Table 1: Weight Distributions for Physical Science NCFE
Physical Science Domain % of NCFE Standard PSc.1.1 2% -- 7% Forces & Motion PSc.1.2 9% -- 14% PSc.2.1 11% -- 17% Matter: Properties PSc.2.2 23% -- 31% & Change PSc.2.3 2% -- 7% Energy: PSc.3.1 7% -- 10% Conservation & PSc.3.2 14% -- 19% Transfer PSc.3.3 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 – Physical Science NCFE
Physical Number of UNIFYING CONCEPT: Science Physical Science Objective Description Items per Objective Objective* Explain motion in terms of frame of reference, distance, PSc.1.1.1 -- displacement Compare speed, velocity, acceleration, momentum using: PSc.1.1.2 investigations, graphing, scalar quantities, vector 2 Forces & Motion quantities Effect of gravitational force on weight of an object and PSc.1.2.1 3 velocity of an object in freefall PSc.1.2.2 Classify frictional forces as: static, sliding, rolling, fluid 1 PSc.1.2.3 Explain forces using Newton’s laws 1 Classify matter as: homogenous, heterogeneous, pure, PSc.2.1.1 mixture, element, compound, metal, non-metal, 1 metalloid, solution, colloid, suspension Explain 3 phases of matter and the changes that matter PSc.2.1.2 2 undergoes PSc.2.1.3 Compare physical and chemical properties 2 Matter: Properties & Interpret data from Bohr model diagrams and dot PSc.2.1.4 1 Change diagrams Infer valence electrons, oxidation number, reactivity PSc.2.2.1 2 based on element location on Periodic Table PSc.2.2.2 Infer chemical bond types for substances 2 PSc.2.2.3 Predict chemical formulas and names for compounds 1 Balance chemical equations to show law of conservation PSc.2.2.4 2 of matter Classify types of reactions as: synthesis, decomposition, PSc.2.2.5 2 single and double replacement PSc.2.2.6 Acid and base interactions 1 Nuclear reactions: alpha decay, beta decay, gamma PSc.2.3.1 1 decay, nuclear fusion, nuclear fusion PSc.2.3.2 Show radioactive decay using concept of half-life 1 PSc.3.1.1 Thermal energy & transfer 1 Law of conservation of energy of mechanical systems in PSc.3.1.2 1 terms of: kinetic, potential, and heat Work in terms of: relationship of applied force, PSc.3.1.3 1 displacement of object, energy transfer Qualitative & quantitative relationship between work, PSc.3.1.4 1 power, and simple machines Relationships between characteristics of waves: PSc.3.2.1 3 frequency, period, velocity, amplitude, wavelength Energy: PSc.3.2.2 Compare waves: mechanical, electromagnetic, surface 2 Conservation & PSc.3.2.3 Classify waves as: transverse, compressional, longitudinal 1 Transfer Illustrate wave interactions: reflection, refraction, PSc.3.2.4 -- diffraction, interference PSc.3.3.1 Static and current electricity -- PSc.3.3.2 Explain series and parallel circuits in terms of Ohm’s law 2 Wire effect on current based on: composition, length, PSc.3.3.3 -- temperature, diameter of wire Explain magnetism based on: domains, interactions of PSc.3.3.4 2 poles, magnetic fields PSc.3.3.5 Practical applications of magnets 1 * 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.