Particle model and temperature
Ice melts, water boils, and the temperature stops rising meanwhile. The particles show where the energy goes in between.
PhysicsBerlin curriculum · Gymnasium
Physics – grade 7/8
Grades 7/8: the content of the topic fields is compulsory within the two grades, so the units are the same for grades 7 and 8 and are shown as one stage. Topic fields 3.5 and 3.6 (electricity) can also be taught in grades 9/10, depending on the timetable. The topic fields are numbered in the curriculum.
Unit 3.1Thermal behaviour of bodies
Expansion of solids, liquids and gases with temperature, density, pressure and temperature of a gas, states of matter in the particle model.
Gas laws
Push the piston halfway in and the pressure doubles. Heat the gas and it pushes the piston out. Pressure, volume and temperature are tightly linked.
Unit 3.2Interaction and force
Force as an interaction between two bodies, force arrows, measuring forces, weight and Hooke’s law.
Hooke’s law
Hang weights on a spring and measure how far it stretches. Double the force means double the stretch.
Adding and resolving forces
Two forces pull on one point. Use the parallelogram of forces to find the total force or to split a force into two.
Unit 3.3Mechanical energy and work
Forms of energy, potential energy, mechanical work and power, the golden rule of mechanics and conservation of energy.
Conservation of energy (roller coaster)
A car rides a roller coaster: energy bars show how potential and kinetic energy turn into each other.
Law of the lever
How can a child lift an adult on a seesaw? With the longer arm. Wheelbarrows and bottle openers use the same trick.
Inclined plane
A block sits on a slope. At what angle does it start to slide? The weight is split into two parts to find out.
Unit 3.4Thermal energy and heat
Thermal energy and heat, temperature equalisation, latent heat of melting and vaporisation, conduction, convection and radiation in the particle model.
Particle model and temperature
Ice melts, water boils, and the temperature stops rising meanwhile. The particles show where the energy goes in between.
Unit 3.5Electric current and electric charge
Simple circuits with source, switch and converter, effects of current, charge and the electroscope, the model of electric field lines, current as moving charge.
Simple circuit
Build a circuit with a battery, a switch and a lamp, as a set-up and as a circuit diagram. When the circuit is closed, the lamp lights up.
Unit 3.6Electric current, voltage, resistance and power
Measuring current and voltage, Ohm’s law and resistance, series and parallel circuits, electrical energy and power.
Ohm’s law
Turn up the voltage and the current rises, always in the same ratio. Point by point the characteristic curve appears, though not quite straight for a lamp.
Series and parallel circuits
Connect lamps in series or in parallel and measure current and voltage at different points.
Simple circuit
Build a circuit with a battery, a switch and a lamp, as a set-up and as a circuit diagram. When the circuit is closed, the lamp lights up.
The summaries describe the curriculum in our own words. The original text is authoritative. Original text (German): Rahmenlehrplan, Gymnasium, Physics, grade 7/8