Fulfill your High School Physical Science requirement at home with training from Penn Foster High School. We’ll guide you through the course with class notes, textbooks and unlimited instructor support. Each lesson has been specifically designed for independent study – you’ll learn Physical Science in no time.

Course Description
 
This multi-subject course covers:

• Mechanics (energy, forces, liquids, gases, solids, etc.)
• Heat (heat energy and its transmission, temperature changes, engines, etc.)
• Sound (sound waves, hearing, music, etc.)
• Chemistry (basic concepts and their practical applications)
• Light (how it works and applies to modern science)
• Electricity and Electronics (basic concepts and uses)
• Emphasizing problem-solving, it discusses the relationship between science, technology, and the environment...

Course Objectives
 
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Calculate velocity and acceleration; recognize the latter’s relation to force
• Apply Newton’s laws of motion and Pascal’s and Archimedes’ principles
• Recognize the role of gravitational force
• Define potential energy and kinetic energy; calculate energy and power
• Determine pressure conditions within a liquid
• Identify properties of gases and solids
• Define the units used to measure heat
• Calculate the amount of heat energy lost or gained by a body
• Calculate linear expansion and contraction due to temperature changes
• Explain and apply the rules of heat transmission
• Describe how heat energy is used in engines and rockets
• Identify sound as a wave motion, and explain how we hear sounds
• Determine amplitude, frequency, period, and velocity of sound waves
• Classify characteristics of sound waves (reflection, refraction, etc.)
• Calculate the velocity of sound, and identify the harmonics of a sound wave
• Compare the sounds produced by various musical instruments
• Classify matter chemically; balance chemical formulas; calculate molecular mass
• Use the periodic table of elements; analyze formulas of elements and compounds
• Recognize the properties of acids, bases, salts, and organic compounds
• Recognize characteristics of nonmetallic and metallic elements
• Describe sources of nuclear energy
• Discuss the velocity of light and the effects of light reflection
• Apply the rules of light refraction to lenses
• Discuss the principles of optical instruments
• Explain colors as the effect of wave characterization of light
• Discuss the importance of light polarization
• Calculate the illuminance of a surface by the aid of light intensity
• Describe the effects of static electricity and a magnetic field
• Recognize characteristics of insulators and conductors
• Apply Ohm’s law; calculate electric power and energy
• Analyze a basic electric circuit; discuss the role of transistors
• Relate magnetic effects to electric current
• Describe the principles of radio and television communication

Course Outline

Mechanics

• Motion: Bodies and Motion; Units of Measurement; Speed; Velocity; Calculating Uniform Acceleration; Falling Bodies
• Force and Motion: Newton’s First Law; Newton’s Second Law; Gravity; Action and Reaction; Vector and Scalar Quantities
• Motion in a Curved Path: Centripetal Force; Motion of Satellites; Ptolemy’s Model of the Universe; Copernicus’ Model of the Universe; Kepler’s Laws
• Energy and Power: Work and Energy; Kinetic Energy; Potential Energy; Mechanical Energy; Friction; Law of Energy Conservation; Power; Efficiency
• Properties of Liquids: Forces Exerted; Liquid Pressure; Pascal’s Principle; Hydraulic Press; Measuring Liquid Pressure; Archimedes’ Principle; Specific Gravity; Meniscus; Capillarity; Viscosity
• Properties of Gases and Solids: Compressibility and Expansibility of Gases; Atmospheric Pressure and Altitude; Barometers; Gage Pressure and Absolute Pressure; Conductors and Insulators; Pressure of Solid

Heat

• Introduction: Nature of Heat; Heat Energy; Sources; Units; Measuring; Temperature; Thermometer; English and Metric Thermometer Scales; Absolute Temperature; Specific Heat
• Effects of Temperature Changes on Solids: Expansion and Contraction; How They Are Calculated; Coefficients of Linear Expansion
  Effects of Temperature Changes on Liquids and Gases: Calculating Volume Changes in Liquids; Calculating Changes in Gases
• Transmission of Heat Energy: Conduction; Convection; Radiation; Reflection; Absorption; Thermos Bottles
• Change of State: Different Forms of Same Substance; Critical Temperature; Latent Heat; Solidification; Evaporation; Practical Applications
  Fuel Combustion: Ignition; Fuel Types; Heating Values
• Internal-Combustion Engines: How They Work; Four Stages of Engine Operation; Diesel Engine; Gas Turbine
• Jet-Propelled Engines: Basic Principles; Turbojet Engines; Rocket Engines

Sound

• Wave Motion: Origin of Sounds; Sound Waves; Transverse and Longitudinal Waves; Amplitude; Wavelength; Frequency and Period; Velocity
• Transmission of Sound to the Ear: Necessary Conditions; Primary Source; Required Amplitude and Frequency of Sound Waves; Infrasonic and Ultrasonic Vibrations; Sound Transmission Mediums; Transmission Through Air; Sound Wave Representation and Expansion; Wave Fronts; Intensity; Responses of the Ear
• Sound Wave Characteristics: Reflection; Echo; Reverberation; Diffusion; Focusing; Absorption; Refraction; Diffraction
• Effects of Sound Waves: Combinations; Different Frequencies; Beats; Forced Vibrations; Sympathetic Vibrations and Resonance
• Sound Wave Velocity: Factors Affecting It; Velocity in Air; Velocity in Liquids or Solids; Doppler Effect
• Musical Sounds: Sources; Stringed Instruments; Wind Instruments; Percussion Instruments; Overtones; Harmonics; Characteristics for Sound Comparison; Diatonic Scale

