Science
Physics
Master motion, energy, forces, electricity, and waves in this self-paced, online high school Physics course with real-world applications.
About the course
Course Overview
Excel High School’s online Physics course provides a comprehensive exploration of the fundamental principles that govern the physical world. Designed for high school students, this self-paced, asynchronous course covers motion, forces, energy, fields, electricity, and waves, with a strong focus on applying concepts to real-world situations and modern technologies.
Students develop scientific reasoning, problem-solving, and systems thinking through interactive simulations, digital modeling, and engineering design challenges. The curriculum is organized into 14 modules spanning five core units, including Newton’s laws of motion, energy transfer and conservation, gravitational and electromagnetic fields, electrical circuits, motors and generators, wave behavior, and electromagnetic radiation.
Practical applications include analyzing forces in engineering structures, optimizing energy systems, designing efficient electrical circuits, and exploring cutting-edge communication technologies. Each unit integrates lab-based investigations, multimedia lessons, and NGSS-aligned assessments to ensure mastery of concepts and readiness for further STEM study. By the end of the course, learners will be prepared to apply physics concepts to solve complex problems and understand the technologies shaping the modern world.
By the end of the course
Learning Objectives
- Apply Newton’s laws of motion to predict and describe the motion of objects under various force conditions.
- Model and analyze energy transfer and transformation in mechanical, thermal, and electrical systems.
- Represent and explain gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields, and predict the effects of these fields on objects and systems.
- Evaluate the design and function of electrical systems, including circuits and energy generation technologies, using criteria and constraints.
- Use wave models to describe and analyze how energy and information are transferred through different types of waves.
- Interpret and evaluate real-world technologies using scientific reasoning and engineering practices.
Course contents
What You'll Study
Forces and Motion: The Nature of Forces
Investigate how different types of forces act on objects and influence motion using diagrams and models.
Newton’s Laws of Motion
Explore Newton’s First, Second, and Third Laws to explain how forces influence motion in everyday and engineered systems.
Effects of Forces
Analyze the combined effects of multiple forces on motion through data, graphs, and real-world examples.
Momentum and Energy
Examine momentum, collisions, and the transformation between kinetic and potential energy in systems.
Transforming Energy
Trace energy as it transfers and transforms within mechanical, thermal, and electrical systems.
Transferring Thermal Energy
Compare conduction, convection, and radiation while designing solutions for thermal efficiency.
Mass and Gravitational Fields
Model gravitational forces and orbital motion to explain planetary and satellite movement.
Electric and Magnetic Fields
Represent and predict the behavior of electric and magnetic fields and their effects on objects.
Electrical Energy in Circuits
Investigate current, voltage, and resistance while comparing AC and DC electrical systems.
Electromagnets and Induced Current
Discover how electricity creates magnetism and how electromagnetic induction powers motors and generators.
Energy System Solutions
Evaluate renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and design efficient energy systems.
Modeling and Using Waves
Describe wave properties and interactions to explain how energy moves through different media.
Electromagnetic Radiation
Analyze the electromagnetic spectrum and how radiation interacts with matter in various applications.
Optimizing Information Technologies
Explore how waves are used to encode, transmit, and receive information in modern communication systems.
Earn your 1.0 credit in Physics
Accredited. Self-paced. Built for Texas students.
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Excel High School Texas is fully accredited, self-paced, and built for Texas students who want a college-ready diploma without compromise.