflation and Passenger Safety
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Forces and Motion (HS-PS2.A.3)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data​; Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions; Engaging in Argument from Evidence
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Cause and Effect; Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
 

Inelastic Collisions
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Forces and Motion (HS-PS2.A.2 and HS-PS2.A.3)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models; Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Developing and Using Models
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Systems and System Models


Elastic Collisions
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Forces and Motion (HS-PS2.A.2 and HS-PS2.A.3)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models; Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Developing and Using Models;  Analyzing and Interpreting Data​
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Systems and System Models
 

Collisions
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Forces and Motion (HS-PS2.A.3)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations;  Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Using Mathematical and Computational Thinking; Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Cause and Effect; Systems and System Models
 




Work and Energy  

Chart That Motion
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Defintions of Energy (HS-PS3.A.1) and Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer (HS-PS3.B.1) 
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Scale, Proportion, and Quantity; Energy: Flows, Cycles, and Conservation


It's All Uphill
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Defintions of Energy (HS-PS3.A.1) and Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer (HS-PS3.B.1) 
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions; Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Cause and Effect; Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
 

Hot Wheels Stopping Distance
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Defintions of Energy (HS-PS3.A.1) and Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer (HS-PS3.B.1) 
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Engaging in Argument from Evidence; Using Mathematical and Computational Thinking
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Cause and Effect; Energy and Matter
 

Energy on an Inclined Plane
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Definitions of Energy (HS-PS3.A.2)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Engaging in Argument from Evidence; Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  System and System Models; Energy and Matter



Bat-Ball Collision
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Definitions of Energy (HS-PS3.A.2)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models; Engaging in Argument from Evidence; Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking; Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Systems and System Models;  Energy and Matter
 


Roller Coaster Energy
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer (HS-PS3.B.2) and Energy in Chemical Processes and Everyday Life (HS-PS3.D.1)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models; Engaging in Argument from Evidence
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Systems and System Models;  Energy and Matter







Circular Motion and Gravitation  

Roller Coaster Loops
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer (HS-PS3.B.3)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking; Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Energy and Matter;  Structure and Function


Universal Gravitation: Gravitational Fields
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Types of Interactions (HS-PS2.B.1)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking; Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Systems and System Models; Patterns


Orbital Motion
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Earth and the Solar System (HS-ESS1.B.1)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Systems and System Models


Kepler's Law of Harmonies
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Earth and the Solar System (HS-ESS1.B.1)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Intepreting Data; Using Mathematical and Computational Thinking
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts: Patterns; Scale, Proportion, and Quantity


Weightlessness Training
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Forces and Motion (HS-PS2.A.1)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Intepreting Data; Developing and Using Models; Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Cause and Effect


 


Static Electricity  

Name That Charge
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Types of Interactions (HS-PS2.B.3)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Cause and Effect


Charge Interactions
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Types of Interactions (HS-PS2.B.3)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models; Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions; Engaging in Argument from Evidence; Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Patterns; Cause and Effect
 

Sticky Tape Experiments
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Types of Interactions (HS-PS2.B.2)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts: Cause and Effect
 


Polarization
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Types of Interactions (HS-PS2.B.3)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions; Developing and Using Models
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts: Patterns; Cause and Effect; Structure and Function
 


Coulomb's Law
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Types of Interactions (HS-PS2.B.1)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Developing and Using Models; Engaging in Argument from Evidence
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Patterns; Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
 


Electric Field Lines
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Types of Interactions (HS-PS2.B.2)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Patterns
 

 


Electric Circuits  

Wire Gauge and Characteristics
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Definitions of Energy (HS-PS3.A.4)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking; Analyzing and Interpreting Data
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Struture and Function; Cause and Effect
 


Voltage and Resistance
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Definitions of Energy (HS-PS3.A.4)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Struture and Function; Cause and Effect
 


Bulb A versus Bulb B
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Definitions of Energy (HS-PS3.A.4)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Engaging in Argument from Evidence; Analyzing and Interpreting Data
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Structure and Function; Cause and Effect
 


Circuits Comparisons
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Definitions of Energy (HS-PS3.A.4)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking; Planning and Carrying Out Investigations; Analyzing and Interpreting Data
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Cause and Effect
 


Series and Parallel Circuits
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Definitions of Energy (HS-PS3.A.4)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Struture and Function; Cause and Effect



 

Thermal Physics  

Linear Expansion of Materials
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Structure and Properties of Matter (HS-PS1.A.3)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Engaging in Argument from Evidence; Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Stability and Change; Energy and Matter



Heating Curve
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Definitions of Energy (HS-PS3.A.3)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Developing and Using Models
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Energy and Matter
 

 

 

Vibrations and Waves  

Vibrations and Waves: Period of a Pendulum
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations; Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions; Analyzing and Interpreting Data
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Scale, Proportion, and Quantity; Cause and Effect




Vibrations and Waves: Mass on a Spring
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Patterns; Energy and Matter




Simple Wave Simulator
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Wave Properties (HS-PS4.A.1)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Patterns; Struture and Function



Standing Wave Maker
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Wave Properties (HS-PS4.A.1)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models; Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Patterns; Struture and Function



Vibrations and Waves: Standing Waves on a String
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Wave Properties (HS-PS4.A.1)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Planning and Carrying Out Investigations; Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Scale, Proportion, and Quantity; Cause and Effect



 


Sound Waves and Music  

Sound and Music: Intensity and the Decibel Scale
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Definitions of Energy (HS-PS3.A.2)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Scale, Proportion, and Quantity; Energy and Matter




Sound and Music: Sound Loudness and the Sone Scale
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Definitions of Energy (HS-PS3.A.2)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking; Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Scale, Proportion, and Quantity



Sound and Music: The Sound of Music
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Waves Properties (HS-PS4.A.1)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking; Engaging in Argument from Evidence
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Patterns; Cause and Effect
 
 


Light and Color  

Light Waves and Color: Cell Phone Radiation
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Electromagnetic Radiation (HS-PS4.B.2)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information; Engaging in Argument from Evidence
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Scale, Proportion, and Quantity; Cause and Effect



Light Waves and Color: Light Brightness
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Electromagnetic Radiation (HS-PS4.B.1)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking; Engaging in Argument from Evidence
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Scale, Proportion, and Quantity



Light Waves and Color: Shedding Light on Bulbs
  • Discplinary Core Idea: Designing Possible Solutions (HS-ETS1.B.1)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Engaging in Argument from Evidence;  Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Structure and Function
 


Reflection and Mirrors  

Reflection and Mirrors: Concave Mirrors
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Patterns; Cause and Effect


Reflection and Mirrors: Object-Image Relationships
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models; Analyzing and Interpreting Data
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Patterns; Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
 



Refraction and Lenses  

Refraction and Lenses: Reflection and Transmission
  • Disciplinary Core Ideas: Electromagnetic Radiation (HS-PS4.B.1)
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Engaging in Argument from Evidence
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Scale, Proportion, and Quantity; Cause and Effect



Refraction and Lenses: Snell's Law
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Engaging in Argument from Evidence; Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking; Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Patterns; Structure and Function



Refraction and Lenses: Lens Magnification Lab
  • Science and Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models; Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Engaging in Argument from Evidence
  • Cross-Cutting Concepts:  Patterns; Scale, Proportion, and Quantity