Chemistry

• Classification of Matter: Definitions; The Elements; Compounds; Mixtures
• Atoms and Molecules: Composition of Elements; Dalton’s Atomic Theory; Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons; Atomic Structure of Elements
• Fundamental Laws of Chemistry and Valence: Law of Conservation of Matter; Law of Conservation of Energy; Nuclear Energy and the Conservation Laws; Law of Definite Proportions; Valence; Chemical Unions
• Formulas and Equations: Definition; Examples; Equations; Calculating Molecular Masses from Chemical Formulas; Calculating Percentage Composition of Compounds
• Solutions: Definition; Kinds; Solubility; Suspensions and Emulsions; Crystallization; Dehydration and Efflorescence; Distillation Metals, Nonmetals, Acids, Bases, and Salts: Metals; Nonmetals; Electrochemical Series; Acids; Bases; Salts
• Ions: Conductivity of Solutions; Symbols; Acids and Theory of Ionization; Bases and Theory of Ionization; pH Scale; Electrolysis; Electroplating
  Periodic Table: Noble Gases; Halogens; Nonmetals
• Metallic Elements: Alkali Metals; Alkaline Earth Metals; Other Metals; Transition Metals; Metalloids; Rare Earth Elements
• Nuclear Energy: Uses; Natural Radioactivity; Artificial Disintegration; Artificial Radioactivity; Nuclear Fission; Reactors; Detecting and Measuring Radiation; Fusion Process; Controlled Fusion Power
• Organic Chemistry: Structural Formulas; Hydrocarbons; Paraffins; Petroleum Products; Olefins; Acetylenes; Alcohols; Glycerine; Aldehydes; Ketones; Fatty Acids; Ethers; Carbohydrates; Aromatic Compounds; Plastics; Medicinals; Synthetic Fibers

Light

• Nature of Light: Newtonian Concept; Light as a Wave; Wave or Particle?; Wave Motion of a Particle
• Light Reflection: Light Rays; Reflections; Percentage; Mirrors; Calculating Image Sizes
• Light Refraction: Explanation; Incident and Refracted Rays; Index of Refraction; Optical Prisms
• Lenses: Types; Focal Points; Images Produced; Aberrations
• Optical Instruments: Magnifying Glasses; Eyeglasses; Cameras; Projectors; Microscopes; Telescopes; Binoculars
• Characteristics of Light Waves: Electromagnetic Spectrum; Visible Spectrum; Colors; Vision; Color of Transparent or Opaque Objects; Mixing Pigments
• Behavior of Light Rays: Interference; Diffraction; Polarization
  Light Measurement: Light Sources; Lamps; Transmission; Intensity; Illuminance; Photometer; Light Meter; Lamp Efficiency; Glare Control

Electricity and Electronics

• Static Electricity: Electric Charges; Kinds of Charges; Development by Friction or Contact; Attraction and Repulsion; Induced; Conductors; Insulators; Neutralizing Charges; Sparks; Lightning Rods; Storing Charges
• Magnets: Theory of Magnetism; Temporary and Permanent Magnets; Poles; Attraction and Repulsion; Magnetic and Nonmagnetic Materials; Magnetic Fields; Lines of Force; Earth as a Magnet; Induced Magnetism Electric Current: Electric Potential, or Voltage; Voltage Sources; Electric Current; Resistance; Circuits; Direct Current and Alternating Current; Conversion of Electrical Energy
• Basic Electrical Relationships: Measuring Quantities with a Multimeter; Ohm’s Law; Measuring Power and Energy; Heat Produced; Cost
• Properties of Circuits: Series and Parallel Circuits; Connecting Battery Cells; Total Resistance in Circuits; Current in Series Circuit; Voltage Drops; Voltages and Currents in Parallel Circuit; Short Circuits
• Magnetic Effects of Electric Current: Magnetic Field around Conductors; Electromagnets; Induction; Generators; Transformers; Power Distribution
  Electronics: Devices; Emission of Electrons; Electron Tubes; Diodes; Triodes; Cathode Ray Tubes; X-Ray Tubes
• Semiconductor Devices: Properties; Types of Diodes; Junction Diodes and Transistors; Input and Output Circuits of Transistors; Transistors as Amplifiers; Integrated Circuits
• Radio Communication and Television: Radio Transmitting Antennas; Transmission and Reception of Radio Signals; The Television Picture; Transmission and Reception of Pictures; Principles of Color Television

After registering for the Physical Science course, all of your learning materials will be shipped directly to you. If you like, you can also go to our website and download some of your study materials to get a head start. Your learning materials will guide you through the course content, explaining concepts and operations through a series of lessons. After each lesson, you’ll take an exam which you can submit by phone or our website. As you pass each lesson, you’ll proceed to the next topic until you complete the course.

There are six exams that need to be passed to complete your course in Physical Science and you’ll have up to 15 weeks to complete the course.
 
Support
If you should ever need help with your studies, you can e-mail or call our instructors who will gladly help you with any questions that you might have.

Study Time
Since there is no set class schedule, you study when and where it’s convenient for you. You can complete your course as quickly as you’d like.

Completion
When you have successfully completed your course, you will receive a letter of completion along with an official transcript listing your completed course(s) and grades. You can apply your course towards our Diploma Program or a diploma from your local High School (be sure to check with your school authorities regarding mandatory attendance policies and whether they agree that the Penn Foster High School Program is acceptable toward the completion of your high school education). 
 
Accreditation
Penn Foster High School is accredited by The Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools; has met the high standards of integrity and performance set by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), Washington D.C., and is licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools.

Whether you’re looking for accelerated studies or credit recovery, regionally and nationally accredited Penn Foster High School provides the courses you need to complete your High School Diploma.