SPH4U (Grade 12 Physics)

Grade: Grade 12

Course Name: Physics

Course Code: SPH4U

Course Type: University Preparatory Course

Credit Value: 1.0

Pilot Course: SPH3U

Course Description

This course enables students to deepen their understanding of physical concepts and theories. Students will continue to explore energy conversion and the forces that affect motion, and will study electric fields, gravity, magnetic fields, and electromagnetic radiation. Students will also explore the wave nature of light, quantum mechanics, and special relativity. They will further develop their scientific investigation skills, learning, for example, how to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze data related to various physical concepts and principles. Students will also consider the social and environmental impact of technological applications of physics.

Unit title and description

dynamics

Students will review concepts critical to their success in the course: scientific notation, significant numbers, vector operations, and basic math tools. Kinematic principles and free body diagrams will also be reviewed and expanded. By the end of this unit, students will demonstrate and understand the forces involved in uniform circular and planar motion. They will study the forces involved in these movement patterns and address related questions. They will analyze technical devices that apply principles of motion dynamics, in particular the effects of gravity on the human body.

energy and momentum

Students will demonstrate an understanding of work, energy, and momentum. Drawing on the 10-level concepts of the law of conservation of energy, they extended these concepts to the conservation of momentum in one and two dimensions. Through computer simulations and other forms of inquiry, they will investigate these phenomena and address related questions. They will analyze and recommend improvements to techniques and procedures that apply principles related to energy and momentum, and assess the social and environmental impacts of these techniques and procedures.

Gravity, Electric and Magnetic Fields

At the end of this unit, students will demonstrate an understanding of the concepts, properties, principles and laws related to gravitational, electric and magnetic fields, especially with regard to their interaction with matter. They will study these phenomena graphically and by using other electronic models. They will analyze the operation of technologies using these areas and discuss the social and environmental impacts of these technologies.

The volatility of light

Building on concepts developed during grade 10, students will study the wave nature of light. The properties of waves will be discussed in a general sense and the principles of diffraction, refraction, interference and polarization will be investigated through theory and simulation. Techniques for harnessing knowledge of light's volatility and its social and environmental impacts will be discussed.

Revolution in Modern Physics: Quantum Mechanics and Special Relativity

In this unit, some of the most exciting and counterintuitive concepts in physics will be studied, including Einstein's thoughts on relativity, the photoelectric effect and particle physics. Quantum mechanics and special relativity will be studied mathematically and related problems will be solved. Following the revolutionary ideas studied in this unit, students will discuss how the introduction of new conceptual models has influenced and changed scientific thinking and led to the development of new technologies.

final assessment

exam

This is a proctored exam that counts for 30% of the final grade.

Overall Course Expectations

A. Scientific Expedition Skills and Career Exploration

A1

Demonstrate scientific investigation skills (related to inquiry and research) in four skill areas (initiating and planning, executing and documenting, analyzing and interpreting, and communicating);

A2

Identify and describe various occupations related to the fields of science studied and identify scientists, including Canadians, who have contributed to these fields.

B. Kinetics

B1

Analyse technical devices that apply principles of motion dynamics and assess the social and environmental impacts of the technology;

B2

Qualitatively and quantitatively study the forces involved in uniform circular motion and planar motion, and solve related problems;

B3

Demonstrate an understanding of the forces involved in uniform circular and planar motion.

C. Energy and Momentum

C1

Analyse technologies or processes that apply principles related to energy and momentum and propose ways to improve them, and assess the social and environmental impacts of these technologies or processes;

C2

Through laboratory exploration or computer simulation, qualitatively and quantitatively study the relationship between the law of conservation of energy and the law of conservation of momentum, and solve related problems;

C3

Demonstrate an understanding of work, energy, momentum, and the laws of conservation of energy and momentum in one and two dimensions.

D. Gravity, Electric and Magnetic Fields

D1

analyse the operation of technologies that use gravity, electric or magnetic fields and assess the social and environmental impacts of these technologies;

D2

Investigate gravity, electric and magnetic fields from a qualitative and quantitative perspective, and solve related problems;

D3

Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts, properties, principles, and laws related to gravity, electric and magnetic fields, and their interactions with matter.

E. The volatility of light

E1

Analyse technologies that exploit the wave nature of light and assess their impact on society and the environment;

E2

Study the properties of waves and light from a qualitative and quantitative perspective, and solve related problems;

E3

Demonstrate an understanding of the properties of waves and light related to diffraction, refraction, interference, and polarization.

F. The Revolution in Modern Physics: Quantum Mechanics and Special Relativity

F1

Analyse how the introduction of new conceptual models and theories affects and/or changes scientific thought and leads to the development of new technologies, with reference to quantum mechanics and relativity;

F2

Study special relativity and quantum mechanics, and solve related problems;

F3

Demonstrate an understanding of the evidence supporting fundamental concepts of quantum mechanics and Einstein's special theory of relativity.

teaching strategy:

The overarching goal of this course is to help students learn science and apply their knowledge and skills. Course writers use language effectively, with skill, confidence and flexibility. Effective teaching methods and learning activities draw on students' prior knowledge, engage their interest, and encourage meaningful practice. Students engage when they can see the connection between the scientific concepts they are learning and their application in the world around them and in real life. Teachers will provide activities and challenges that engage students actively in inquiry, respecting the ideas and skills students bring to them, while further deepening their conceptual understanding and fundamental skills. Understanding big ideas will enable and encourage students to use scientific thinking throughout their lives. Likewise, contextualized teaching and learning provides teachers with useful insights into students' thinking, understanding of concepts, and ability to reflect on what they are doing. This insight enables teachers to provide support to help enhance student learning. A variety of teaching strategies are used to provide learning opportunities to suit various learning styles, interests and ability levels.