Physical Science: Concepts in Action is a dynamic, high school textbook that engages homeschool and online students with the fundamentals of physical science while providing an accessible approach to learning. With an emphasis on active learning, this textbook inspires the next students by demonstrating how science transcends the confines of the classroom and resonates in the world around them. Through relevant content, lively explorations, and hands-on activities, students are encouraged to bridge the gap between theory and practice, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the wonders of the physical sciences.
Physical Science or Introduction to Physics & Chemistry (IPC) is a course that studies the fundamental principles of physical science which are so important for the in-depth approach to the high school sciences of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Although the main emphasis in this course is on Chemistry and Physics, the same scientific thought processes, and especially many of the Chemistry concepts, are applied and used fully in the high school Biology course as well.
Any student wishing to pursue the Kolbe Academy Core or Honors high school science courses is encouraged to complete this course to put in place the math, analysis, and process skills necessary for success in those courses.
This course is typically done in 8th or 9th grade and includes the following topics:
- Science skills
- Properties of matter
- States of matter
- Atomic structure
- The periodic table
- Chemical bonds
- Chemical reactions
- Solutions
- Acids and bases
- Carbon chemistry
- Nuclear chemistry
- Motion
- Forces and motion
- Forces in fluids
- Work, power, and machines
- Energy
- Thermal energy and heat
- Mechanical waves and sound
- The electromagnetic spectrum and light
- Optics
- Electricity
- Magnetism
Algebra 1 is a co-requisite for Kolbe’s Physical Science course, ensuring that students possess the necessary mathematical skills to excel. If math skills are in place, a student may take Physical Science for high school credit in 8th grade. This allows the student to complete the biology, chemistry, and physics trifecta by 11th grade with the possibility of having a science elective as a 12th grader. However, it should be noted that plenty of math and science majors have been created despite starting their first physical science course as a 9th grader.
Used in the following course:
- Physical Science (Intro to Physics & Chemistry):
- Homeschool
- Digital Homeschool
- Online
- Asynchronous