SPH4U Physics – Grade 12 (University)

SPH4U online is one of over 160 secondary school courses that Blyth Academy Online offers.

Courses Offered

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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PREREQUISITE: Physics, Grade 11, University Preparation

GRADE: 12 (University)

AVAILABILITY: Full-time – All Campuses, Part-time – All campuses, Private – All campuses, Blyth Academy Online

THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM: Science

SPH4U online 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 analyze, qualitatively and quantitatively, data relating to a variety of physics concepts and principles. In SPH4U online, students will also consider the impact of technological applications of physics on society and the environment.

UNIT ONE

Dynamics
Essential Question: How can we analyze both how objects move and what causes their motion?
  • In this unit, students will expand their knowledge of kinematics and forces into the combined field of dynamics. Students will be re-introduced to many terms, variables, and equations learned in Grade 11 Physics. They will apply these previously learned concepts to two-dimensional situations.

UNIT TWO

Circular Motion
Essential Question: To start thinking about relativity, we must first understand reference frames. How can we identify which frame of reference an object is in?
  • In this unit, students will apply their knowledge of dynamics to study objects moving with circular motion. Students will deepen their understanding of frames of reference and be able to study motion both from inertial and non-inertial frames of reference.

UNIT THREE

Energy and Momentum
Essential Question: What are the different safety considerations in cars to minimize the damages from collisions?
  • In this unit, students will study the Physics behind collisions. To do so, they will first recall what it means, in Physics, to do work. Students will review the types of mechanical energy studied in Grade 11 and they will learn more about thermal and elastic potential energy. Using Laws of Conservation of Energy and Momentum, students will analyze different types of collisions, qualitatively and quantitatively.

UNIT FOUR

Fields
Essential Question: Space may seem empty, but what suddenly makes an apple fall from the tree?
  • In this unit, students will explore gravitational, electric, and magnetic forces and fields. Students will analyze the behaviour of particles in these fields and will look at similarities and differences among the fields. Through calculations and simulations, students will gain an understanding of forces and fields that they can apply to a real-world technology.

UNIT FIVE

The Wave Nature of Light
Essential Question: In optics light is thought of as travelling as a single ray, but what if we make light go through a double slit?
  • In this unit, students will investigate wave properties and relate them to the behaviour of light. Students will first analyze water waves, and then transfer that understanding to light waves. Students will use diagrams and simulations to gain a firm understanding of the wave nature of light, and they will also analyze the patterns and behaviours mathematically.

UNIT SIX

Revolutions in Modern Physics
Essential Question: What is the nature of reality?
  • In this unit, students will be introduced to interesting phenomenon related to modern physics. Students will explore Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity as well as the quantum theory of electromagnetic radiation. Their exploration will take them through thought experiments, experimental observations, simulations, and simple calculations. This unit is an excellent overview of how science works, expanding and developing a theory with the support of ingenious ideas and experimental evidence. As students progress through the unit, they are encouraged to keep thinking about the overall development of modern theory. As they search to explain existing phenomenon, theories change and grow based on internal consistency and experimental findings. Students should finish the unit with a clear understanding of the development of modern physics and scientific theory in general.

FINAL EXAM

Proctored Exam
30% of Final Grade
  • This exam is the final evaluation of SPH4U online. Students need to arrange their final exam 10 days in advance. All coursework should be completed and submitted before writing the final exam, please be advised that once the exam is written, any outstanding coursework will be given a grade of zero. The exam will be two hours.
  • Please consult our Frequently Asked Questions Page or the Exam section within your course for details on exam proctoring options.  
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Though our physical doors remain temporarily closed, the minds of our students stay open. Summer classes are continuing to meet on their regular daily schedules, in virtual classrooms with face-to-face instruction and peer interaction.  The Blyth Academy model of small class sizes, flexible scheduling and individualized approach have enabled us to remain faithful to our standards. Our commitment to ongoing and meaningful communication between school, teachers, students and families has been critical to this effort.

Although our students have transitioned into summer mode and COVID-19 restrictions have begun to loosen, we are looking ahead to what September will hold for our campuses and families.
We want to be clear - our preference and our priority is to get students back to our campuses, but we must ensure this is done in a safe and effective way. While we await official guidance from Public Health and the Ministry of Education, a "return to school" task force has been hard at work putting concrete operational plans in place for all likely scenarios. This includes a full return to campus with safeguards, a blended model of virtual and in-campus learning and the continuation of fully virtual classrooms. All scenarios will provide robust learning and live, daily instruction and interaction with teachers and peers. 
With ten campuses across Ontario, we realize that each one of our schools is a unique space and community. We will be implementing across-the-board policies on hand washing, facility cleaning and social distancing measures. Each school is also prepared to pivot individually based on the guidance of local health authorities and to best serve students and families. 
Our recent survey showed that over 80 per cent of Blyth Academy families are eager to return to campuses, and we are hard at work to prepare for this day. As September's scenario becomes clearer and more information becomes available, we will continue to communicate. 

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