Discover Physics | High School Physics Course for Homeschoolers

Discover Physics (Level C)

Full-year course: $279

Discover Physics is an honors-level high school course that combines engaging video lessons, interactive labs, and real-world experiments to help students grasp the fundamental laws that govern our world.

Taught by experienced educators who make science both fun and practical, this course develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills while preparing students for college-level STEM studies—no physics background required.

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PREVIEW LESSONS

✔️ Video Lessons

✔️ Lab Assignments

✔️ Quizzes & Exams

✔️ Reading Assignments

Everything you need for a complete science experience:

35 weeks of engaging video lessons—2 videos with every weekly lesson
Lab Manual with weekly laboratory experiments and activities*
Student Guidebook with fill-in-the-blank outlines and study guides*
Weekly homework questions and practice equations to deepen understanding of scientific concepts
Weekly comprehension quizzes
Exams to gauge your student’s understanding
Lab videos to walk your student through laboratory exercises
Optional reading assignments from our recommended textbook, PLUS alternative reading lists for several other textbooks
Course guide
Certificate of completion
Start anytime after purchase and get 12 months of access

*Manuals and guidebooks are included as a PDF download with the purchase of your course. Physical copies available to purchase separately.

Scope & Sequence

This honors level high school course provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles of physics. Students will engage in rigorous study, problem-solving activities, and hands-on experimentation to help them understand the laws governing our physical world. Students delve into topics spanning motion, forces, energy, waves, electromagnetism, and the revolutionary concepts of relativity and quantum physics with an emphasis on mathematical applications for modeling natural phenomena.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Physics

“Laws” of physics
Proportions and mathematical models
Measurement and units
Graphing as a modeling tool

Lesson 2: A Brief History of Physics

Natural philosophy
Classical physics
Modern physics
Aristotle, Galileo, Newton, and Einstein

Lesson 3: Vibrations & Waves

Vibrations and energy
Period, frequency, and wavelength
Amplitude
Interference
Wave equation

Lesson 4: Sound Waves

Medium of transmission
Speed of sound
Interference and acoustics
Doppler effect

Lesson 5: Light & Color

Electromagnetic waves and the electromagnetic spectrum
Energy, frequency, and wavelength
Rods and cones
Color absorption and emission

Lesson 6: Wave Optics

Reflection and refraction
Mirrors and lenses
Lensmaker’s equation

Lesson 7: Temperature & Heat

Thermal energy
Absolute vs relative temperature
Melting, freezing, boiling, and condensing
State vs temperature and pressure
Heat capacity

Lesson 8: Heat Transfer

Conservation of energy
Conduction, convection, and radiation
Newton’s law of cooling

Lesson 9: Thermodynamics

Three laws of thermodynamics
Entropy
“Zeroth” law of thermodynamics
Heat cycles
Engines

Lesson 10: Exam 1

Lesson 11: Linear Motion (Part 1)

Frame of reference and measuring motion
Speed, direction, and velocity
Distance vs time graphs
Constant motion

Lesson 12: Linear Motion (Part 2)

Changing motion, acceleration
Average speed vs instantaneous speed
Distance and velocity
Acceleration graphs
Acceleration due to gravity

Lesson 13: Two-Dimensional Motion

Vectors/2-D math
Changing direction as acceleration
Solving simultaneous equations
Projectile motion
Circular motion

Lesson 14: Newton’s Laws of Motion

Newton’s first law
Inertia and mass
Newton’s second law
Cause and effect
Newton’s third law

Lesson 15: Specific Forces

Gravity
“Normal” force
Friction and air resistance
Pressure and force
Centripetal force

Lesson 16: Momentum

Defining momentum
Momentum and Newton’s 2nd law
Law of conservation of momentum
Closed systems and collisions

Lesson 17: Energy of Motion

Defining and measuring energy
Potential and kinetic energy
Conservation of energy

Lesson 18: Rotational Motion

Similarity between rotational and linear motion
Rotational speed and acceleration
Linear motion as part of rotational motion

Lesson 19: Rotational Mechanics

Force vs torque
Mass vs rotational inertia
Rotational inertia of various solid shapes
Newton’s laws in rotation

Lesson 20: Exam 2

Lesson 21: Electrostatics

Electric charge
Polarization
Scientific notation
Coulomb’s law and problem solving

Lesson 22: Electric Fields

Electric potential
Potential differences
Fields of point charges
Fields of surfaces and shapes
Capacitors

Lesson 23: Electric Current

Conventional current
Conductors vs resistors
Closed vs open circuits
Potential and voltage
Ohm’s law

Lesson 24: Series & Parallel Circuits

Circuit diagrams and features
Series vs parallel definitions
Ohm’s law in series and parallel

