What physics covers
Physics is the study of the most fundamental rules of the universe — matter, energy, motion, force and the interactions between them. It is the science underneath the others, and the intellectual foundation of all engineering.
What a physics course covers
A first physics course typically moves through:
- Mechanics — motion, forces, Newton's laws (the heart of the course)
- Energy & momentum — conservation laws that govern the physical world
- Waves & sound — how energy travels; light and optics
- Electricity & magnetism — circuits, charge, fields
- Modern physics (sometimes) — a taste of relativity and the quantum world
In the K-12 arc and 'physics first'
Physical-science ideas (motion, energy, simple machines) appear from elementary school on. Formal Physics usually comes in 11th or 12th grade, though a growing “physics first” movement teaches a conceptual physics course in 9th grade before chemistry and biology, arguing it builds a better foundation. AP Physics 1, 2, and C offer college-level options.
NGSS in physics
Under the NGSS, physics is about modeling and explaining — building mathematical and conceptual models of how the world works and using them to predict and explain phenomena. It is where the science-and-engineering practices shine most clearly.
How physics is measured
Physics can serve as a state's required science exam, and the AP Physics suite (1, 2, C: Mechanics, C: Electricity & Magnetism) offers college credit — AP Physics C is calculus-based and aimed at future engineers and physicists.
Why physics feels hard
Physics is conceptually demanding and math-intensive — it turns algebra and, at higher levels, calculus into tools for describing reality. The difficulty is rarely the physics ideas themselves but the problem-solving: translating a real situation into equations. Strong math and lots of practice problems are the path through.
Careers physics opens
Physics is the foundation of all engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, aerospace) plus computer science, medical physics, data science, and research. It builds the most transferable quantitative problem-solving skills of any high-school subject. See the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and the Careers section.
How families can help
- Point out physics in sports, driving, music and play
- Keep math skills strong — they're the main tool
- Encourage tinkering, building and taking things apart
- Emphasize problem-solving over memorizing formulas
Lessons and related resources
See the Science lesson library, Mathematics (physics runs on it), Engineering & Technology, and the parent subject Science.
Frequently asked questions
- What grade is physics taught? Usually 11th or 12th grade, though 'physics first' programs teach a conceptual version in 9th grade before chemistry and biology.
- Do you need calculus for physics? Not for a first physics course or AP Physics 1 and 2, which use algebra. AP Physics C is calculus-based and aimed at future engineers.
- Why is physics so math-heavy? Physics describes the world with mathematics, so the challenge is often translating real situations into equations. Strong math skills make it much easier.
- What is 'physics first'? A sequence that teaches a conceptual physics course in 9th grade before chemistry and biology, on the theory that physics is the foundation of the other sciences.
- What careers come from physics? All engineering fields, plus computer science, medical physics, data science and research. Physics builds highly transferable problem-solving skills.