HS-PS3-2

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HS-PS3-3 →

Develop and use models to illustrate that energy at the macroscopic scale can be accounted for as a combination of energy associated with the motions of particles (objects) and energy associated with the relative position of particles (objects).

Clarification statement: Examples of phenomena at the macroscopic scale could include the conversion of kinetic energy to thermal energy, the energy stored due to position of an object above Earth, and the energy stored between two electrically- charged plates. Examples of models could include diagrams, drawings, descriptions, and computer simulations.

Assessment

What assessment of HS-PS3-2 might look like on a NY state exam.

Exam	Cluster	Question
June 2026	Pendulum Motion	Question 1
	Pendulum Motion	Question 2
	Motorcycle Helmets	Question 19
Sample clusters (Spring 2025)	Bungee Jumping	Question 3
	Bungee Jumping	Question 5

Performance Level Descriptions

PLDs communicate the knowledge and skills expected of students to demonstrate proficiency in each Learning Standard. NYS assessments classify student performance into one of five levels.

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Level 1: Given a model and/or information, identify the form(s) of energy associated with motion of and/or relative position of particles (objects).

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Level 2: Given a model and/or information, predict energy transfers associated with the motion and relative position of particles (objects).

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Level 3: Revise or complete a model(s) to illustrate that energy at the macroscopic scale is a combination of energies associated with the motion of and relative position of particles (objects).

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Level 4: Develop and use models to illustrate that energy at the macroscopic scale can be accounted for as a combination of energy associated with the motions of particles (objects) and energy associated with the relative position of particles (objects).

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Level 5: Develop and use multiple models to illustrate that energy at the macroscopic scale can be accounted for as a combination of energy associated with the motions of particles (objects) and energy associated with the relative position of particles (objects), and revise the models to reflect one or more changes in system parameters.

Vocabulary

Terms from the Physics Glossary that come from this standard or from the released exam questions that assess it.

From this standard

• component of a system
• computer simulation
• configuration
• conversion of kinetic energy to thermal energy
• electrically-charged plates
• energy
• energy stored due to position
• energy stored in fields
• energy transfer
• evidence
• field
• interaction
• light
• macroscopic scale
• microscopic scale
• motions of particles
• object
• quantitative
• radiation
• relative position
• sound
• system
• thermal energy
• total energy

From released exam questions

• air resistance – Sample 2025
• energy bar graph – June 2026
• energy transformation – June 2026
• force – June 2026
• fractional amount of energy – June 2026
• friction – June 2026
• gravitational force – Sample 2025
• kinetic energy – June 2026
• lowest point – June 2026
• mechanical energy – Sample 2025
• neglect friction – June 2026
• pendulum – June 2026
• potential energy – June 2026
• rebound – Sample 2025
• release point – June 2026
• simulation – June 2026

Implied by this standard

• electric potential energy – implied by "the energy stored between two electrically-charged plates"

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of HS-PS3-2.

This section could be expanded upon. You can help out by adding to this section.

NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation HS-PS3-2 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

• Developing and Using Models
  • Develop and use a model based on evidence to illustrate the relationships between systems or between components of a system.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

• PS3.A: Definitions of Energy
  • Energy is a quantitative property of a system that depends on the motion and interactions of matter and radiation within that system. That there is a single quantity called energy is due to the fact that a system's total energy is conserved, even as, within the system, energy is continually transferred from one object to another and between its various possible forms.
  • At the macroscopic scale, energy manifests itself in multiple ways, such as in motion, sound, light, and thermal energy.
  • These relationships are better understood at the microscopic scale, at which all of the different manifestations of energy can be modeled as a combination of energy associated with the motion of particles and energy associated with the configuration (relative position of the particles). In some cases the relative position energy can be thought of as stored in fields (which mediate interactions between particles). This last concept includes radiation, a phenomenon in which energy is stored in fields moves across space.

Crosscutting Concepts

• Energy and Matter
  • Energy can be transferred between one place and another place, between objects and/or fields, or between systems.

Page contributors: Caroline Leonard, Conrad Richman

Physics | HS. Energy