Grade 11 & 12 Physics Course Content
Ontario Curriculum (SPH3U & SPH4U)
I teach the full Ontario university-preparation physics sequence: SPH3U (Grade 11) and SPH4U (Grade 12), the two courses that keep the door open to engineering, physics, and computer science programs at Ontario universities. Each topic is taught with real problem-solving practice, not just formulas.
Grade 11: SPH3U (Physics, University Preparation)
Kinematics
- Motion graphs: position-time, velocity-time, acceleration-time
- Uniformly accelerated motion and the kinematics equations
- Relative motion in one dimension
Forces (Dynamics)
- Newton's Three Laws of Motion and free-body diagrams
- Friction: static and kinetic
- Applying Newton's Laws to real systems (inclines, elevators)
Energy and Society
- Work, kinetic energy, and potential energy
- Conservation of mechanical energy
- Heat transfer, specific heat, and the laws of thermodynamics
Waves and Sound
- Properties of transverse and longitudinal waves
- Sound, the Doppler effect, and resonance
- Standing waves in strings and air columns
Electricity and Magnetism
- Static electricity, Coulomb's Law, and electric force
- Series and parallel circuits, Ohm's Law
- Basic magnetism and electromagnets
Grade 12: SPH4U (Physics, University Preparation)
Dynamics
- Relative motion and vectors in two dimensions
- Projectile motion
- Newton's Laws in two dimensions (inclines, pulleys, connected objects)
- Uniform circular motion and centripetal force
- Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation and orbital motion
Energy and Momentum
- Momentum and impulse
- Conservation of momentum: elastic and inelastic collisions
- Extended work-energy theorem, including springs
Electric, Gravitational, and Magnetic Fields
- Electric fields and field lines
- Gravitational fields and field strength
- Magnetic fields, the motor effect, and electromagnetic induction
The Wave Nature of Light
- Reflection and refraction, Snell's Law
- Interference and diffraction
- Polarization of light
Modern Physics
- The photoelectric effect and wave-particle duality
- Atomic models and energy levels
- Radioactive decay, half-life, and mass-energy equivalence
- Introduction to special relativity
Curious how these topics show up outside the classroom? Explore Interactive Physics or see Why Physics? for a few surprising real-world hooks.