PHYSICS
Complete Study Guide
For 10th Grade / Sophomore Students
Aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) High School Physical Science core ideas
(HS-PS2, HS-PS3, HS-PS4) that form the foundation of most U.S. state Physics syllabi, covering
motion, forces, energy, waves, electricity, and magnetism.
12 Units • Key Formulas • Worked Examples • Exam Tips • Practice Questions with Answers
,10th Grade Physics — Complete Study Guide High School Physics (NGSS-Aligned)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Unit 1: Introduction to Physics, Measurement & Units
Unit 2: Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension
Unit 3: Vectors & Projectile Motion
Unit 4: Forces & Newton's Laws of Motion
Unit 5: Momentum & Collisions
Unit 6: Work, Energy & Power
Unit 7: Circular Motion & Gravitation
Unit 8: Waves & Sound
Unit 9: Light & Optics
Unit 10: Electricity
Unit 11: Magnetism & Electromagnetism
Unit 12: Heat, Thermal Energy & the Atom
Final Review: Formula Sheet + Full Practice Test
How to use this guide: Physics builds heavily on math, so don't just memorize formulas — practice using
them. Work through every 'Worked Example' with a pencil and paper before checking the given solution, and
always write down your units.
Page 2
, 10th Grade Physics — Complete Study Guide High School Physics (NGSS-Aligned)
UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS, MEASUREMENT
& UNITS
Overview
Physics is the study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces that govern how the universe behaves.
Before diving into motion and forces, you need to understand how physicists measure and describe the
physical world.
SI Base Units
Quantity SI Unit
Length meter (m)
Mass kilogram (kg)
Time second (s)
Temperature kelvin (K)
Electric current ampere (A)
Amount of substance mole (mol)
Scalars vs. Vectors
● Scalar: a quantity with magnitude (size) only — e.g., distance, speed, mass, time, energy.
● Vector: a quantity with both magnitude AND direction — e.g., displacement, velocity, acceleration, force.
Significant Figures & Scientific Notation
Measurements always carry some uncertainty. Significant figures show how precisely a quantity was
measured. Scientific notation (e.g., 3.0 x 10^8 m/s) is used to write very large or very small numbers
compactly — essential in physics, where values range from the size of an atom to the size of a galaxy.
■ EXAM TIP: Always carry units through your calculations (this is called 'dimensional analysis'). If
your final units don't match what the question is asking for, you likely made an error in your
formula or algebra.
Practice Questions
1. Classify the following as scalar or vector: speed, velocity, mass, force.
Answer: Speed = scalar, Velocity = vector, Mass = scalar, Force = vector.
2. What is the SI unit of mass, and how does it differ from weight?
Answer: The SI unit of mass is the kilogram; mass measures the amount of matter in an object, while weight is
the force of gravity on that mass, measured in newtons.
3. Write 0.000045 meters in scientific notation.
Answer: 4.5 x 10^-5 meters.
Page 3
Complete Study Guide
For 10th Grade / Sophomore Students
Aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) High School Physical Science core ideas
(HS-PS2, HS-PS3, HS-PS4) that form the foundation of most U.S. state Physics syllabi, covering
motion, forces, energy, waves, electricity, and magnetism.
12 Units • Key Formulas • Worked Examples • Exam Tips • Practice Questions with Answers
,10th Grade Physics — Complete Study Guide High School Physics (NGSS-Aligned)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Unit 1: Introduction to Physics, Measurement & Units
Unit 2: Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension
Unit 3: Vectors & Projectile Motion
Unit 4: Forces & Newton's Laws of Motion
Unit 5: Momentum & Collisions
Unit 6: Work, Energy & Power
Unit 7: Circular Motion & Gravitation
Unit 8: Waves & Sound
Unit 9: Light & Optics
Unit 10: Electricity
Unit 11: Magnetism & Electromagnetism
Unit 12: Heat, Thermal Energy & the Atom
Final Review: Formula Sheet + Full Practice Test
How to use this guide: Physics builds heavily on math, so don't just memorize formulas — practice using
them. Work through every 'Worked Example' with a pencil and paper before checking the given solution, and
always write down your units.
Page 2
, 10th Grade Physics — Complete Study Guide High School Physics (NGSS-Aligned)
UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS, MEASUREMENT
& UNITS
Overview
Physics is the study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces that govern how the universe behaves.
Before diving into motion and forces, you need to understand how physicists measure and describe the
physical world.
SI Base Units
Quantity SI Unit
Length meter (m)
Mass kilogram (kg)
Time second (s)
Temperature kelvin (K)
Electric current ampere (A)
Amount of substance mole (mol)
Scalars vs. Vectors
● Scalar: a quantity with magnitude (size) only — e.g., distance, speed, mass, time, energy.
● Vector: a quantity with both magnitude AND direction — e.g., displacement, velocity, acceleration, force.
Significant Figures & Scientific Notation
Measurements always carry some uncertainty. Significant figures show how precisely a quantity was
measured. Scientific notation (e.g., 3.0 x 10^8 m/s) is used to write very large or very small numbers
compactly — essential in physics, where values range from the size of an atom to the size of a galaxy.
■ EXAM TIP: Always carry units through your calculations (this is called 'dimensional analysis'). If
your final units don't match what the question is asking for, you likely made an error in your
formula or algebra.
Practice Questions
1. Classify the following as scalar or vector: speed, velocity, mass, force.
Answer: Speed = scalar, Velocity = vector, Mass = scalar, Force = vector.
2. What is the SI unit of mass, and how does it differ from weight?
Answer: The SI unit of mass is the kilogram; mass measures the amount of matter in an object, while weight is
the force of gravity on that mass, measured in newtons.
3. Write 0.000045 meters in scientific notation.
Answer: 4.5 x 10^-5 meters.
Page 3
