Physics, Grade 11, University Preparation (SPH3U)

This course develops students’ understanding of the basic concepts of physics. Students will study the laws of dynamics and explore different kinds of forces, the quantification and forms of energy (mechanical, sound, light, thermal, and electrical), and the way energy is transformed and transmitted. They will develop scientific-inquiry skills as they verify accepted laws and solve both assigned problems and those emerging from their investigations. Students will also analyse the interrelationships between physics and technology, and consider the impact of technological applications of physics on society and the environment.

Assessment Breakdown

Knowledge (Tests) 30%
Inquiry (Labs) 20 %
Communication (Assignments & Homework Checks) 10%
Making Connections (Independent Study Projects) 10%
Exam 30%

List of Topics --- In Order of Being Taught

Light and Geometric Optics
Forces and Motion
Energy, Work, and Power
Electricity and Magnetism
Waves and Sound

The following is the Ministry specific expectations or concepts that you are expected to know and be evaluated on.

Light and Geometric Optics

define and describe concepts and units related to light (e.g., reflection, refraction, partial reflection and refraction, index of refraction, total internal reflection, critical angle, focal point, image);
describe the scientific model for light and use it to explain optical effects that occur as natural phenomena (e.g., apparent depth, shimmering, mirage, rainbow);
predict, in qualitative and quantitative terms, the refraction of light as it passes from one medium to another, using Snell’s law;
explain the conditions required for total internal reflection, using light-ray diagrams, and analyse and describe situations in which these conditions occur;
describe and explain, with the aid of light-ray diagrams, the characteristics and positions of the images formed by lenses;
describe the effects of converging and diverging lenses on light, and explain why each type of lens is used in specific optical devices;
analyse, in quantitative terms, the characteristics and positions of images formed by lenses.
describe how images are produced and reproduced for the purposes of entertainment and culture (e.g., in movie theatres, in audio-visual and home entertainment equipment, in optical illusions);
evaluate, using given criteria, the effectiveness of a technological device or procedure related to human perception of light (e.g., eyeglasses, contact lenses, virtual reality “glasses”, infra-red or low light vision sensors, laser surgery);
analyse, describe, and explain optical effects that are produced by technological devices (e.g., periscopes, binoculars, optical fibres, retro-reflectors, cameras, telescopes, microscopes, overhead projectors).

Forces and Motion

define and describe concepts and units related to force and motion (e.g., vectors, scalars, displacement, uniform motion, instantaneous and average velocity, uniform acceleration, instantaneous and average acceleration, applied force, net force, static friction, kinetic friction, coefficients of friction);
describe and explain different kinds of motion, and apply quantitatively the relationships among displacement, velocity, and acceleration in specific contexts;
analyse uniform motion in the horizontal plane in a variety of situations, using vector diagrams;
identify and describe the fundamental forces of nature;
analyse and describe the gravitational force acting on an object near, and at a distance from, the surface of the Earth;
analyse and describe the forces acting on an object, using free-body diagrams, and determine the acceleration of the object; state Newton’s laws, and apply them to explain the motion of objects in a variety of contexts;
analyse in quantitative terms, using Newton’s laws, the relationships among the net force acting on an object, its mass, and its acceleration.
interpret patterns and trends in data by means of graphs drawn by hand or by computer, and infer or calculate linear and non-linear relationships among variables (e.g., analyse and explain the motion of objects, using displacement-time graphs, velocity-time graphs, and acceleration-time graphs);
analyse the motion of objects, using vector diagrams, free-body diagrams, uniform acceleration equations, and Newton’s laws of motion.

Energy Work Power

define and describe the concepts and units related to energy, work, and power (e.g., energy, work, power, gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, thermal energy and its transfer [heat], efficiency);
identify conditions required for work to be done, and apply quantitatively the relationships among work, force, and displacement along the line of the force;
analyse, in qualitative and quantitative terms, simple situations involving work, gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, and thermal energy and its transfer (heat), using the law of conservation of energy; apply quantitatively the relationships among power, energy, and time in a variety of contexts;
analyse, in quantitative terms, the relationships among per-cent efficiency, input energy, and useful output energy for several energy transformations.
analyse and interpret experimental data or computer simulations involving work, gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, thermal energy and its transfer (heat), and the efficiency of the energy transformation (e.g., experimental data on the motion of a swinging pendulum or a falling or sliding mass in terms of the energy transformations that occur);
communicate the procedures, data, and conclusions of investigations involving work, mechanical energy, power, thermal energy and its transfer (heat), and the law of conservation of energy, using appropriate means (e.g., oral and written descriptions, numerical and/or graphical analyses, tables, diagrams).

Electricity and Magnetism

define and describe the concepts and units related to electricity and magnetism (e.g., electric charge, electric current, electric potential, electron flow, magnetic field, electromagnetic induction, energy, power, kilowatt-hour);
describe the two conventions used to denote the direction of movement of electric charge in an electric circuit (i.e., electric current [movement of positive charge] and electron flow [movement of negative charge]), recognizing that electric current is the preferred convention; describe the properties, including the three-dimensional nature, of magnetic fields;
describe and illustrate the magnetic field produced by an electric current in a long straight conductor and in a solenoid;
analyse and predict, by applying the right-hand rule, the direction of the magnetic field produced when electric current flows through a long straight conductor and through a solenoid;
state the motor principle, explain the factors that affect the force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field, and, using the right-hand rule, illustrate the resulting motion of the conductor;
analyse and describe electromagnetic induction in qualitative terms, and apply Lenz’s law to explain, predict, and illustrate the direction of the electric current induced by a changing magnetic field, using the right-hand rule;
compare direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) in qualitative terms, and explain the importance of alternating current in the transmission of electrical energy;
explain, in terms of the interaction of electricity and magnetism, and analyse in quantitative terms, the operation of transformers (e.g., describe the basic parts and the operation of step-up and step-down transformers; solve problems involving energy, power, potential difference, current, and the number of turns in the primary and secondary coils of a transformer).

Waves and Sound

define and describe the concepts and units related to mechanical waves (e.g., longitudinal wave, transverse wave, cycle, period, frequency, amplitude, phase, wavelength, velocity, superposition, constructive and destructive interference, standing waves, resonance);
describe and illustrate the properties of transverse and longitudinal waves in different media, and analyse the velocity of waves travelling in those media in quantitative terms;
compare the speed of sound in different media, and describe the effect of temperature on the speed of sound;
explain and graphically illustrate the principle of superposition, and identify examples of constructive and destructive interference;
analyse the components of resonance and identify the conditions required for resonance to occur in vibrating objects and in various media;
identify the properties of standing waves and, for both mechanical and sound waves, explain the conditions required for standing waves to occur;
explain the Doppler effect, and predict in qualitative terms the frequency change that will occur in a variety of conditions;
analyse, in quantitative terms, the conditions needed for resonance in air columns, and explain how resonance is used in a variety of situations (e.g., analyse resonance conditions in air columns in quantitative terms, identify musical instruments using such air columns, and explain how different notes are produced).
design and conduct an experiment to determine the speed of waves in a medium, compare theoretical and empirical values, and account for discrepancies;
analyse, through experimentation, the conditions required to produce resonance in vibrating objects and/or in air columns (e.g., in string instruments, tuning forks, wind instruments), predict the conditions required to produce resonance in specific cases, and determine whether the predictions are correct through experimentation.