Physics 20/30

A Brief-Overview of the General Course Outcomes within the Alberta Physics Progam of Study:

What are the learning objectives for these classes? 

Physics 20:

UNIT A Kinematics

1. describe motion in terms of displacement, velocity, acceleration and time. 

UNIT B Dynamics

1. explain the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on velocity 

2. explain that gravitational effects extend throughout the universe. 

UNIT C Circular Motion, Work & Energy  

1. explain circular motion, using Newton’s laws of motion 

2. explain that work is a transfer of energy and that conservation of energy in an isolated system & is a fundamental physical concept. 

UNIT D  Oscillatory Motion & Mechanical Waves

1. describe the conditions that produce oscillatory motion 

2. describe the properties of mechanical waves and explain how mechanical waves transmit energy. 

Physics 30:

UNIT A Momentum and Impulse

1. explain how momentum is conserved when objects interact in an isolated system.  

UNIT B Forces and Fields

1. explain the behavior of electric charges, using the laws that govern electrical interactions 

2. describe electrical phenomena, using the electric field theory 

3. explain how the properties of electric and magnetic fields are applied in numerous devices. 

UNIT C Electromagnetic Radiation  

1. explain the nature and behavior of Light (EMR), using the wave model 

2. explain the photoelectric effect & particle nature of EMR, using the quantum model. 

UNIT D  Atomic Physics  

1. describe the electrical nature of the atom 

30–D1.1k describe matter as containing discrete positive and negative charges 

30–D1.2k explain how the discovery of cathode rays contributed to the development of atomic models 

30–D1.3k explain J. J. Thomson’s experiment and the significance of the results for both science and technology 

30–D1.4k explain, qualitatively, the significance of the results of Rutherford’s scattering experiment, in terms of scientists’ understanding of the relative size and mass of the nucleus and the atom. 

2. describe the quantization of energy in atoms and nuclei 

3. describe nuclear fission and fusion as powerful energy sources in nature 

4. describe the ongoing development of models of the structure of matter.