SPH4U: COURSE OUTLINE COURSE OUTLINE This course will enable students to deepen their understanding of physics concepts and theories. Students will investigate a variety of physics concepts including kinematics, dynamics, momentum, light, electricity, magnetism, modern physics and more. Throughout the course students will improve their scientific investigation skills by learning how to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze data related to a variety of physics concepts and principles. Students will also explore technological applications of physics and their effects on society and the environment. CLASS REQUIREMENTS textbook Physics three-ring binder scientific calculator pencils, erasers, ruler lined paper LEARNING SKILLS In addition to course expectations students are to demonstrate and be assessed in each of the following six learning skills: Responsibility, Organization, Independent Work, Collaboration, Initiative and Self-regulation. The learning skills are evaluated as Excellent, Good, Satisfactory, or Needs Improvement. ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES A variety of assessment strategies including, but not limited to quizzes, tests, assignments, investigations, laboratory experiments, exams and projects will be used to assess students learning. EVALUATION Marks Knowledge and Understanding Thinking and Inquiry Communication Application Term (70 %) 20 % 20 % 15 % 15 % Final Evaluation (30 %) The final exam will incorporate all of the categories. UNIT DESCRIPTIONS Unit 1: Kinematics and Dynamics Students will explore motion in 2-D, representing displacement, velocity, acceleration, projectile motion, and coordinate systems using vectors, graphs, and mathematical equations. In dynamics, students will learn about free body diagrams, Newton s Laws of Motion, and uniform circular motion, making connections to kinematics and real world applications. Unit 2: Energy and Momentum In this unit students will explore energy transformations and he forces that affect the motion. Students will apply their knowledge of kinetic energy and potential energy from previous years and build upon them. A strong focus on conservations of energy and collisions will be present in a variety of problems students will explore and solve. Exploration in careers and renewable energy sources will be explored in this unit. Unit 3: Gravitational, Electric, and Magnetic Fields Students will investigate gravitational, electric and magnetic forces and how they act on objects from a distance. Next students will explore the concept of a field and the properties and behaviour of gravitational, electric and magnetic fields, and how to describe these attributes mathematically. Students will then apply their knowledge while exploring the technological systems that involve gravitational, electric, and magnetic files, and their effects on society and the environment.
Unit 4: The Wave Nature of Light This unit focuses on relating the properties and characteristics of light to similar properties and characteristics found in mechanical waves. Students will mathematically and qualitatively interpret refraction, reflection, diffraction and interference of waves. Students will then explore applications of the wave nature of light such as single slit diffraction, interference in thin films, and the electromagnetic spectrum. Unit 5: Modern Physics This unit focuses on introducing physics concepts that are pertinent to the subject as it is studied today. Students will identify the conceptual problems encountered by physicists at the turn of the 20th century, and learn how the development of special relativity and quantum mechanics redefined our understanding of the physical universe, and the effects their progression have had on physics today. RATIONALE For Time Spent on Each Unit and Order of Units The units are ordered so that knowledge learnt in one is useful for another. For example, vectors are introduced in the beginning since kinematics since this is vital to dynamics, momentum, electricity and magnetism. They are sequenced in a way that provides logical connections to topics. The modern physics unit comes toward the end since student require prior knowledge before introducing these more difficult concepts. Time spent on each unit correlates to the amount of material needed to be covered and the importance of each topic to higher physics. Unit 1 spends a large amount of time building mathematical skills with vectors/trigonometry and problem solving skills that are carried into the later units. Unit 2 uses prior knowledge on potential and kinetic energy to build upon more advanced problems, as well as applying energy conservation laws to 1D and 2D elastic and inelastic collisions. Unit 3 takes up a fair amount of time as it encompasses many different topics. This unit is very dense and is usually a difficult unit for students. This unit builds on previous skills but also involves many new concepts. Unit 4: The Wave Nature of Light spans over 14 lessons. There are two chapters in the Wave Nature of Light that encompasses several important derivations. Although the derivations take some time to go over, the equations themselves are easy to rearrange and work with. Students will have time after each lesson to go over practice problems so a work period is not a necessity. Unit 5, as the last completed unit of the course, focuses on introducing students to the concepts and theories that have led to current areas of study in physics, and contains the most advanced topics in the course. As such this unit s coverage and depth of content has the potential to vary based on class understanding and time spent on other units. Unlike other units, the focus is on conceptual thinking as opposed to direct problem solving. DAY PLAN Day Topic 1 Introduction/How to Estimate (Fermi Questions) Unit 1: Kinematics and Dynamics 2 Uniform motion 3 Motions graphs 4 Uniformly accelerating motion 5 2-D vectors displacement 6 2-D velocity and acceleration 7, 8, 9 Projectile Motion 10 Relative Velocity 11 Review 12 Kinematics Test
13 Newton s Laws 14 Newton s Laws: Apply to Questions 15 Friction (Kinetic and Static) 16 Uniform Circular Motion 17 Centripetal Acceleration 18 Rotating Frames of Reference 19 Culminating Crime Task:Road Rage 20 Review 21 Dynamics Test Unit 2: Energy and Momentum 22 Work 23 Kinetic Energy and Work-Energy Theorem 24 Potential Energy 25 Conservation of Energy 26/27 Elastic Potential Energy and Simple Harmonic Motion 28 Springs and Conservation of Energy 29/30 Momentum and Impulse/ Chapter Quiz 31 Conservation of Momentum in 1 Dimension 32/33 Collisions 34 Head-on Elastic Collisions 35 Collisions in 2 Dimensions 36 Car Crash WebQuest 37 Review 38 Unit Test Unit 3: Gravitational, Electric, and Magnetic Fields 39 Newtonian Gravitation 40 Orbits 41 Applications of Gravitational Fields 42 Observational Study: Universal Gravitation Observational Study: Design a Solar System 43 Review / Quiz 44 Properties of Electric Charge
