4 credits
satisfies Sciences 11/12 graduation requirement
satisfies 1 of 4 required Grade 12 courses
The Physics 12 curriculum expands on concepts learned in Physics 11 in a variety of ways. Students learn about the implications of velocity (among other things) being relative, expand their ability to solve problems in 2 dimensions, and learn to apply the idea of force fields and potentials to explain and predict forces that act at a distance. The Physics 12 curriculum is built around four big ideas:
Measurement of motion depends on our frame of reference.
Forces can cause linear and circular motion.
Forces and energy interactions occur within fields.
Momentum is conserved within a closed and isolated system.
Topics explored include: relative motion, special relativity, static equilibrium, circular motion, gravity, electrostatics, magnetism, electromagnetism, and conservation of momentum. Students interested in post-secondary science education, especially engineering, should consider taking Physics 12.