"What is physics? What kinds of things will I be learning? I hope it's not as difficult as some of my friends say it is! I'm scared. I'm really not very good at math. My parents wanted me to take this course, but I'm not sure why. Do I need to take this course if I want to apply for admission into some university programs?"
The above comments are typical ones that students make early in the Secondary Level Physics program. Their fears and uncertainty are evident in those remarks. An introduction to physics needs to help students understand what physics is, and why it is important. Students also need to know that many things that they already regard as being "common sense" stem from their understanding of natural phenomena related to physics. Finally, students need to be introduced to physics gently, using a "no tears" approach. By studying the physics of everyday things, students begin to appreciate that physics is all around them. It is important, relevant, and fun!
"After I started this course I realized that physics is really interesting! I never thought it could be so much fun! I learned a lot in this course! Physics happens all the time. It is all around us!"
Note that this and other Core Units may be developed independently, or they may be integrated with other Core and Optional Units. Refer to the sequencing considerations given in the Introduction.
In this unit students will increase their abilities to: