PHYSICS CURRICULUM

Introduction
Apart from developing a knowledge base in physics in preparation for eventually qualifying for the entry
to the course of preparation for the CSEC examination in Grades 10 and 11, this course is designed to
develop students interest in the subject, as well as an understanding of its relevance to the everyday life.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES
On completion of the course, students should be able to
a) Recall some basic laws, principles, data and experiments.
b) Understand the concepts associated with the said laws and principles.
c) Apply the laws and principles to simple everyday phenomenon (e.g. machines, electricity, and
temperature)
d) Use the data to solve problems related to the laws and principles.
e) Demonstrate acquired experimental skills including the ability to
(i) Manipulate simple apparatus, given the necessary instructions
(ii) Observe, record and report, in a logical and systematic format, in relation to
investigations performed or demonstrated
(iii) Analyze simple data and draw inferences from such analysis, bearing in mind
limitations, as well as steps need to be taken to improve the quality of these experiments.
(iv) Plan and design ways for investigating simple everyday observation related to the
principles of physics. It is the intention that, at the end of the course, students will be
better able to make more informed choices toward their future development in the higher
Grades and their careers.

Topic/Content
(1) Fundamental Quantities and Units

Physics
Objectives
Students should be able to:
1) Understand the Fundamental and derived
quantities and their S.I. units
2)Use prefix and scientific notation in recording
units 3)Calculate conversion of units to S.I. units
4)Name units for some derived quantities
5)Define and describe linear and non linear
scales;
6)Define and describe analogue and digital scales

Students should be able to:

1. Associate the moment of force with its ability
to turn an object about a point or axis.
2. Define moment of force about a point or axis as
the product of force and perpendicular distance
from the point or axis to the line of action of
MECHANICS / HYDROSTATICS

force.

(2)MOMENTS

3. Do a simple calculation to determine the

moment of force.
4. Recall and understand the terms, fulcrum,
balance point, clockwise moments, anti-clockwise
moments, equilibrium.
5. State the two conditions for equilibrium about a
point, namely that
(i) The sum of clockwise moments must balance
(must be equal to) the sum of the anti-clockwise
moments about that point.
(ii) The sum of forces in any given direction must
be equal to the sum of forces in the opposite
direction.
6. Apply the condition for equilibrium to the cause
of a simple leaver, appreciating that there is force
acting at the fulcrum or balance point.
7. Define the three classes of leavers and give at
least two examples of each class.
8. Determine the unknown value of a mass, using
the principle of moments and construction.
9. Understand the concept of center of gravity.
10. Understand the concepts stable, und\stable,