Physics (SPH3U)
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.
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| Units | Descriptions | Length (Approximately) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Kinematics Students will demonstrate an understanding of uniform and non-uniform linear motion, in one and two dimensions. They will investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, uniform and non-uniform motion, and solve related problems. They will analyse technologies that apply concepts related to kinematics, and assess the technologies' social and environmental impact. |
22 hours |
| 2. | Forces Students will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between changes in velocity and unbalanced forces in one dimension. They will investigate qualitatively and quantitatively net force, acceleration, and mass; and solve related problems. They will analyse and propose improvements to technologies that apply concepts related to dynamics and Newton's laws, and assess the technologies' social and environmental impact. |
21 hours |
| 3. | Energy and Society Students will demonstrate an understanding of work, efficiency, power, gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, nuclear energy, and thermal energy and its transfer as heat. They will investigate energy transformations and the law of conservation of energy, and solve related problems. They will analyse technologies that apply principles of, and concepts related to energy transformations, and assess the technologies' social and environmental impact. |
20 hours |
| 4. | Waves and Sound Students will demonstrate an understanding of the properties of mechanical waves and sound and of the principles underlying their production, transmission, interaction, and reception. They will investigate the properties of mechanical waves and sound, and solve related problems. They will analyse how mechanical waves and sound affect technology, structures, society, and the environment, and assess ways of reducing their negative side effects. |
20 hours |
| 5. | Electricity and Magnetism Students will demonstrate an understanding of the properties of magnetic fields, the principles of current and electron flow, and the operation of selected technologies that use the properties and principles to produce and transmit electrical energy. They will investigate magnetic fields and electric circuits and solve related problems. They will analyse the social, economic and environmental impact of electrical energy production and technologies related to electromagnetism, and propose ways to improve the sustainability of electrical energy production. |
17 hours |
| 1 Culminating Task---2 Hrs. 2 Final Exam Review---4 Hrs. 3 Practice Exam----2 Hrs. 4. Final Exam----2 Hrs. | 10 hours | |
| Total | 110 hours | |
Overall Curriculum Expectations
By the end of the course, students will have in depth knowledge of the following topics
- Demonstrate scientific investigation skills (related to both inquiry and research) in the four areas of skills (initiating and planning, performing and recording, analysing and interpreting, and communicating);
- Identify and describe careers related to the fields of science under study, and describe the contributions of scientists, including Canadians, to those fields.
By the end of the course, students will have in depth knowledge of the following topics
- Motion involves a change in the position of an object over time.
- Motion can be described using mathematical relationships.
- Many technologies that apply concepts related to kinematics have societal and environmental implications.
By the end of the course, students will have in depth knowledge of the following topics
- Forces can change the motion of an object.
- Applications of Newton’s laws of motion have led to technological developments that affect society and the environment.
By the end of the course, students will have in depth knowledge of the following topics
- Energy can be transformed from one type to another.
- Energy transformation systems often involve thermal energy losses and are never 100% efficient.
- Although technological applications that involve energy transformations can affect society and the environment in positive ways, they can also have negative effects, and therefore must be used responsibly.
By the end of the course, students will have in depth knowledge of the following topics
- Mechanical waves have specific characteristics and predictable properties.
- Sound is a mechanical wave.
- Mechanical waves can affect structures, society, and the environment in positive and negative ways.
By the end of the course, students will have in depth knowledge of the following topics
- Relationships between electricity and magnetism are predictable.
- Electricity and magnetism have many technological applications.
Assessment & Evaluation of student performance
Assessment is regular and continuous and is used for the improvement of teaching and learning and not for grade reporting. Assessments will be based on both formative and summative processes.
Formative assessments are learning practices that provide important feedback to student progress. Examples include homework and quizzes.
Summative assessments form a foundation for final mark allotment at the end of the unit, term and final evaluation.
Formative assessments are learning practices that provide important feedback to student progress. Examples include homework and quizzes.
Summative assessments form a foundation for final mark allotment at the end of the unit, term and final evaluation.
Evaluation will be done after teaching by using summative assessment strategies on particular ‘chunks’ of work.
An achievement chart will be given to students at regular intervals and the purpose of the charts is to provide feedback to students in relation to content and performance strands.
An achievement chart will be given to students at regular intervals and the purpose of the charts is to provide feedback to students in relation to content and performance strands.
Assessment and evaluation in this course will reflect provincial curriculum expectations and will incorporate the use of the four categories of the Provincial Achievement Chart with each category weighted as follows:
| Knowledge and understanding | Communication | Thinking Inquiry and Problem solving | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25% | 25% | 25% | 25% |
Unit Tests, Written assignments, presentations, Classroom Observations and Classroom conversations.
Pass Percentage