Horizontal and oblique projectile motion
Which launch angle goes furthest? On Earth it is 45°, and on the Moon the same ball flies six times as far.
Physics – grade 11
In the nine-year Gymnasium, grade 11 is a separate stage before the course phase.
Unit 3.3.1Mechanics
Describing motion with position, velocity and acceleration, explaining it with Newton’s laws and momentum, and calculating it with conservation of energy and momentum.
3.3.1.1Kinematics
Describing uniform and uniformly accelerated motion with equations and s–t, v–t and a–t graphs; investigating combined motion such as horizontal projection and uniform circular motion.
Circular motion and centripetal force
A ball swings round on a string, a car drives through a bend. Which force keeps them on a circular path?
Uniform and accelerated motion (distance–time and velocity–time graphs)
A car drives at a steady speed or speeds up. The graphs for distance, speed and acceleration are drawn live.
Free fall
A ball falls on Earth, the Moon or Mars and gets faster every second. In a vacuum even a feather keeps up.
3.3.1.2Dynamics
Combining forces in any direction (e.g. inclined plane), applying Newton’s laws with F = m·a and momentum, explaining fall with air resistance, horizontal projection and centripetal force.
Circular motion and centripetal force
A ball swings round on a string, a car drives through a bend. Which force keeps them on a circular path?
Horizontal and oblique projectile motion
Which launch angle goes furthest? On Earth it is 45°, and on the Moon the same ball flies six times as far.
Adding and resolving forces
Two forces pull on one point. Use the parallelogram of forces to find the total force or to split a force into two.
Inclined plane
A block sits on a slope. At what angle does it start to slide? The weight is split into two parts to find out.
Free fall
A ball falls on Earth, the Moon or Mars and gets faster every second. In a vacuum even a feather keeps up.
Planetary orbits and Kepler’s laws
Too fast and the planet flies off, never to return. A little slower and it traces an ellipse around the Sun, exactly as Kepler's laws say.
3.3.1.3Conservation laws
Calculating kinetic, potential and elastic energy, setting up energy balances with conservation of energy, and calculating collisions and recoil with conservation of momentum.
Elastic and inelastic collisions
Two gliders collide on an air track. Before and after are compared to see what stays the same.
Conservation of energy (roller coaster)
A car rides a roller coaster: energy bars show how potential and kinetic energy turn into each other.
The summaries describe the curriculum in our own words. The original text is authoritative. Original text (German): Bildungsplan, Gymnasium, Physics, grade 11