SPH4U – Grade 12 Physics, University Preparation
Course Website: rosedalephysics.wikispaces.com
(click on Grade 12 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.
SPH4U expands on the physics concepts and ideas from the prerequisite grade 11 course SPH3U,
and provides preparation for university or college level physics. 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 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
“The supreme task of the physicist is to arrive at those universal elementary laws from which the cosmos can be
built up by pure deduction.” (Albert Einstein)
Units/Strands
Topics
Introduction – how to think/
Kinematics
Collaborative group learning, physics math skills, problem solving
methods, review of kinematics, two-dimensional/projectile motion
Dynamics
Applications of Newton’s Laws, frames of reference, circular motion,
static and kinetic friction
Momentum and impulse, conservation of energy and momentum,
elastic and inelastic collisions, elastic potential energy
Special Relativity, wave-particle nature of light and matter, quantum
mechanics, the standard model of particle physics, fundamental
forces
Gravitational fields – a little bit of rocket science, properties of
electric and magnetic fields
Polarization, interference
The final evaluation will cover the entire year and consist of a
culminating assignment (7.5%) in May and exam (22.5%) in June.
Energy and Momentum
Revolutions in Modern
Physics
Gravitational, Electric and
Magnetic Fields
The Wave Nature of Light
Final Summative Evaluation
Assessment and Evaluation
Your mark will consist of unit tests, regular quizzes, a design project and the work you do in groups.
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
Design
project
November
February
April
June
100%
90%
90%
60%
10%
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
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 12, Nelson, 2001. (Replacement cost is $90.00)