The Applications of Physics 11 and 12 curriculum is designed to engage a wider range of students in studying the subject at the grade 11 and 12 level. Linking the concepts of physics with their connections to technology has a profound effect on the way we think about our universe, our society, our interaction with the environment and ourselves. By placing physics in the context of relevant technology and its role in society, Applications of Physics serves to bridge theory and the real world. Students use a hands-on experiential approach to explore problems and issues of physics as they relate to their everyday lives and applications in industry. The new courses also provide an excellent background and preparation for students interested in further academic studies, and career training in the sciences, technologies and the trades.

Applications of Physics 11 and 12 meet the Science requirement for graduation. In addition, Applications of Physics 12 is a provincially examinable subject and students completing this course are eligible for a provincial scholarship. These courses are articulated for admission into a growing list of BC post-secondary institutions.

Instructional Approach

Hands-on: The Applications of Physics courses were developed, in particular, for those students who learn and are motivated more through "hands-on" real world types of activities. At times the learning arises from "chalk and talk" lessons but students generally work in groups doing experiments, trying to establish a method of solving a particular problem, demonstrating how a particular technology works, gathering data from an activity completed outside the classroom or presenting their group's findings to the remainder of the class.

Physics as applied in the community: The intent of these courses is to engage local business and industry in the delivery of the curriculum through classroom and/or site visits. Many of the questions raised by students are answered through research in the community, rather than by expecting the teacher to have all of the answers.

A broader view of Physics: The teacher's role will change from being a provider of knowledge to that of a coach, as students explore their own sources of information. These courses will be attractive to those students who have not as yet made a decision to go on to college or university but may do so at a later date. In addition, the framework of these courses is such that many students who have been previously turned off in science courses will be turned on again.

A rigorous treatment of science The students will be exposed to the intellectual integrity and discipline of physics as it is applied in modern technologies. They will be required to use a scientific process to solve real world problems in a "minds-on", "hands-on" way. They will be asked to communicate and to defend their findings in a collaborative learning environment.

Course Content

The Applications of Physics 11 course focuses on the basic concepts and theories of physics and their application in various technologies. Interrelationships between concepts and applications are clearly demonstrated through the use of one or more of four basic technological systems: mechanical, fluid, electrical, and thermal. Applications of Physics 12 extends the approach of linking theory and practice by examining technologies used in the workplace with an emphasis on the use of industrial devices.

The Applications of Physics courses organize the learning outcomes around a set of parallel technological systems to enable students to create analogies concerning the concepts of physics. In Applications of Physics 11, the basic concepts are examined in relation to four basic systems: mechanical, fluid, thermal, electrical. In Applications of Physics 12, the concepts are more complex and are often studied as they act in multiple systems.

Applications of Physics 11: Topics

Force: in Mechanical, Rotational, and Pressure in a Fluid (general and density) systems
Voltage: in an Electrical system
Temperature: in a Thermal system
Rate: in Mechanical (linear and rotational) systems, Fluid, Electrical and Thermal systems;
Work: in Mechanical and Fluid systems
Energy in Mechanical (rotational), Fluid and Thermal systems
Resistance: in Mechanical, Fluid, Electrical (resistance and circuits) and Thermal systems

Applications of Physics 12: Topics:

Transformers: in Mechanical, Fluid, and Electrical systems
Momentum: in Linear Mechanical, Angular Mechanical and Fluid systems
Energy Conversion
Transducers: in Mechanical, Fluid, Electrical and Thermal systems
Waves and Vibrations: in Mechanical and Electromagnetic systems
Electronics and Electromagnetism: Circuits, Motors, and Capacitance.