This course enables students to deepen their understanding of physics concepts and
theories. Students will continue their exploration of energy transformations and the forces
that affect motion, and will investigate electrical, gravitational, and magnetic fields and
electromagnetic radiation. Students will also explore the wave nature of light, quantum
mechanics, and special relativity. They will further develop their scientific investigation
skills, learning, for example, how to analyse, qualitatively and quantitatively, data related
to a variety of physics concepts and principles. Students will also consider the impact of
technological applications of physics on society and the environment.
Prerequisite: Physics, Grade 11 (University Preparation)
This unit will help students understand objects’ motions in horizontal, vertical, and inclined planes. Students will learn to predict and explain the motions by analyzing the forces acting on the objects and investigate motion in a plane using experiments and simulations. Students will also learn to analyze and solve problems involving forces acting on an object in linear, projectile, or circular motion using vectors, graphs, and free-body diagrams. They will examine how the study of forces relates to the development and use of technological devices. Â
In this unit, students will learn to apply the concepts of work, energy, and momentum for objects moving in two dimensions and explain them in qualitative and quantitative terms. Students will investigate the laws of conservation of momentum and energy (including elastic and inelastic collisions) through experiments or stimulations. Further, they will analyze and solve problems involving these laws with vectors, graphs, and free-body diagrams. By the end of the unit, students will be able to analyze and describe the applications of the concepts of energy and momentum to the design and development of a wide range of collision and impact-absorbing devices used in everyday life.
In this unit, students will understand the concepts, principles, and laws related to electric, gravitational, and magnetic forces and fields, and explain them in qualitative and quantitative terms. Students will conduct investigations, analyze, and solve problems related to electric, gravitational, and magnetic fields. By the end of the unit, students will be able to explain the roles of evidence and theories in the development of scientific knowledge related to electric, gravitational, and magnetic fields and evaluate and describe the social and economic impact of technological developments related to the concept of fields.Â
This unit will help students understand the wave model of electromagnetic radiation and describe how it explains diffraction patterns, interference, and polarization. Students will work on simulations relating the wave model of light and technical applications of electromagnetic radiation to the phenomenon of refraction, diffraction, interference, and polarization. They will analyze phenomena involving light and color, explain them in terms of the wave model of light, and explain how this model provides a basis for developing technological devices.Â
In this unit, students will learn the basic concepts of Einstein’s special theory of relativity and the development of models of matter, based on classical and early quantum mechanics, that involve an interface between matter and energy. They will interpret data to support scientific models of matter and conduct thought experiments to explore abstract scientific ideas and describe how new conceptual models and theories can influence and change scientific thought and lead to the development of new technologies.Â
