Course Outline –SPH 4U
Teacher: Mr. G. ChengDepartment: Science
Credit Value: 1Prerequisite(s):SPH3U
Course Description
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.
Core Text: Nelson Physics 12, Hirsch et. al. (2012)
Overall Curriculum Expectations and Summative Tasks
By the end of this course, students will:
Strand A: Scientific Investigation Skills and Career Exploration
A1. 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);
A2. identify and describe careers related to the fields of science under study, and describe the contributions of scientists, including Canadians, to those fields.
Strand B: Dynamics
B1. analyse technological devices that apply the principles of the dynamics of motion, and assess the technologies’ social and environmental impact;
B2. investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, forces involved in uniform circular motion and motion in a plane, and solve related problems;
B3. demonstrate an understanding of the forces involved in uniform circular motion and motion in a plane.
Strand C:Energy and Momentum
C1. 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;
C2. 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;
C3. demonstrate an understanding of work, energy, momentum, and the laws of conservation of energy and conservation of momentum, in one and two dimensions.
Strand D: Gravitational, Electric and Magnetic Fields
D1. analyse the operation of technologies that use gravitational, electric, or magnetic fields, and assess the technologies’ social and environmental impact;
D2. investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields, and solve related problems;
D3. demonstrate an understanding of the concepts, properties, principles, and laws related to gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields and their interactions with matter.
Strand E: The Wave Nature of Light
E1. analyse technologies that use the wave nature of light, and assess their impact on society and the environment;
E2. investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, the properties of waves and light, and solve related problems;
E3. demonstrate an understanding of the properties of waves and light in relation to diffraction, refraction, interference, and polarization.
Strand F: Revolutions in Modern Physics: Quantum Mechanics and Special Relativity
F1. 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;
F2. investigate special relativity and quantum mechanics, and solve related problems;
F3. demonstrate an understanding of the evidence that supports the basic concepts of quantum mechanics and Einstein’s theory of special relativity.
Your Report Card Grade will be determined as follows:
Term work:70% of your grade will be based on all of the evidence you have provided. It will reflect your most consistent level of achievement with special consideration given to more recent evidence. / 15% Knowledge & Understanding: subject-specific content acquired (knowledge), and the comprehension of its meaning and significance (understanding).
20% Application: the use of knowledge and skills to make connections within and between various contexts.
20% Thinking: the use of critical and creative thinking skills and/or processes.
15% Communication: the conveying of meaning through various forms (oral, visual, and/or written).
Final Evaluation:
30% of your grade will be determined at the end of the course. / 15% Performance Task
- consisting of an investigation or an open-ended problematic situation; completed during final four weeks of the course; individual student effort; evaluated by teacher.
15% Exam(a 1.5 hour exam within a 2 hour time slot)
- consisting of a variety of question types (e.g., short answer, multiple choice, extended response, problem solving, etc.); completed during exam time period; individual student effort; evaluated by teacher
Your final grade will be calculated by combining your Term (70%) grade and your Exam and Performance Task Evaluations (30%).
Academic Standards
It is your responsibility to provide evidence of your learning within established timelines. Due dates for assignments and the scheduling of tests will be communicated well in advance to allow you to schedule your time. If you aren’t going to be able to follow an agreed upon timeline you should demonstrate your responsibility and organizational skills by discussing with your teacher the challenges you’re facing as far in advance of the deadline as possible.
It is your responsibility to be academically honest in all aspects of your schoolwork so that the marks you receive are a true reflection of your achievement.
Plagiarism is using the words, ideas or work of someone else without giving appropriate credit to the original creator. This is a form of cheating.
Consequences for not meeting these academic standards may include:
- Reporting the issue to your parents;
- Requiring you to complete the original or alternative work after school or during your lunch hour;
- Requiring you to complete an alternative assignment;
- Suspension;
- Assigning a “zero” for an assignment not completed prior to an agreed upon closure date;
- Mark deduction of 5% / day.
NOTE: the complete HDSB policies and administrative procedures for “Lates and Missed Assignments” and “Cheating and Plagiarism” policies may be found at
Learning Skills & Work Habits
These learning skills and work habits will be taught, assessed and evaluated throughout the course.
Please Note the Following:
1) LATENESS
- If you arrive late to class, knock on the door and wait outside until I have a chance to talk with you.
2) ABSENCES – Bring in a note or have a parent/guardian phone the school.
Homework and Assignments
- If you are absent, it is your responsibility to see me and find out what you missed as soon as you return.
Tests and Quizzes
- If you are absent for a test or quiz, you must give me a note on the day that you return explaining why you were absent. You will then be allowed to write the test or quiz on the day that you return. Be prepared to write that day!
Field Trips/Appointments/etc.
- If you know that you are going to be away for an appointment, field trip, game, family trip, etc., check with me in advance to find out what you will miss. You are responsible for making up missed work. If a test is planned during the time that you will be absent, you are expected to write the test ahead of time.