SPH3U – Grade 11 Physics, University Preparation
Course Website: rosedalephysics.wikispaces.com
(click on Grade 11 Physics on the sidebar)
Unit outlines, handouts and helpful tutorial weblinks are all provided on the course website.
Studying Physics
Physics is an exciting, broad field of study whose goal is, basically, to understand how the universe
behaves. It is the study of matter, motion, space and time, and has deeply influenced other sciences,
math and philosophy, and has also had a deep impact on history and human civilization.
SPH3U is an introduction to the world of physics and a prerequisite for the grade 12 course SPH4U.
This course makes use of hands-on, inquiry-based activities in collaborative groups, which
Physics Education Research (PER) has shown to promote learning over traditional lectures. Major
Canadian and American universities have been transforming their introductory physics courses in
similar ways in recent years.
Students will spend much of their class time doing activities and discussing physics concepts and
ideas, so active participation is critical to your learning experience and to that of your group members.
You will often be required to do textbook readings before coming to class, where the concepts will be
clarified and then you will engage in activities and discussion.
In studying physics, try to develop a growth mindset – emphasize learning rather than achievement,
challenge yourself and take risks to develop your intelligence, adjust strategies if something isn’t
working, and don’t give up!
“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” (Albert Einstein)
Course Outline
Units/Strands
Waves and Sound
Kinematics
Forces
Energy and Society
Electricity and Magnetism
Final Summative Evaluation
Topics
Properties of waves, interactions between waves, the physics of
sound and music.
Description of motion using multiple representations, including
equations and graphs, and quantities such as distance,
displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration. The study of motion
of falling objects.
The study of interactions between objects. Describing the
relationships between forces and motion using Newton’s Laws.
Different types of forces – friction, gravitational, normal.
The relationship between work and energy. Forms of energy such as
kinetic, gravitational potential, and thermal. Energy transformations,
efficiency and power.
Properties, principles, and laws related to electricity, magnetic fields,
and the relationship between electricity and magnetism
The final evaluation will cover the entire year and consist of a
culminating assignment (7.5%) in May and exam (22.5%) in June.
Assessment and Evaluation
Your mark will consist of unit tests, regular quizzes, the work you do in groups and a design project.
There is a culminating assignment and a final exam that covers the course’s entire material. It is the
science department’s policy that work and assessments submitted after marked work has been
returned may be assigned a mark of zero.
Report
Card
Term
Work
November
February
April
June
100%
100%
90%
60%
Design
Project
10%
10%
Summative
30%
Total
100%
100%
100%
100%
Evaluation Categories
Knowledge and
Understanding
Thinking
Communication
Making Connections
(Application)
Tests
Group work, Quizzes
Tests, Quizzes
Design Project,
Culminating
Assignment
Attendance and Punctuality
Much of the work in this course takes place in groups, so being absent or late handicaps yourself and
your group. Students are responsible for making sure they are caught up before the following class –
exchange contact information with your group members and consult them first. If you are unable to
get help from a classmate, please see me as soon as possible.
Test and Quizzes
You will be given advance notice for quizzes and tests. If
you know in advance that you will miss a scheduled test,
please see me ahead of time to make other arrangements.
If you miss one for unexpected reasons, please see me
when you return to school, and be prepared to write the
test within a day of your return, at the teacher’s discretion.
To maintain fairness in assessments, do not discuss the
test with your colleagues.
Textbook: Physics: Concepts and Connections, Irwin, 2001. (Replacement cost is $85.00)