Physics Blueprint Reference Sheet
PHYSICS CORE BLUEPRINT
Connecticut NGSS High School Reference Sheet • Mechanics & Energy
Student Name
Class Period
1. Fundamental Constants & Unit Equivalents
Acceleration (Gravity)
\(g = 9.8\text{ m/s}^2\)
Universal Gravity
\(G = 6.67 \times 10^{-11}\)
\(\text{N}\cdot\text{m}^2/\text{kg}^2\)
Speed of Light
\(c = 3.00 \times 10^8\text{ m/s}\)
Electrostatic Constant
\(k_e = 8.99 \times 10^9\)
\(\text{N}\cdot\text{m}^2/\text{C}^2\)
2. Motion & Forces (NGSS HS-PS2-1)
\(\Sigma F = ma\)
Kinematic Equations
<table class="w-full text-xs font-mono"><tbody><tr><td class="pb-0.5 text-slate-500">Velocity:</td><td class="pb-0.5 text-right text-slate-900">\(v_f = v_i + at\)</td></tr><tr><td class="pb-0.5 text-slate-500">Position 1:</td><td class="pb-0.5 text-right text-slate-900">\(x_f = x_i + v_it + \frac{1}{2}at^2\)</td></tr><tr><td class="text-slate-500">Position 2:</td><td class="text-right text-slate-900">\(v_f^2 = v_i^2 + 2a\Delta x\)</td></tr></tbody></table>
Newtonian Dynamics
<table class="w-full text-xs font-mono"><tbody><tr><td class="pb-0.5 text-slate-500">Net Force:</td><td class="pb-0.5 text-right text-slate-900">\(\Sigma F = ma\)</td></tr><tr><td class="pb-0.5 text-slate-500">Weight:</td><td class="pb-0.5 text-right text-slate-900">\(F_g = mg\)</td></tr><tr><td class="text-slate-500">Friction:</td><td class="text-right text-slate-900">\(F_f \le \mu F_N\)</td></tr></tbody></table>
Free-Body Diagram (FBD) Map resolve forces on axes
m
\(F_N\)
\(F_g\)
\(F_a\)
\(F_f\)
Rule: \(F_N\) is perpendicular to contact surface. Friction \(F_f\) always opposes slide velocity.
3. Momentum & Collisions (NGSS HS-PS2-2 / HS-PS2-3)
\(\Delta p = F\Delta t\)
Momentum
\(p = mv\)
Unit: \(\text{kg}\cdot\text{m/s}\)
Impulse
\(J = F\Delta t = \Delta p\)
Unit: \(\text{N}\cdot\text{s}\)
Conservation of Momentum
\(m_1 v_{1i} + m_2 v_{2i} = m_1 v_{1f} + m_2 v_{2f}\)
Isolated System: Total initial momentum equals total final momentum. External net force is zero.
Collision Classification
Elastic Collision
Bounce apart completely.
Mom: Conserved
KE: Conserved
Inelastic Collision
Deform, heat, or stick together.
Mom: Conserved
KE: Lost
Safety (HS-PS2-3): Crumple zones extend collision duration (\(\Delta t\)), minimizing average impact force (\(F\)).
4. Energy, Work, & Conservation (NGSS HS-PS3-1 / HS-PS3-2)
\(E_i + W = E_f\)
Mechanical Energy Forms
<table class="w-full text-xs font-mono"><tbody><tr><td class="text-slate-500">Kinetic:</td><td class="text-right text-slate-900">\(KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2\)</td></tr><tr><td class="text-slate-500 pt-0.5">Elastic PE:</td><td class="text-right text-slate-900 pt-0.5">\(PE_s = \frac{1}{2}kx^2\)</td></tr><tr><td class="text-slate-500 pt-0.5">Grav. PE:</td><td class="text-right text-slate-900 pt-0.5">\(PE_g = mgh\)</td></tr></tbody></table>
Work & Power
<table class="w-full text-xs font-mono"><tbody><tr><td class="text-slate-500">Work:</td><td class="text-right text-slate-900">\(W = Fd\cos\theta\)</td></tr><tr><td class="text-slate-500 pt-0.5">Power:</td><td class="text-right text-slate-900 pt-0.5">\(P = \frac{W}{t} = Fv\)</td></tr></tbody></table>
Mechanical Energy Conservation Map Conservative System
Pos A: Max PE
\(KE = 0\)
Pos B: Max KE
PE lowest
Pos C: PE + KE
\(E_{\text{tot}}\) Constant
Closed System Rule: Mechanical energy is conserved if friction is negligible: \(KE_i + PE_i = KE_f + PE_f\).
CT Next Generation Science Standards • Core Reference Guide Page 1 of 2
PHYSICS FIELDS & WAVES BLUEPRINT
CT-NGSS High School Reference Sheet • Fields, Waves, & Modern Tech
Part II
5. Force Fields & Interactions (NGSS HS-PS2-4 / HS-PS3-5)
Inverse Square Laws
| Feature | Gravitational Field | Electrostatic Field |
|---|
| Governing Law | \(F_g = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}\) | \(F_e = k_e \frac{q_1 q_2}{r^2}\) |
| Source Property | Mass (\(m\)) → Only \((+)\) | Charge (\(q\)) → \((+/-)\) |
| Nature of Force | Attractive Only | Attractive & Repulsive |
| Field Strength | \(g = \frac{GM}{r^2}\) | \(E = \frac{k_e Q}{r^2}\) |
Field Lines Visual Guide
Field points
OUTWARD
-
Field points
INWARD
Inverse Square: Doubling distance (\(2r\)) reduces field force by factor of 4 (\(1/4\)).
6. Waves & Electromagnetic Radiation (NGSS HS-PS4-1)
\(v = f\lambda\)
Anatomy of a Transverse Wave
Crest Trough
Equilibrium
Wavelength (\(\lambda\))
Wave Speed Eq
\(v = f\lambda = \frac{\lambda}{T}\)
Period-Freq
\(f = \frac{1}{T} \quad T = \frac{1}{f}\)
EM Spectrum Safety & Power Grid
Radio Visible Gamma
Non-Ionizing
Radio, Micro, IR, Light. Safe.
Ionizing
UV, X-Ray, Gamma. High danger.
Refraction (Snell's Law): Light bends toward normal in denser media: \(n_1\sin\theta_1 = n_2\sin\theta_2\).
7. Modern Physics & Communication Tech (NGSS HS-PS4-3 / HS-PS4-5)
Wave Duality & Signals
Wave-Particle Duality (HS-PS4-3)
e-
Duality: EM radiation exhibits interference (wave) and energy/momentum packets (photon particle).
Photoelectric: Light ejects metal electrons. Proof of quantized light energy packets: \(E = hf\).
Signal Transmission Tech (HS-PS4-5)
Analog Signals
Continuous wave. Susceptible to noise & fade.
Digital Signals
Binary pulses. Highly stable; filters noise.
8. Physics Problem-Solving Framework (GUESS Method)
G
Givens
U
Unknowns
E
Equation
S
Substitute
S
Solve
CT Next Generation Science Standards • Core Reference Guide Page 2 of 2
