SPH 4U – Physics, Grade 12, University Preparation
Course Outline
Instructor:
Mr. P. Kim
Room:
161
Textbook:
NELSON Physics 12. (Hirsch, Alan et al.; Thomson – Nelson, 2003)
Course Topics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Approx.
#Periods
Dynamics (forces & motion)
Momentum and Energy
Electric, Gravitational and Magnetic Fields
Wave Nature of Light
Modern Physics
Independent Project(s) (done throughout term)
27
20
18
15
Indep. / MSIP
6
Evaluation
Each term is evaluated using
Formative/Diagnostic
Approach to Studies, Participation
Homework Readings
Assignments, Worksheets, Quizzes
Term Work (see above)
Culminating Activity & Final Exam
Summative
Project(s), Lab Reports
Lab Design and Work
Major and Mini Tests
Term Cumulative Tests
70%
30%
General Notes
Participate! Ask questions as well as answer ones posed by the teacher or your classmates.
Share an opinion and join discussions. In order to do these, you must be here.
Be prepared each day. Realize now that what you do each class will ultimately affect your
final mark in this course! Don't fall behind. Get help at the first sign of difficulty. Don't
wait until test time - it's too late then!
Overall Course Expectations (see reverse)
Provided by the MoE, overall expectations, and specific expectations, are available at
www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/curricul/secondary/grade1112/science/science.html#sph4u
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Scientific Investigation & 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 careers related to the fields of science under study, and describe the
contributions of scientists, including Canadians, to those fields.
Forces and Motion
 analyse technological devices that apply the principles of the dynamics of motion, and assess
the technologies’ social and environmental impact;
 investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, forces involved in uniform circular motion and
motion in a plane, and solve related problems;
 demonstrate an understanding of the forces involved in uniform circular and planar motion
Momentum & Energy
 analyse, and propose ways to improve, technologies or procedures that apply principles related
to energy and momentum, and assess the social and environmental impact of these technologies
or procedures;
 investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, through laboratory inquiry or computer
simulation, the relationship between the laws of conservation of energy and conservation of
momentum, and solve related problems;
 demonstrate an understanding of work, energy, momentum, and the laws of conservation of
energy and conservation of momentum, in one and two dimensions.
Electric, Gravitational and Magnetic Fields
 analyse the operation of technologies that use gravitational, electric, or magnetic fields, and
assess the technologies’ social and environmental impact;
 investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields,
and solve related problems;
 demonstrate an understanding of the concepts, properties, principles, and laws related to
gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields and their interactions with matter.
Wave Nature of Light
 analyse technologies that use the wave nature of light, and assess their impact on society and
 the environment;
 investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, the properties of waves and light, and solve
related problems;
 demonstrate an understanding of the properties of waves and light in relation to diffraction,
refraction, interference, and polarization.
Modern Physics
 analyse, with reference to quantum mechanics and relativity, how the introduction of new
conceptual models and theories can influence and/or change scientific thought and lead to the
development of new technologies;
 investigate special relativity and quantum mechanics, and solve related problems;
 demonstrate an understanding of the evidence that supports the basic concepts of quantum
mechanics and Einstein’s theory of special relativity.
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