Physics NC Final Exam Testing Specifications

Updated for 2017-2018 School Year by NCDPI

Here is the link to the .PDF where this information originated.

http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/accountability/common-exams/specifications/2017-18/hsscispecs1718.pdf

Table 1: Weight Distributions for Physics NCFE

Domain Physics Standard % of NCFE
Phy.1.1 7% -- 12%
Forces & Motion Phy.1.2 7% -- 12%
Phy.1.3 7% -- 12%
Energy: Phy.2.1 12% -- 17%
Conservation & Phy.2.2 7% -- 12%
Transfer Phy.2.3 14% -- 19%
Interactions of Phy.3.1 12% -- 17%
Energy & Matter Phy.3.2 9 – 14%
Total 100%
NOTE: Members of the Test Development section of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI)
invited teachers to collaborate and develop recommendations for a prioritization of the standards indicating the
relative importance of each standard, the anticipated instructional time, and the appropriateness of the standard for
multiple-choice and constructed response item formats.

Table 2: Number of Items by Clarifying Objective – Physics NCFE

Number of
Physics
UNIFYING CONCEPT: Physics Objective Description Items per
Objective
Objective*
Analyze motion graphically and numerically using
Phy.1.1.1 2
vectors, graphs, calculations
Analyze motion in 1 direction using: time, distance,
Phy.1.1.2 1
displacement, velocity, acceleration
Analyze motion in 2 directions using: trajectory, time,
Phy.1.1.3 1
distance, displacement, velocity, acceleration
Analyze forces and systems of forces graphically and
Phy.1.2.1 2
numerically using: vectors, graphs, calculations
Analyze systems of forces in 1 and 2 dimensions using
Phy.1.2.2 --
free body diagrams
Forces & Motion Explain forces using Newton’s laws and the universal law
Phy.1.2.3 1
of gravitation
Explain the effects of forces on objects: weight, normal,
Phy.1.2.4 --
tension, friction)
Analyze basic forces related to rotation (centripetal
Phy.1.2.5 1
force)
Analyze motion of objects in elastic & inelastic collisions
Phy.1.3.1 using conservation of momentum and conservation of 2
energy
Analyze the motion of objects based on relationship
Phy.1.3.2 2
between momentum and impulse
Phy.2.1.1 Interpret graphical and numerical data on work & energy 2
Energy:
Compare potential & kinetic energy and conservation of
Conservation & Phy.2.1.2 2
total mechanical energy
Transfer
Phy.2.1.3 Explain the relationship among: work, power, energy 2
 Analyze the energy of waves using: wavelength, period,
Phy.2.2.1 2
frequency, amplitude, wave velocity
Analyze wave behaviors in terms of: reflection,
Phy.2.2.2 2
refraction, interference
Compare characteristics and behavior of mechanical and
Phy.2.2.3 --
electromagnetic waves: sound & light
Phy.2.3.1 Explain Ohm’s law 1
Differentiate behavior of moving charges in conductors &
Phy.2.3.2 --
insulators
Phy.2.3.3 Compare the characteristics of AC & DC systems 1
Phy.2.3.4 Analyze electric systems in terms of: energy & power 4
Analyze systems with multiple potential differences and
Phy.2.3.5 1
resistors in series and parallel circuits
Explain the properties of the interactions of charged
Phy.3.1.1 2
objects
Phy.3.1.2 Explain the geometries and magnitudes of electric fields 1
Explain how Coulomb’s law relates to the electrostatic
Phy.3.1.3 2
interactions among charged objects
Explain mechanisms for producing electrostatic charges
Phy.3.1.4 2
Interactions of including: friction, conduction, induction
Energy & Matter Explain how differences in electrostatic potentials relate
Phy.3.1.5 --
to potential energy of charged objects
Explain the relationship between magnetic domains and
Phy.3.2.1 1
magnetism
Phy.3.2.2 Explain how electric currents produce magnetic fields 2
Explain how transformers and power distributions are
Phy.3.2.3 1
applications of electromagnetism
* Some objectives not designated with tested items (i.e., “–”) may be a prerequisite standard, may be tested within
the context of another standard, or may be included as an embedded field test item.