SPH3U0

Physics, Grade 11, University Preparation (SPH3U0)

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Prerequisite course: SNC2D, Grade 10 Academic Science

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

Course Description and Goals:

Ø Physics is problem solving course that explores various physical laws and principles in both hands-on and
theoretical ways.
Ø Students will be able to analyze problems, extract information and apply relevant laws and/or formulae
to find solutions to qualitative and quantitative problems.
Ø Students will be able to communicate their understanding effectively by using proper formats & SI units.
Ø Students will be able to recognize the relationship between physics and technology, and how these in
turn, affect the environment and society.

Text: Physics 11, Nelson, 2011 (Replacement cost $110)

Big Ideas: By the end of the course, students will gain an appreciation for these important understandings -
Unit Big Ideas
1. Kinematics Ø analyse technologies that apply concepts related to kinematics, and assess the
technologies' social and environmental impact;
Ø investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, uniform and non-uniform linear motion,
and solve related problems;
Ø demonstrate an understanding of uniform and non-uniform linear motion, in one and two
dimensions.
2. Forces Ø analyse and propose improvements to technologies that apply concepts related to
dynamics and Newton's laws, and assess the technologies' social and environmental
impact;
Ø investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, net force, acceleration, and mass, and
solve related problems;
Ø demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between changes in velocity and
unbalanced forces in one dimension.
3. Energy and Ø analyse technologies that apply principles of and concepts related to energy
Society transformations, and assess the technologies' social and environmental impact;
Ø investigate energy transformations and the law of conservation of energy, and solve related
problems;
Ø demonstrate an understanding of work, efficiency, power, gravitational potential energy,
kinetic energy, nuclear energy, and thermal energy and its transfer (heat).
4. Waves and Ø analyse how mechanical waves and sound affect technology, structures, society, and the
Sound environment, and assess ways of reducing their negative effects;
Ø investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, the properties of mechanical waves and
sound, and solve related problems;
Ø demonstrate an understanding of the properties of mechanical waves and sound and of
the principles underlying their production, transmission, interaction, and reception.
5. Energy and Ø analyse the social, economic, and environmental impact of electrical energy production
Magnetism and technologies related to electromagnetism, and propose ways to improve the
sustainability of electrical energy production;
Ø investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, magnetic fields and electric circuits, and
solve related problems;
SPH3U0

Ø demonstrate an understanding of the properties of magnetic fields, the principles of current

and electron flow, and the operation of selected technologies that use these properties and
principles to produce and transmit electrical energy.

Evaluation:

Percentage of Final Mark Evidence

70% Tests
Assignments/Labs
30% Summative Tasks

Evidence of student achievement for evaluations is collected over time from three different sources –
observations, conversations and student products. Not every assessment will count towards a
student’s final grade. The primary purpose of assessment and evaluation is to improve student
learning.

Term Work and Summative

Work are assessed approximately equally across four categories:
• Knowledge/Understanding: Specific content, and the comprehension of its meaning
• Thinking: Use of critical thinking skills and/or processes (i.e. reasoning, evaluating, etc)
• Communication: Conveying meaning through various forms (i.e. written and graphically)
• Application: Use of knowledge and skills to make connection between contexts

Learning skills will be assessed throughout the course in the following areas:
• Independent work habits • Work habits/Homework Rating Scale
• Organization • Initiative E – excellent
• Teamwork • Self-Regulation G – good
S – satisfactory
N – needs improvement
Policies and Procedures:
Plagiarism – see student handbook
Late work – see student handbook
Missed lessons/Work – student is responsible to find out and make up any missed work

**Missed Tests – student must make arrangements with teacher prior to a scheduled absence or else an explanatory
note is required in order to write the test.

Homework – Assigned daily with the understanding that it is to be completed to the best of the
student’s ability; and that it is the student’s responsibility to follow-up on difficulties.

Extra help – Students may make arrangements with the teacher for extra help

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Operation of personal and Peel board devices in the classroom will
conform to Peel policy (#78 Digital Citizenship)

• Teachers determine when students are able to access Board technology or their personally
owned devices, for educational purposes only
• Photos, videos or images cannot be taken using any device unless authorized; media cannot
be shared digitally without consent (written parental consent, if under 18)