Course Outline
Course Title: Grade 12 Physics, University Preparation
Course Code: SPH4U
Prerequisite: Grade 11 Physics, University Preparation (SPH3U)
Textbook: Nelson, Physics 12
This course was designed in accordance with the Ontario Curriculum Policy Document
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course enables students to deepen their understanding of physics concepts and theories. Students will continue their exploration of energy transformations and the forces that affect motion, and will investigate electrical, gravitational, and magnetic fields and electromagnetic radiation. Students will also explore the wave nature of light, quantum mechanics, and special relativity.
UNIT OF STUDY
1 - Dynamics: Forces affect motion in predictable and quantifiable ways. Many technologies that utilize the principles of dynamics have societal and environmental implications.
2 - Energy and Momentum: Energy and momentum are conserved in all interactions, and the involved laws can be analysed mathematically. Technological applications that involve energy and momentum can affect society and the environment in positive and negative ways.
3 - Gravitation, Electric and Magnetic Fields: Gravitational, electric, and magnetic forces act on matter from a distance, and share may similar properties which can be described mathematically.
4 - The Wave Nature of Light: Light has properties that are similar to the properties of mechanical waves. The behaviour of light as a wave can be described mathematically. Technologies that use the principles of the wave nature of light can have societal and environmental implications.
5 - Revolutions in Modern Physics: Light can show particle-like and wave-like behaviour, and particles can show wavelike behaviour. These behaviours can be described mathematically.
ASSESSMENT, EVALUATION, and MARK BREAKDOWN
Assessment and evaluation will be based on the provincial curriculum expectations and the achievement levels outlined in the curriculum policy document for secondary science.
Assessment FOR and AS Learnings: designed to give multiple opportunities for students to make improvements to their work: e.g. teacher-student conferences, peer conferencing, homework, practice, question and answer sessions, group activities, review worksheets, quizzes, discussion forums.
Assessment OF Learning: designed to make judgements on final achievements of performance based on observations, converstaions and student performance.
The final course mark will consist of 70% term work and 30% final evaluation.
LEARNING SKILLS & WORK HABITS