Lesson 25: Magnetism

North vs South
Strength of force and magnetic fields
Magnetic equations

Lesson 26: Electromagnetism

Moving charges
Changing fields
Interconnectivity
Right-hand rule

Lesson 27: Exam 3

Lesson 28: Special Relativity (Part 1)

Classical relativity
Spacetime
Time dilation and time travel
Lorentz transformation

Lesson 29: Special Relativity (Part 2)

Length contraction
Energy and momentum
Mass-energy equivalence

Lesson 30: Universal Gravitation

Kepler’s laws of planetary motion
Newton’s law of gravity
Einstein’s general relativity

Lesson 31: Atomic & Nuclear Physics

Atomic structure
Nuclear radiation
Nuclear fission and fusion

Lesson 32: Introduction to Quantum Physics

Quanta defined
Blackbody radiation
Planck’s constant
The photoelectric effect
Electron energy levels
Standard Model of particle physics

Lesson 33: Quantum Systems

Two-slit interference of light
Two-slit interference of other particles
de Broglie wavelengths
Wave functions and Schrödinger’s wave equations
Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle

Lesson 34: Quantum Theories (Things Just Got Weirder)

Copenhagen interpretation
Schrödinger’s cat
Pilot wave theory
Many worlds theory
Quantum tunneling
Quantum entanglement

Lesson 35: Exam 4

Full-year course: $279

Pay in full or in 3 monthly installments
Generous multi-student discounts available for families with Level B & C students taking the same course in the same year
Educational Savings Accounts (ESA) available in many states

Trusted by more than 18,000 homeschool families worldwide

See why so many parents choose Journey Homeschool Academy for hands-on, faith-based science.

The thought of taking Physics was daunting! When we started homeschooling, I never dreamed I would have a child that would take high school physics, let alone attempt it at home. My strengths are not in math & science. Thanks to Journey Homeschool Academy, advanced high school science classes have been a positive experience for us! I have confidence my son will be graduating from high school with a quality, rigorous science foundation and will be well prepared for post-secondary education.

~Lacey

With 8 kids to homeschool, I needed to delegate some of the teaching to someone else…

Discover Physics is not only quality educational content presented clearly and enthusiastically by excellent teachers, it has an independent learning format for students. This was such a good choice for our family!

~Loretta

If I just had a textbook, I wouldn’t be able to understand Physics…

However, the videos make the concepts easy to understand and follow. The visuals really help me grasp what being taught. And if I still don’t get it, the ability to contact real teachers is life-changing!

~Faith L.

I see so many people put their kids back in school when they get to high school, because they lack the confidence to teach high school science. Thanks to you guys, that is no longer an excuse. The videos in this course are top notch and I like the layout of the workbook with the opportunity it provides to learn notetaking skills. This is a challenging course, designed well, and taught from a biblical worldview. Thank you for working so hard to put these amazing courses together!

~Jennifer G.

I had taken Experience Chemistry and Discover Physics was the next one on my list. What I like most about the course is how Luke and Trisha explain the topics in new ways from one another as it helps me better understand the concepts. I’ve also appreciated the pre-made notes!

~Sarah

I so appreciate the perfect blend of faith and science in this course.

The Gilkersons have a logical, faith-based approach to creation. They don’t try to make it preachy like some Christian curricula, but maintain a high-standard for science academics. I love that my children have their faith and beliefs validated and enhanced while still getting high-quality academics.

~Cris

I was concerned enrolling my kids in an online science course wouldn’t be a good use of our financial resources. However, by my estimate, each week’s lesson costs just a few dollars per week—an excellent value!
~Tammy

You’ve got questions… we’ve got answers

What’s included in my purchase?

You’ll have access to all lesson and lab videos along with PDF downloads of the student guidebook, lab guide, curriculum guide, answer keys, homework help videos, and sample lab reports.

Should you want a physical copy of the guidebook or lab guide, those are available for purchase in our store. It is highly recommended that you purchase the textbook Conceptual Physics.

You will also be responsible for purchasing lab supplies for any labs you’d like your student to complete.

Are there any math prerequisites for this course?

Your student should have completed an algebra 1 course prior to taking this physics course. This is a rigorous math-based, physics course.

When should my student take this course? What grade?

We recommend students take this course in the 11th or 12 grade. Many parents choose to list this course as an honors course on their student’s high school transcript. There is a lot of math and the course moves at a fast pace to cover all of the material.

If you are looking for a class for younger students or students you’re not sure would be able to keep up with the pace of this course, we recommend checking out our Astronomy, Biology, or Earth Science courses. These courses are less advanced, but still appropriate for students seeking a science class for high school credit.

When does the course begin?

You’ll have immediate access to the course as soon as you register!

