Physics II Advanced Survey · Scientific and Engineering Practices
Virginia SOL PHII.1
Virginia SOL PHII.1 is part of the Scientific and Engineering Practices strand in Physics II Advanced Survey (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through questioning, investigation, data analysis, modeling, and communication. Below is what PHII.1 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice PHII.1 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL PHII.1 means
Demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through questioning, investigation, data analysis, modeling, and communication.
Skills you’ll practice for PHII.1
- Ask questions that arise from observation of phenomena, examination of models/theories, or unexpected results.
- Determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of a school laboratory or field setting.
- Formulate hypotheses specifying the relationship between independent and dependent variables.
- Generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles.
- Define design problems involving processes/systems with interacting components, criteria, and constraints.
- Plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations; identify variables, constants, and controls.
- Conduct investigations or test design solutions safely and ethically, considering environmental, social, and personal effects.
- Determine appropriate sample size and techniques for investigations.
- Select and use appropriate tools and technology to collect and record data.
- Construct and interpret data tables showing independent/dependent variables, repeated trials, and means.
- Construct, analyze, and interpret graphical displays of data, including slope, intercept, and area under the curve.
- Use data to build and revise models, support explanations, or test solutions.
- Solve problems using mathematical manipulations including SI units, scientific notation, derived units, significant digits, and dimensional analysis.
- Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine optimal design solutions.
- Consider limitations of data analysis including instrument limitations, sampling selection, and measurement error.
- Differentiate between accuracy and precision of measurements.
- Analyze data to optimize a design.
- Construct and revise explanations based on valid and reliable evidence from models, theories, simulations, peer review, or investigations.
- Make quantitative and/or qualitative claims based on data.
- Apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence to explain phenomena or design solutions.
- Compare and evaluate competing arguments or design solutions in light of accepted explanations and new evidence.
- Make and support a claim using empirical evidence and scientific reasoning.
- Evaluate a claim by applying scientific reasoning, theory, and/or models to link evidence to explanations.
- Evaluate the merits and limitations of models.
- Develop, revise, and/or use models based on evidence to illustrate or predict relationships, support explanations, or solve problems.
- Apply mathematical and statistical concepts and processes in building and revising models.
- Derive mathematical models (equations) from experimental data.
- Compare, integrate, and evaluate sources of information presented in different media or formats to address a scientific question.
- Gather, read, and evaluate scientific and/or technical information from multiple authoritative sources, assessing evidence and credibility.
- Communicate scientific and/or technical information about phenomena or a design process in multiple formats.
Key concepts covered by PHII.1
- phenomena observation
- model analysis
- theory examination
- unexpected results
- investigable questions
- laboratory scope
- field investigation
- hypothesis formation
- independent variable
- dependent variable
- variable manipulation
- hypothesis generation
- research-based hypotheses
- scientific principles
- design problem definition
- system components
- criteria and constraints
- investigation planning
- variable identification
- constants
- controls
- safe investigation
- ethical considerations
- environmental impact
- social impact
- sample size determination
- sampling techniques
- data collection
- data collection tools
- technology selection
- measurement tools
- data tables
- independent variables
- dependent variables
- repeated trials
- means
- graphical data analysis
- slope
- intercept
- area under curve
- data interpretation
- data modeling
- model revision
- explanatory models
- solution testing
- mathematical manipulations
- SI units
- scientific notation
- derived units
- significant digits
- dimensional analysis
- data analysis
- scientific claims
- design optimization
- reliability assessment
- data limitations
- instrument limitations
- sampling selection
- measurement error
- accuracy
- precision
- instrument calibration
- data optimization
- design refinement
- performance analysis
- explanation construction
- evidence-based reasoning
- peer review
- model validation
- quantitative claims
- qualitative claims
- scientific application
- phenomena explanation
- design solution justification
- argument comparison
- design evaluation
- evidence-based assessment
- claim formulation
- empirical evidence
- scientific reasoning
- claim evaluation
- theoretical models
- evidence linking
- model evaluation
- model limitations
- predictive accuracy
- model development
- predictive modeling
- mathematical modeling
- statistical analysis
- model refinement
- mathematical derivation
- experimental data
- equation formulation
- source comparison
- information integration
- media literacy
- scientific inquiry
- source evaluation
- authoritative sources
- evidence assessment
- credibility analysis
- scientific communication
- technical reporting
- multi-format presentation
How to study and practice SOL PHII.1
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether PHII.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 PHII.1
What is Virginia SOL PHII.1?
SOL PHII.1 is a Physics II Advanced Survey Standard of Learning in the Scientific and Engineering Practices strand. It expects students to demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through questioning, investigation, data analysis, modeling, and communication.
What skills does SOL PHII.1 cover?
SOL PHII.1 is assessed on 30 skills: ask questions that arise from observation of phenomena, examination of models/theories, or unexpected results; determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of a school laboratory or field setting; formulate hypotheses specifying the relationship between independent and dependent variables; generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles; define design problems involving processes/systems with interacting components, criteria, and constraints; plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations; identify variables, constants, and controls; conduct investigations or test design solutions safely and ethically, considering environmental, social, and personal effects; determine appropriate sample size and techniques for investigations; select and use appropriate tools and technology to collect and record data; construct and interpret data tables showing independent/dependent variables, repeated trials, and means; construct, analyze, and interpret graphical displays of data, including slope, intercept, and area under the curve; use data to build and revise models, support explanations, or test solutions; solve problems using mathematical manipulations including SI units, scientific notation, derived units, significant digits, and dimensional analysis; analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine optimal design solutions; consider limitations of data analysis including instrument limitations, sampling selection, and measurement error; differentiate between accuracy and precision of measurements; analyze data to optimize a design; construct and revise explanations based on valid and reliable evidence from models, theories, simulations, peer review, or investigations; make quantitative and/or qualitative claims based on data; apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence to explain phenomena or design solutions; compare and evaluate competing arguments or design solutions in light of accepted explanations and new evidence; make and support a claim using empirical evidence and scientific reasoning; evaluate a claim by applying scientific reasoning, theory, and/or models to link evidence to explanations; evaluate the merits and limitations of models; develop, revise, and/or use models based on evidence to illustrate or predict relationships, support explanations, or solve problems; apply mathematical and statistical concepts and processes in building and revising models; derive mathematical models (equations) from experimental data; compare, integrate, and evaluate sources of information presented in different media or formats to address a scientific question; gather, read, and evaluate scientific and/or technical information from multiple authoritative sources, assessing evidence and credibility; communicate scientific and/or technical information about phenomena or a design process in multiple formats.
What strand of Physics II Advanced Survey is SOL PHII.1 in?
SOL PHII.1 belongs to the Scientific and Engineering Practices reporting strand of the Physics II Advanced Survey Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL PHII.1?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether PHII.1 is already solid, then work the 30 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.