This pilot covers the following models of mechanics, electromagnetism and other vibratory motions, as they describe and explain the state and change of state of the physical systems which they represent. Tests ascertain to what extent secondary school students articulate corresponding habits of mind, mostly in the context of basic state and causal laws, and conservation principles.
Mechanics:
- Free particle model:
Objects in linear uniform motion under no net force.
- Uniformly accelerated particle model:
Objects in linear or parabolic uniformly accelerated motion under a net constant force, including objects in free fall, projectile motion, and electrically charged particles under constant electrostatic interaction.
- Centrally bound particle models:
Objects in uniform circular motion under a constant centripetal force, including satellite motion in gravitational fields, and electron motion in hydrogen-like atoms.
Objects in linear or planar periodic motion under a variable central force (Simple Harmonic Oscillations).
- Rotating rigid body models:
Objects in uniform rotational motion under no net torque, or in uniformly accelerated rotation under a net constant torque.
- Fluid models:
Archimedes principle and buoyancy forces. Pascal's principle. Bernoulli's equation.
Stokes' law. Ideal gas.
Electromagnetism:
- Macroscopic and microscopic models:
AC and DC circuits.
Faraday-Lenz's laws, with application to transformers.
Wave:
- Sound waves:
Principle of superposition. Constructive and destructive interference.
Standing waves.
- Light waves:
Reflection, refraction, interference.