45 Coulomb s Law 46 Electric Fields 47 Potential Difference and Electric Potential 48 Electric Potential and Electric Potential Energy due to Point Charges 49 Millikan Oil Drop Experiment 50 Observational Study: Coulomb s Law Observational Study: The Millikan Experiment 51 Review / Quiz 52 Magnets and Electromagnets 53 Magnetic Forces on Moving Charges 54 Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor 55 Motion of Charged Particles in Magnetic Fields 56 Applications of Electric and Magnetic Fields Explore an Application in Electromagnetic Fields Controlled Experiment: Observing the Magnetic Force on a Moving Charge 57 Crime Scene Investigation 58 Review / Quiz 59 Unit Test Unit 4: The Wave Nature of Light 60 Properties of Waves - Reflection and Refraction 61 Dispersion & Total Internal Reflection 62 Diffraction and Interference of Water Waves 63 Light: Wave or Particle? 64 Lab: Young s Double Slit Experiment 65 Review Period 66 Waves and Light Chapter Test 67 Interference in Thin FIlms 68 Single Slit Diffraction 69 Diffraction Gratings 70 Electromagnetic Radiation 71 Polarization 72 Review Period 73 Application of the Wave Nature of Light: Chapter Test
Unit 5: Modern Physics 74 Introduction to Modern Physics 75 Special Relativity 76 Time Dilation and Length Contraction 77 Simultaneity, Twin Paradox, Momentum, and Speed Limit 78 Energy and Mass Equivalence 79 Crime Task: Who Dropped The Bomb? 80 What is Quantum Theory? 81 Lab Simulation: The Photoelectric Effect 82 Quantum Theory of Light 83 Classical Particles as Waves 84 Standard Model of Elementary Particles 85 Review 86 Unit 5 Test MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS Assignment Unit 1: Kinematics Test Unit 1: Dynamics Test Unit 1: Road Rage Crime Scene Unit 2: Car Crash WebQuest Unit 2: Unit Test Unit 3: Unit Test Unit 3: Crime Scene Investigation Unit 4: Young s Double Slit Description Students will complete a few physics problems, related to topics taught in class. The unit was broken up into two tests since it is a large unit. Students will be given a crime scene situation and will need to use knowledge gained in this unit to come to a conclusion. A formal report will be graded. With aid of the links provided on the site students will take on roles to investigate a car crash using the energy and momentum skills they developed throughout the unit. A PowerPoint, poster, or digital narrative can be used to present their findings. Students will complete a test involving questions on the major concepts learned in the unit. The test will include multiple choice, true and false, and long answer questions. Students will complete a test involving questions on the major concepts learned in the unit. The test will include multiple choice, short answer and long answer questions. In groups students will investigate a crime and solve it using concepts learned during the unit and previous units. Students will be recreating the Young s Double Experiment using Neon
Experiment Unit 4: Chapter Test1 - Waves and Light Helium Lasers and various slit plate. Students will use the controlled variables to estimate the wavelength of light from the laser. Students will then complete a formal lab discussing their observations and results from their lab. Students will complete a test involving short and long answer questions based on the major concepts taught through each Chapter. Chapter Test 2 - Applications of the Wave Nature of Light Unit 5: Who Dropped The Bomb? Crime Scene Unit 5: Modern Physics Presentation Unit 5: Modern Physics Test Students will be given a crime scene situation pertaining to Einstein s energy and mass equivalence, and will need to use knowledge gained in this unit to come to a conclusion. A formal report will be graded. In small groups, students will prepare a 5-10 minute presentation on an experiment, technology, or practical application that ties into the topics covered in class. Students will be evaluated on their understanding of their topic, and their communication of this knowledge. Students will complete several modern physics problems, and communicate the implications of several relativistic and quantum based concepts. POLICIES Contact information for parents: You may reach me at the school number, 999-999-999 ext. 999 or using the email blah@sb.ca. *Email is usually the quickest mode of communication. Extra Help: I am available for extra help one hour before school and one hour after school. Should my hours change I will make an announcement in class at least one day before. Students are welcome to make arrangements for tutoring at other times, such as lunch, if need be. EXPECTATIONS This is a Grade 12 University Preparation course so expectations are high as to prepare students for university. Students are expected to arrive on time with necessary materials, submit assignments by the due date as well as complete homework and readings in a timely manner. If students struggle with a concept, they are encouraged to take the initiative to get extra help before or after school. Late and Incomplete Assignments: Late assignments will receive a 5% deduction for every school day beyond the due date until the assignment is handed in, to a maximum of a 50 % reduction (two weeks late), unless otherwise negotiated with myself. Student s are expected to time manage effectively, and take responsibility for their due date organization. Incomplete or missed assignment/quizzes will receive a mark of zero unless an acceptable excuse is provided before - or immediately following in the case of absences - the expected submission date. Safety: Students must follow safety procedures as directed to assist in keeping the classroom safe during labs and activities. If students do not follow safety procedures after a reminder, they will not be allowed to complete the activity for the well-being of themselves and other students. Alternate arrangements will be made at the discretion of the teacher. Academic Honesty: Students are required to properly cite and reference all work that is not theirs. When completing individual assignments to be graded, copying is prohibited and detrimental to the learning objectives of the course. Students caught plagiarizing will dealt with seriously in accordance to school policy.