Course Syllabus

Physics 12

Faculty

David Martin & Nathan Moens

Course Description

Physics 12 at St. George’s follows from Physics 11 in developing an understanding of the world around us. We use a mathematical approach to describe motion in terms of the forces which govern the interactions between objects. The course’s many learning outcomes all contribute to a greater understanding of the interactions between objects, and help us to predict their behaviours.

Instructional Aims.

Based on the B.C. Ministry of Education curriculum, students will learn through labs, discussions, problem-solving, projects, presentations, and other activities. The instructors aim to give the students an understanding of motion, forces and energy which will help them to understand the world around them.

Bid Ideas

Big Ideas are ideas that are central to our understanding in this area of learning. They are the key concepts, principles, and theories that are used to organize knowledge within this subject.

The Big Ideas in this course are:

1. An object’s motion can be predicted, analyzed, and described.
2. Forces can cause linear and circular motion.
3. Forces and energy interactions occur within fields.
4. Momentum is conserved within a closed and isolated system.

Learning Outcomes.

Based on the B.C. Ministry of Education curriculum, students will learn and be evaluated on the following knowledge and skills:

 

1	Momentum
	b	Apply understanding of the relationships between force, impulse, time and momentum in 1 or 2 dimensions
	c	Use conservation of momentum to solve a variety of problems
2	Equilibrium
	a	Use knowledge of forces and Newtons laws to solve transnational equilibrium problems
	b	Use knowledge of torques to solve rotational equilibrium problems
	c	Solve problems involving both rotational and transnational equilibrium
3	Gravitation & Circular Motion
	a	Analyze problems involving objects in uniform circular motion, including problems with forces in 2 dimensions.
	b	Define gravitational potential energy relative to an infinitely distant point
	c	Solve problems involving GPE or gravitational fields and circular motion (such as orbits)
4	Electrostatics
	a	Analyze Basic Circuits
	b	Use Coulomb's law to analyze electric forces
	c	Analyze electric fields around point charges or between plates, and their effects on charged objects
	d	Analyze electrical potential energy and voltage
	e	Apply the concepts of electrostatics to a variety of situations
5	Electromagnetism
	a	Use vector analysis to determine the behaviours of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields (RHR)
	b	Solve problems that involve particles moving through E/M fields
	c	Analyze the processes of electromagnetic induction. This includes several applications:
	1.0	Magnetic Flux
	2.0	Faraday's Law
	3.0	Lenz' Law
	4.0	Back EMF, armature resistance etc...
	5.0	Transformers
6	Special Relativity
	a	Discuss the postulates of Special Relativity
	b	Discuss relativistic effects while in a moving reference frame

 We will also focus on the following skills throughout the course:

Conduct appropriate experiments

Use graphical and numerical methods to analyze results

Create and use Free Body Diagrams

Apply formulas appropriately

Apply principles of vector analysis

Assessment and Evaluation

The content in this course is cumulative, and within any unit multiple learning outcomes will be tested at the same time, often within the same question.  As such, marks will be accumulated within a unit with the following weights:

Momentum	15%
Equilibrium	10%
Gravitation & Circular Motion	20%
Electrostatics	20%
Electromagnetism	25%
Special Relativity	10%

 

 

It should be noted that skills from any completed unit will continue to be used and tested in following units, and as such there will be some overlap of content between units.

 

First Peoples Principles

We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are honoured to live, work, and play on this land together.

 

As part of contribution to reconciliation, Physics 12 makes First Peoples Principles visible in class by understanding that learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational (focused on connectedness, on reciprocal relationships, and a sense of place). Learning involves recognizing the consequences of one’s actions. Learning requires exploration of one’s identity.

 

Literacy

In Physics 12, students will work with the scientific inquiry method, which will require them to make observations, ask questions, analyze data, and communicate their findings. Students will also be required to comprehend information presented orally, textually, and visually to gain an understanding of the key content and concepts of physics. Finally, students will be asked to give oral presentations, visually represent data and ideas, and share written versions of their ideas and conclusions.

 

Resources

• Textbooks: Giancoli Physics: Principles with Applications
• This course syllabus, all major assessments for the current unit, and a plethora of helpful learning resources can be found on Canvas.

Course Expectations

• Students can expect to do an average of 20-30 minutes of work outside of class for each block they attend. This will vary throughout the year, and there will be points when more or less will be expected of them.
• All assignments, quizzes and tests will be posted online. While not all material will be submitted online, the assignment page will make it clear how assignments are to be submitted.
• Students will be expected to review material and keep up with the course content regardless of whether homework is being collected as an assessment.

Contacting Me

• Martin - 215A, dmartin@stgeorges.bc.ca