Since this course is self-paced, you, the parent, have control over when your student begins the course. You can start as soon as you register, or wait a few weeks or months. Beginning the course is as easy as pressing a button. Once you begin the course for your student, they will have one year to access the course.

How long will I have access to this course?

You’ll have access to the course for one year of access — you decide when your student begins the course. There are 35 weekly lessons, so that should provide ample time for your student to complete the course. Once each video is live, your student can watch and re-watch it anytime they would like to throughout the duration of the course.

Does my child have to view the course videos on specific days or times?

No, students can watch the lessons any time throughout the week. Once released, each video can be reviewed as many times as the student wants through the end of the course.

Can my student earn high school credit for this course?

In most states, students need to accumulate at least 120 hours of instruction and course work to receive a high school credit.

Many parents choose to record Discover Physics as an honors level lab-science on their student’s high school transcript. We recommend your student complete all of the following to accumulate the necessary course hours for high school credit:

complete all the course lectures
take all the quizzes and exams
complete recommended readings
watch laboratory videos and complete a minimum of 15 lab assignments

How you use this course and the resources available is ultimately up to you, the parent, as this is a homeschool course.

Can I enroll more than one student in this course at the same time?

In the upper level course, each student receives their own grade, online portal, and auto-graded quiz so each student should enroll separately. We do offer generous multi-student discounts for families enrolling more than one student in the class at the same time.

Can we use a different textbook for this course?

We believe parents are best equipped to determine their students’ educational needs. As a homeschool course, you’re welcome to choose whatever textbook you’d prefer for your student to use or omit textbook reading altogether if you’d prefer. For most students, anytime they can use multiple modes of learning it helps them retain information better.

After reviewing many, many textbooks we chose Conceptual Physics: The High School Physics Program because we believe this textbook does an excellent job of reinforcing the concepts students are learning in the lectures. We provide recommended reading for your student from this book. If you choose to use another textbook, you’ll need to be sure to assign students what you’d like them to read each week.

We have also created alternative reading schedules to accompany several other commonly used textbooks by homeschoolers. While we cannot vouch for every detail in these textbooks, the reading lists provided here generally overlap with what is covered in each of the lessons in the course.

In addition to our recommended textbook, Conceptual Physics, we currently have a reading list available for the following textbooks:

Introductory Physics, Novare (2nd edition)
Exploring Creation with Physics, Apologia (2nd edition)
Physics, Bob Jones (3rd edition)
Physics: The Foundational Science, Abeka (2nd edition)

How long do students have to complete individual lessons?

We recommend students plan to complete one lesson per week to finish the course during a typical school year. Once your student begins the course they will receive access to the next lesson within 1-2 hours of completing the current lesson. This allows you the flexibility to work ahead if needed to account for vacations or time off while still finishing the course in the typical timeframe. Students will have a full calendar year to complete the course, so if they fall a week or two behind, they should still have plenty of time to complete the course.

Can I take this course if I live outside the U.S.?

You sure can! We’ve made sure to make the lessons applicable to those worldwide.

What additional books or supplies will I need for this course?

Students will need a number of different supplies to complete the labs and activities work. See the complete Discover Physics Lab Supply List.

It is highly recommended, though not required, that you purchase the textbook Conceptual Physics: The High School Physics Program. While this is our preferred textbook for the class, we’ve also included reading lists for several other textbooks, or you may omit textbook reading.

A PDF download of the Student Guidebook and Lab Guide are available as part of the course purchase.

Can I pay for this course with my Educational Savings Account (ESA)?

We are an approved vendor with several ESAs and are continuing to add to the list all the time! We’re happy to provide you with invoices or other information you need to submit to your ESA. You can see all the ESAs we’re currently approved vendors with and/or submit a request for us to apply to the ESA in your state.

Do you offer options for using this course with a co-op?

We offer co-op pricing for groups of 4 or more who have designated a single instructor/ facilitator. Co-op courses are designed for groups that are meeting at least weekly.

Our co-op courses are set up differently than our family programs to accommodate groups. You can learn more about our co-op courses here.

Please note: because of the way our group programs are set up, we are not able to communicate with individual parents of students within co-ops.

What is your refund policy?

We offer a 100% money-back, happiness guarantee within 30 days of the course start date OR 1 year from purchase date (whichever isless). Simply email us and we’ll give you a full refund.

Understanding the Fabulous Fit Promise

We want this course to be a fabulous fit for your family. Based on our parent and student feedback, we think you will be.

However, we offer a 100% money-back, happiness guarantee within 30 days of the course start date OR 1 year from purchase date (whichever is less).

Two engaging video lessons for every weekly lesson to help your child understand new and exciting concepts without feeling overwhelmed.

Carefully planned lab work with corresponding lab video lessons throughout the year so your child can discover physics—hands on! You can see the lab supply list here.