NGSS high school physical science
NGSS high school physical science topics appear in 27 Scivra investigations. This collection groups the catalog's existing high school standard codes so students and teachers can connect a topic with an interactive model, a public investigation guide, and questions for comparing predictions with evidence.
NGSS HS-PS1
Chemistry
Periodic Trends & Reactivity
Drop lithium, sodium, and potassium into water, then pull electrons off their atoms. What explains what you see?
Chemistry
Reaction Types & Activity Series
Drop metals into salt solutions. Which ones react, and what do the atoms do?
Chemistry
Bonding & Properties of Solids
Test unknown solids for melting, dissolving, and conducting. Identify the bond type.
Chemistry
Evaporation & Intermolecular Forces
Wrap probes in alcohol-soaked paper. Which liquid cools fastest, and why?
Chemistry
Hand Warmers: Enthalpy & Hess’s Law
Design a hand warmer that reaches 20 °C above room temperature. Which salt, how much?
Chemistry
Reaction Rates
Magnesium in acid: change one condition, time the gas.
Chemistry
Equilibrium & Le Châtelier
Add, remove, heat, and cool. Watch the color shift as the equilibrium pushes back.
Chemistry
Moles, Formulas & Limiting Reactants
Burn magnesium to find its oxide formula, then seal a reaction in a bag. Does the mass change?
Physics
Radioactive Decay, Fission & Fusion
Count a decaying sample, then split and fuse nuclei. What happens inside a nucleus when it changes?
NGSS HS-PS2
Physics
Newton's Second Law
A hanging mass pulls a cart over a pulley. What sets the acceleration?
Physics
Momentum & Collisions
Two carts bounce, stick, or push apart. What stays the same?
Physics
Impulse & Crumple Zones
Design a bumper that lets the egg-cart survive the crash.
Physics
Charge & Coulomb's Law
Rub, touch, and bring charges near an electroscope. Then measure the force between two spheres.
Physics
Magnetic Fields of Currents
Map the magnetic field of a wire, a coil, and a magnet with compasses. Then test the force on a wire and bend an electron beam.
Physics
Electromagnetic Induction
Push a magnet into a coil. What makes the meter needle jump?
Chemistry
Polymers & Designed Materials
Stretch, bend, and cross-link polymers. How does chain structure change the material?
NGSS HS-PS3
Physics
Energy on a Track
A spring launches a cart up a curved track. Where does the energy go?
Physics
Generators & Efficiency
Turn a falling weight, wind, or water into electricity. How efficient is your design, and what does it cost?
Physics
Calorimetry & Thermal Equilibrium
Drop hot metal into cool water, then heat rods of different metals. Predict before you measure.
Physics
Electric Fields & Equipotentials
Probe the voltage between two electrodes and map the invisible field.
NGSS HS-PS4
Earth Science
Earthquake Epicenter
Seismometers find where a quake started — and what lies deep inside Earth.
Physics
Standing Waves on a String
Tune the vibrator until the string shows 1, 2, 3 loops. What sets the wave speed?
Physics
Sound: Resonance & Doppler
Find the speed of sound with a resonance tube, hear a passing siren change pitch, and block noise with a barrier.
Physics
Ripple Tank
Send water waves toward a wall, across a glass plate, through gaps, and toward other waves. What changes?
Physics
Refraction & Total Internal Reflection
Bend a laser through glass and water. When does the light stop getting out?
Physics
Double Slits & Gratings
Shine a laser through two slits. Measure the fringes to find the wavelength.
Physics
Photoelectric Effect
Brighter red light ejects nothing; dim violet light does. Why? Then bounce photons off electrons.
Questions about this collection
Which labs are included in this NGSS high school physical science collection?
The 27 distinct courses below have an explicit NGSS high school physical science reference in Scivra's catalog. A course can appear in more than one section when its catalog entry lists several references.
Does this collection cover the entire curriculum or replace required laboratory work?
No. These are selected catalog alignments, not accreditation, an official curriculum audit, or complete course coverage. Virtual investigations support preparation and explanation; they do not replace required hands-on laboratory work or safety instruction.
How can I use the course guides before an investigation?
Open a course card to read its public guide, model conditions, and frequently asked questions. Use the guide to choose a variable, make a prediction, and plan a measurement. Simulation access follows the access information on that course page.