Course Title/ Grade/ Course Type: Physics, Grade 11, University Preparation
Ministry Course Code: SPH3U
Curriculum Document: Ministry of Education; The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12: Science, 2008 (revised); Growing Success, Ministry of Education, 2010
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course develops students’ understanding of the basic concepts of physics. Students will explore kinematics, with an emphasis on linear motion; different kinds of forces; energy transformations; the properties of mechanical waves and sound; and electricity and magnetism. They will enhance their scientific investigation skills as they test laws of physics. In addition, they will analyse the interrelationships between physics and technology, and consider the impact of technological applications of physics on society and the environment.
Outline of Course Content
Unit 0: Careers & Lab Safety
In this introductory unit, students will explore the career paths available for them as students of science. They will also learn the fundamentals of lab safety and WHIMIS.
Unit 1: Kinematics
Students will study uniform and non-uniform linear motion, in one and two dimensions. They will learn how to draw Position-Time, Velocity-Time, and Acceleration-Time Graphs. They will work on simulation labs and develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Unit 2: Forces
Students will demonstrate an understanding of Types of Forces, Newton’s Laws of Motion, net force, Friction, and Physics of cars. Students will learn how to solve problems by drawing Free-Body Diagrams They will work on Simulation Labs and develop their problem-solving skills. Students will be able to apply the concept of Newton’s law of Motion to various contexts.
Unit 3: Energy and Society
Students will analyze technologies that apply principles of and concepts related to energy transformations, and assess the technologies’ social and environmental impact. Students will investigate energy transformations and the law of conservation of energy, and solve related problems. Students will demonstrate an understanding of work, efficiency, power, gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, nuclear energy, and thermal energy and its transfer.
Unit 4: Waves and Sound
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the properties of mechanical waves, sound, and of the principles underlying their behavior. Students will investigate the properties of mechanical waves and sound, and solve related problems. They will work on the Simulation Lab of Wave on a string, Wave interference, and Sound.
Unit 5: Electricity and Magnetism
Students will study magnetic fields, the principles of current and electron flow, and the operation of selected technologies that use these properties and principles to produce and transmit electrical
energy. Students will investigate Ohm ‘s Law, the relation between Electricity and Magnetism, and will apply their learning to simulations. Students will develop their problem-solving skills with Electric Circuits.
Final Mark will be determined following percentages:
70% Determined by the evaluations conducted throughout the duration of the course:
Products – Assignments, Test, Report, Essay, Journals, Portfolio
Observations – Presentations, Debates
Conversations – Conferences with the Teacher
30% Final Exam and/or Final Culminating Activity