An 8th-grade physical science course is a study of the fundamental concepts of physics and chemistry. The course covers a wide range of topics, including motion and stability, energy, waves and wave properties, electricity and magnetism, atomic structure and the periodic table, chemical reactions, Earth systems and Engineering design. Students will learn about these concepts through hands-on experimentation, observation, data analysis, and problem-solving. The course will also include the use of mathematical equations and models to explain the physical phenomena. Students will learn about the principles of motion, energy, and waves and how they apply to the world around them. They will also learn about the properties of matter, chemical reactions, and the Earth’s environment. Additionally, the course will include a focus on the engineering design process, and how it can be used to solve real-world problems. The course will also help students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills and prepare them for high school science classes.

1. Motion and Stability: This topic covers the study of how objects move and how they stay in motion or come to rest. Students will learn about the concepts of force, velocity, acceleration, and Newton’s laws of motion. They will also learn about the relationship between forces and motion, and how forces can affect stability and balance.
2. Energy: This topic covers the study of energy, including kinetic and potential energy, thermal energy, and energy transfer. Students will learn about the different forms of energy, and how energy can be transferred from one form to another. They will also learn about the relationship between energy and work, and how energy can be conserved.
3. Waves and Wave Properties: This topic covers the study of waves, including transverse and longitudinal waves, and the properties of waves, such as wavelength, frequency, and amplitude. Students will learn about the different types of waves, including sound and light waves, and how they interact with different materials.
4. Electricity and Magnetism: This topic covers the study of electricity and magnetism, including electric circuits, electrical energy, and magnetism. Students will learn about the different forms of electricity and magnetism, and how they interact with each other. They will also learn about the properties of electric circuits, including resistance and current.
5. Atomic Structure and Periodic Table: This topic covers the study of atoms and the periodic table, including the structure of atoms, the properties of elements, and chemical bonding. Students will learn about the different parts of an atom, including protons, neutrons, and electrons, and how they interact to form chemical bonds. They will also learn about the periodic table and how it is organized.
6. Chemical Reactions: This topic covers the study of chemical reactions, including chemical equations, chemical bonds, and the properties of matter. Students will learn about the different types of chemical reactions, how to balance chemical equations, and how to predict the products of a chemical reaction.
7. Earth Systems: This topic covers the study of Earth’s systems, including the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Students will learn about the different components of Earth’s systems, and how they interact with each other to create the Earth’s environment.
8. Engineering Design: This topic covers the use of engineering design process, including the ability to define a problem, design a solution, build and test a prototype, and communicate the solution. Students will learn how to apply the engineering design process to solve real-world problems, and how to communicate their solutions effectively.

Note that the order may vary based on the specific curriculum and the school district, but the above topics are the main one that should be covered in an 8th grade physical science course based on Next Generation Science Standards.