Physics I · Scientific and Engineering Practices
Virginia SOL PH.1
Virginia SOL PH.1 is part of the Scientific and Engineering Practices strand in Physics I (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through inquiry, investigation, and communication. Below is what PH.1 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice PH.1 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL PH.1 means
Demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through inquiry, investigation, and communication.
Skills you’ll practice for PH.1
- Ask questions arising from observation of phenomena, examination of models/theories, or unexpected results.
- Determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of a school laboratory.
- Formulate hypotheses specifying the relationship between dependent and independent variables.
- Generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles.
- Define design problems involving interacting components, criteria, and constraints.
- Plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations individually or collaboratively.
- Conduct investigations or test design solutions safely.
- Select and use appropriate tools and technology to collect, record, analyze, and evaluate data.
- Record and present data in organized formats communicating relationships and quantities mathematically.
- Use data to build, revise, or test models, explanations, or solutions.
- Analyze data using computational, mathematical, statistical tools to make valid scientific claims or optimize designs.
- Analyze data graphically and use graphs to make predictions.
- Consider limitations of data analysis when interpreting results.
- Evaluate the effects of new data on existing explanations or models.
- Analyze data to optimize a design solution.
- Make quantitative and/or qualitative claims based on data.
- Construct and revise explanations based on valid and reliable evidence.
- Apply scientific ideas, principles, or evidence to explain phenomena or design solutions.
- Compare and evaluate competing arguments in light of accepted explanations and new evidence.
- Construct arguments or counterarguments based on data and evidence.
- Differentiate between scientific hypothesis, theory, and law.
- Evaluate the merits and limitations of models.
- Identify and communicate components of a system in multiple formats (oral, graphical, textual, mathematical).
- Develop and/or use models (including mathematical and computational) and simulations to visualize, explain, and predict phenomena.
- Compare, integrate, and evaluate sources of scientific or technical information in different media or formats.
- Gather, read, and evaluate scientific and/or technical information from multiple authoritative sources.
- Communicate scientific and/or technical information about phenomena or design processes in multiple formats.
Key concepts covered by PH.1
- phenomena observation
- model analysis
- theory examination
- unexpected results
- investigable questions
- laboratory scope
- feasibility assessment
- hypothesis formation
- dependent variable
- independent variable
- variable manipulation
- hypothesis generation
- research-based
- scientific principles
- design problem
- system components
- criteria
- constraints
- investigation planning
- observational study
- experimental design
- collaboration
- safe investigation
- design testing
- safety protocols
- data collection
- technology selection
- data analysis
- data evaluation
- data recording
- data presentation
- mathematical communication
- quantitative relationships
- model building
- data-driven revision
- explanation testing
- solution validation
- computational tools
- mathematical modeling
- statistical analysis
- claim validation
- graphical analysis
- data visualization
- prediction
- data limitations
- analysis constraints
- interpretation caution
- model revision
- explanation update
- data impact assessment
- design optimization
- data-driven improvement
- solution refinement
- quantitative claims
- qualitative claims
- data-based reasoning
- explanation construction
- evidence-based reasoning
- explanation revision
- scientific application
- phenomena explanation
- design solution explanation
- argument comparison
- evidence evaluation
- explanation critique
- argument construction
- evidence-based argumentation
- hypothesis vs theory vs law
- scientific terminology
- conceptual differentiation
- model evaluation
- model limitations
- model merit assessment
- system identification
- system communication
- multi-format representation
- model development
- computational modeling
- simulation
- phenomena prediction
- source comparison
- information integration
- media evaluation
- credibility assessment
- information gathering
- source evaluation
- authoritative sources
- technical reading
- scientific communication
- technical communication
- multi-format presentation
How to study and practice SOL PH.1
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether PH.1 is already solid, then work each skill above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see our Virginia SOL practice tests guide and how to study for the SOL test.
Frequently asked questions about SOL PH.1
What is Virginia SOL PH.1?
SOL PH.1 is a Physics I Standard of Learning in the Scientific and Engineering Practices strand. It expects students to demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through inquiry, investigation, and communication.
What skills does SOL PH.1 cover?
SOL PH.1 is assessed on 27 skills: ask questions arising from observation of phenomena, examination of models/theories, or unexpected results; determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of a school laboratory; formulate hypotheses specifying the relationship between dependent and independent variables; generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles; define design problems involving interacting components, criteria, and constraints; plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations individually or collaboratively; conduct investigations or test design solutions safely; select and use appropriate tools and technology to collect, record, analyze, and evaluate data; record and present data in organized formats communicating relationships and quantities mathematically; use data to build, revise, or test models, explanations, or solutions; analyze data using computational, mathematical, statistical tools to make valid scientific claims or optimize designs; analyze data graphically and use graphs to make predictions; consider limitations of data analysis when interpreting results; evaluate the effects of new data on existing explanations or models; analyze data to optimize a design solution; make quantitative and/or qualitative claims based on data; construct and revise explanations based on valid and reliable evidence; apply scientific ideas, principles, or evidence to explain phenomena or design solutions; compare and evaluate competing arguments in light of accepted explanations and new evidence; construct arguments or counterarguments based on data and evidence; differentiate between scientific hypothesis, theory, and law; evaluate the merits and limitations of models; identify and communicate components of a system in multiple formats (oral, graphical, textual, mathematical); develop and/or use models (including mathematical and computational) and simulations to visualize, explain, and predict phenomena; compare, integrate, and evaluate sources of scientific or technical information in different media or formats; gather, read, and evaluate scientific and/or technical information from multiple authoritative sources; communicate scientific and/or technical information about phenomena or design processes in multiple formats.
What strand of Physics I is SOL PH.1 in?
SOL PH.1 belongs to the Scientific and Engineering Practices reporting strand of the Physics I Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL PH.1?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether PH.1 is already solid, then work the 27 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.