Conceptual Physics Quizzes

21 fully editable, NGSS/modeling pedagogy aligned quizzes! There are a mix of free response and multiple choice questions for most quizzes, which are usually one or two pages long. Quizzes are used for students to demonstrate proficiency of learning targets outlined in the corresponding curriculum guide by deployIng models developed from inquiry labs and utilized in problem solving on worksheets. Quizzes are a good way for students to gauge their level of mastery to indicate how to study for unit tests.

01 - Scientific Thinking

I know...

• the definition of a dependent variable and an independent variable.
• I know the definition of a linear equation, slope, and y-intercept.

I can...

• plot data from a table on a graph, ensuring to label and scale axes appropriately.
• calculate the rate of change (slope) from a table or graph.
• identify the rate of change (slope) from a linear equation.
• identify the y-intercept from a table or graph.
• identify the y-intercept in a linear equation.
• write a linear equation to model the relationship between two variables
• make a prediction using a table for a future value.
• make a prediction using a graph for a future value.
• make a prediction using an equation for a future value.
• make a calculation using the order of operations when given known values.

02 - Balanced Forces

I know...

• the definition of a force, mechanical equilibrium, and inertia.
• the definition of Newton’s 1st Law of Inertia.

I can...

• describe the motion of an object in mechanical equilibrium.
• determine if a normal force is present and where it points.
• determine if a gravitational force is present and where it points.
• determine if an applied force is present and where it points.
• determine if a tension force is present and where it points
• .determine if a static friction force is present and where it points.
• determine if a kinetic friction force is present and where it points.
• determine if a magnetic force is present and where it points.
• draw a force diagram for an object in a balanced system.
• calculate the force of gravity given a mass.
• calculate all forces in a balanced system given enough information.

03 - Constant Velocity

I know...

• the definition of position, initial position, final position, distance, displacement, and time.
• the definition of speed, velocity, average speed, and average velocity, and the difference between them.

I can...

• write a linear equation to model an object moving at a constant velocity and how to use it to calculate a position.
• read a position vs. time graph to determine initial position, final position, displacement, velocity, and direction of motion.
• diagram an object moving at a constant velocity using a motion map.
• calculate distance, speed, and time using those three variables.
• calculate final position, velocity, and time using different versions of a constant velocity equation.
• calculate average speed and average velocity over a period of time, and the difference between them.
• calculate displacement using the difference between final and initial position.
• read a velocity vs. time graph to determine speed, velocity, displacement, and direction of motion.
• calculate displacement using the rectangular area under a velocity vs. time graph, including both positive and negative displacements.

04 - Acceleration

I know...

• the acceleration of an object in free fall.

I can...

• determine whether an object is moving at a constant speed, speeding up, or slowing down when given a position vs. time graph.
• determine whether an object is moving at a constant speed, speeding up, or slowing down when given a velocity vs. time graph.
• model an accelerating object using a written description and motion map through velocity and acceleration vectors.
• create a velocity and acceleration graph based on a given position graph.
• calculate displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time using an equation with those variables.
• calculate displacement using the area of a velocity graph.
• calculate displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time for an object in free fall.

05 - Unbalanced Forces

I know...

• the definitions of Newton’s 2nd Law and net force.

I can...

• determine whether an object is in a balanced or unbalanced system given a description of motion.
• determine whether an object is in a balanced or unbalanced system given a force diagram.
• determine whether an object is in a balanced or unbalanced system given an x/y table of equations. 
• construct a force diagram and x/y table of equations for an object in an unbalanced system.
• write a net force equation using all forces acting on an object in the Fnet = (   ) - (   ) format.
• calculate net force, mass, and acceleration using different forms of Newton’s 2nd Law equation: Fnet = ma
• solve for an unknown force value in a net force equation by using the Addition Property of Equality.

06 - Projectile Motion

I know...

• the definitions of a projectile, fluid resistance, and parabolic motion.
• the definitions of components, range, and height.

I can...

• describe how a projectile moves in the horizontal direction.
• describe how a projectile moves in the vertical component.
• describe how mass and shape affect the free fall acceleration of a projectile both in air and in a vacuum.
• calculate range and horizontal velocity.
• calculate time based on information given for either the horizontal or vertical direction.
• justify mass independence for free fall acceleration (neglecting air resistance) using a force diagram and net force equation.
• calculate height and vertical velocity.
• draw a motion map for a projectile in both the horizontal and vertical direction.

07 - Energy

I know...

• know the definition of energy, work, and power.
• the Law of Conservation of Energy and the Work-Energy Theorem.
• the different energy storage modes and when energy is stored in each particular mode.
• the definition of a spring constant and Hooke’s Law.

I can...

• construct a LOL Energy Bar Graph Diagram to represent how energy is stored in a system.
• calculate how energy is stored in a certain way (thermal, chemical, etc.) by using the total energy in a system.
• calculate kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, and spring elastic potential energy using their respective equations.
• calculate mass, height, velocity, stretch distance, and spring constants depending on the information given in a problem.

08 - Waves

I know...

• the definition of a wave, medium, transverse wave, and longitudinal wave.
• the properties of a transverse wave and longitudinal wave.
• how waves can combine to form constructive or destructive interference.
• the properties of sound waves, including resonance, the Doppler effect, and the speed of sound.
• the definition of the electromagnetic spectrum and the different types and properties of EMG waves based on their wavelength.
• the properties of light waves, including reflection, refraction, transmission, scattering, absorption, and the speed of light.
• the definition of the index of refraction and how light changes when entering new media. 

I can...

• calculate wave speed, frequency, and wavelength and the relationship between all three.
• calculate perceived frequency, time, and distance using the speed of sound.
• calculate index of refraction or wave speed when given one or the other

09 - Electrostatics

I know...

• the definition of an atom, electron, proton, neutron, and charge.
• how charged and neutral objects interact and how to determine the charge of an object.
• the definition of polarization, grounding, conduction, and induction and can explain how each process works.
• Coulomb’s Law and how to calculate the electric force between two charges.

I can...

• determine how much charge or how many excess electrons an object has.
• draw a force diagram for a charged particle based on surrounding charges.
• calculate the net force and acceleration of a charged particle.
• draw the electric field lines for a charged particle or group of charges.
• calculate the electric field strength based on the value of a source charge and the distance from it.
• calculate the electric potential energy for a charge based on its position in an electric field.

10 - Electricity

I know...

• how current flows in a conductor vs. an insulator.
• how charge flows out of a battery, specifically the direction it travels.
• the requirements necessary for a circuit to be complete.
• the definition of voltage, current, and resistance.
• the variables affecting resistance in a wire.
• Ohm’s law and how to calculate voltage, current, and resistance.
• the difference between parallel and series circuits.

I can...

• represent a circuit and its components using a schematic diagram.
• calculate the amount of power in a circuit.
• calculate current, voltage, and resistance in a series circuit for both components and the entire circuit.
• calculate current, voltage, and resistance in a parallel circuit for both components and the entire circuit.

Solutions can be accessed by emailing cris.chacon@knowlesteachers.org after purchasing this bundle.

These resources may be considered derivatives of AMTA resources.