NC DPI Final Exam Information
Test Specification Weights for the Physics NC Final Exam
NC Essential Standards Range of Total Items
Forces and Motion
Phy.1.1 7% to 12%
Phy.1.2 7% to 12%
Phy.1.3 7% to 12%
Energy: Conservation and Transfer
Phy.2.1 12% to 17%
Phy.2.2 7% to 12%
Phy.2.3 14% to 19%
Interactions of Energy and Matter
Phy.3.1 12% to 17%
Phy.3.2 9% to 14%
Total 100%
Physics NC Final Exam 2016–17
Number of Operational Items by Clarifying Objective
The following table shows the number of operational (scored) test items for each clarifying
objective. Note that future coverage of objectives could vary within the constraints of the test
specification weights in Tables 1–4. Some objectives not designated with tested items (i.e., “–”)
may be a prerequisite objective, may be tested within the context of another objective or may be
included as an embedded field test item.
Physics
Clarifying Objectives
Number of Operational
Items per Objective
Analyze the motion of objects.
Phy.1.1.1―Analyze motion graphically and numerically using vectors,
graphs and calculations.
2
Phy.1.1.2―Analyze motion in one dimension using time, distance, and
displacement, velocity, and acceleration. 1
Phy.1.1.3―Analyze motion in two dimensions using angle of trajectory,
time, distance, displacement, velocity, and acceleration. 1
Analyze systems of forces and their interaction with matter.
Phy.1.2.1―Analyze forces and systems of forces graphically and
numerically using vectors, graphs, and calculations. 2
Phy.1.2.2―Analyze systems of forces in one dimension and two
dimensions using free body diagrams. –
Phy.1.2.3―Explain forces using Newton’s laws of motion as well as the
universal law of gravitation. 1
Phy.1.2.4―Explain the effects of forces (including weight, normal, tension
and friction) on objects. –
Phy.1.2.5―Analyze basic forces related to rotation in a circular path
(centripetal force). 1
Analyze the motion of objects based on the principles of conservation of momentum, conservation
of energy and impulse.
Phy.1.3.1―Analyze the motion of objects in completely elastic and
completely inelastic collisions by using the principles of conservation of
momentum and conservation of energy.
2
Phy.1.3.2―Analyze the motion of objects based on the relationship
between momentum and impulse. 2
Understand the concepts of work, energy, and power, as well as the relationship among them.
Phy.2.1.1―Interpret data on work and energy presented graphically and
numerically. 2
Phy.2.1.2―Compare the concepts of potential and kinetic energy and
conservation of total mechanical energy in the description of the motion of
objects.
2
Phy.2.1.3―Explain the relationship among work, power and energy. 2
Analyze the behavior of waves.
Phy.2.2.1―Analyze how energy is transmitted through waves, using the
fundamental characteristics of waves: wavelength, period, frequency,
amplitude, and wave velocity.
2
Phy.2.2.2―Analyze wave behaviors in terms of transmission, reflection,
refraction and interference.
2
Phy.2.2.3―Compare mechanical and electromagnetic waves in terms of
wave characteristics and behavior (specifically sound and light). –
Analyze the nature of moving charges and electric circuits.
Phy.2.3.1―Explain Ohm’s law in relation to electric circuits. 1
Phy.2.3.2―Differentiate the behavior of moving charges in conductors and
insulators. –
Phy.2.3.3―Compare the general characteristics of AC and DC systems
without calculations. 1
Phy.2.3.4―Analyze electric systems in terms of their energy and power. 4
Phy.2.3.5―Analyze systems with multiple potential differences and
resistors connected in series and parallel circuits, both conceptually and
mathematically, in terms of voltage, current and resistance.
1
Explain charges and electrostatic systems.
Phy.3.1.1―Explain qualitatively the fundamental properties of the
interactions of charged objects. 2
Phy.3.1.2―Explain the geometries and magnitudes of electric fields. 1
Phy.3.1.3―Explain how Coulomb’s law relates to the electrostatic
interactions among charged objects. 2
Phy.3.1.4―Explain the mechanisms for producing electrostatic charges
including charging by friction, conduction, and induction. 2
Phy.3.1.5―Explain how differences in electrostatic potentials relate to the
potential energy of charged objects. –
Explain the concept of magnetism.
Phy.3.2.1―Explain the relationship between magnetic domains and
magnetism.
1
Phy.3.2.2―Explain how electric currents produce various magnetic fields. 2
Phy.3.2.3―Explain how transformers and power distributions are
applications of electromagnetism. 1