• 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 analyZe the interrelationships between physics and technology, and consider the impact of technological applications of physics on society and the environment.

     

    OVERALL EXPECTATIONS 

    The Ontario Curriculum Grades 11 and 12 Science identifies overall expectations, which describe in general terms the knowledge and skills that students are expected to demonstrate by the end of this course.  This course is broken down into six different units

     

    Unit A:    Scientific Investigation Skills and Career Exploration

    Unit B:    Kinematics

    Unit C:    Forces

    Unit D:    Energy and Society

    Unit E:    Waves and Sound

    Unit F:    Electricity and Magnetism

     

    For the above units, it is expected that students will:

     

    Unit A:   Scientific Investigation Skills and Career Exploration

    • 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 a variety of careers related to the fields of science under study, and identify scientists, including Canadians, who have made contributions to those fields.

     

    Unit B:   Kinematics 

    • 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.

     

    Unit C:   Forces 

    • Forces can change the motion of an object.

     

    • Applications of Newton’s laws of motion have led to technological developments thataffect society and the environment.

     

    Unit D:   Energy and Society

     

    • Energy can be transformed from one type to another. 
    • Energy transformation systems often involve thermal energy losses and are never100% 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.

     

    Unit E:   Waves and Sound 

    • 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.

     

    Unit F:   Electricity and Magnetism 

    • Relationships between electricity and magnetism are predictable. 
    • Electricity and magnetism have many technological applications. 
    • Technological applications that involve electromagnetism and energy transformations can affect society and the environment in positive and negative ways.