Conceptual Physics Writing Assignments

9 fully editable, NGSS/modeling pedagogy aligned short writing assignments! These short writing assignments are usually one page long and include 3-4 short answer prompts that require students to explain and demonstrate their mastery of different learning targets covered in each unit. There is a rubric embedded at the bottom of each assignment as well for streamlined grading.

01 - Scientific Thinking

I know...

• the definition of a dependent variable and an independent variable.
• the definition of a linear equation, slope, and y-intercept.
• how to collect valid and reliable data.

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 in a linear equation.
• write a linear equation to model the relationship between two variables
• design and carry out an experiment.
• collect and analyze data.

02 - Balanced Forces

I know...

• the definition of a force, mechanical equilibrium, and inertia.
• the definition of Newton’s 1st Law of Inertia.
• the definition of Newton’s 3rd Law of Reactions. 

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.
• identify a force pair between two objects using Newton’s 3rd Law.

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 the 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 sum of all forces format (Fnet = (   ) - (   )).
• 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.
• calculate the static or kinetic force of friction when given the mass of an object and the coefficient of friction.
• solve for the coefficient of friction when given the frictional force and normal force.

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.
• calculate the work done by a force exerted over a distance.
• calculate net force when an object is being worked on.
• calculate power and rate of energy transfer.

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.