PhysicsBerlin curriculum · Gymnasium

Physics – grade 11

Qualification phase, first and second half-year (Q1, Q2; at the Gymnasium with Abitur after grade 12: grade 11). The order of the topic fields is binding for the basic and the advanced course; the advanced course covers additional content. The topic fields are numbered in the curriculum.

Unit 3.2.1Gravitational, electric and magnetic fields (Q1)

The law of gravitation and gravitational fields with field line patterns, Kepler’s laws and satellite orbits, the electric field with capacitor and capacitance, the magnetic field of coils; measurement uncertainty.

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.

Grade 10–13 · UniversityBaden-Württemberg: grade 11Bavaria: grades 11, 13Berlin: grade 11Brandenburg: grade 11Bremen: grade 11/12Hamburg: grades 10, 11/12Hesse: grades 11, 13North Rhine-Westphalia: grade 11Rhineland-Palatinate: grade 11Saarland: grades 10, 12Saxony: grade 10Saxony-Anhalt: grade 10Schleswig-Holstein: grades 11, 12/13

Field lines of point charges

Two charges and the field rearranges itself. A test charge measures where the force is strongest.

Grade 11–12Baden-Württemberg: grade 12/13Bavaria: grade 12Berlin: grade 11Brandenburg: grade 11Bremen: grade 11/12Hamburg: grade 11/12Hesse: grade 12Lower Saxony: grade 12/13North Rhine-Westphalia: grade 12/13Rhineland-Palatinate: grade 12/13Saarland: grade 12Saxony: grade 11Saxony-Anhalt: grade 11/12Schleswig-Holstein: grades 11, 12/13

Charging and discharging a capacitor

A capacitor charges through a resistor and discharges again. The graphs show how voltage and current change over time.

Unit 3.2.2Motion of charged particles in fields (Q2)

Acceleration and deflection of charged particles in electric fields, the Lorentz force and circular paths in magnetic fields, particles in perpendicular fields.

Lorentz force and fine-beam tube

Electrons fly along a glowing circular path in a magnetic field. From the radius you determine a property of the electron.

Grade 10–13Baden-Württemberg: grade 12/13Bavaria: grades 10, 12Berlin: grade 11Brandenburg: grade 11Bremen: grade 11/12Hamburg: grade 11/12Hesse: grade 12Lower Saxony: grade 12/13North Rhine-Westphalia: grades 7–10, 12/13Rhineland-Palatinate: grade 12/13Saarland: grades 10, 12Saxony: grade 11Saxony-Anhalt: grade 11/12Schleswig-Holstein: grades 11, 12/13

Unit 3.2.3Electromagnetic induction (Q2)

Magnetic flux and the law of induction, Lenz’s law, self-induction and technical applications; in the LK also in differential form.

Electromagnetic induction

Magnet in, the needle swings. Magnet out, it swings the other way. Every generator works on the same principle.

Grade 9–13Baden-Württemberg: grades 9/10, 12/13Bavaria: grades 10, 12Berlin: grades 9/10, 11Brandenburg: grades 9/10, 11Bremen: grades 7–9, 11/12Hamburg: grades 9, 11/12Hesse: grades 9/10, 12Lower Saxony: grade 12/13North Rhine-Westphalia: grades 7–10, 12/13Rhineland-Palatinate: grades 7–10, 12/13Saarland: grades 10, 12Saxony: grades 9, 11Saxony-Anhalt: grades 9, 11/12Schleswig-Holstein: grades 7–10, 11, 12/13

Unit 3.2.4Oscillations (Q2)

Harmonic oscillation of spring and simple pendulums, damping, forced oscillation and resonance, the electromagnetic oscillating circuit.

Simple pendulum

Pull a pendulum aside, let it go and measure how long one swing takes. What does it depend on? Also with large angles and damping.

Grade 10–12Baden-Württemberg: grade 12/13Bavaria: grade 11Berlin: grades 9/10, 11Brandenburg: grades 9/10, 11Bremen: grade 11/12Hamburg: grades 10, 11/12Hesse: grade 12Lower Saxony: grade 12/13North Rhine-Westphalia: grade 12/13Rhineland-Palatinate: grade 12/13Saarland: grade 12Saxony: grades 10, 12Saxony-Anhalt: grade 11/12Schleswig-Holstein: grades 11, 12/13

Spring pendulum

A mass bounces up and down on a spring. Graphs show position, speed and energy during the oscillation.

Grade 10–12Baden-Württemberg: grade 12/13Bavaria: grades 11, 12Berlin: grades 9/10, 11Brandenburg: grades 9/10, 11Bremen: grade 11/12Hamburg: grades 10, 11/12Hesse: grade 12Lower Saxony: grade 12/13North Rhine-Westphalia: grade 12/13Rhineland-Palatinate: grade 12/13Saarland: grade 12Saxony: grades 10, 12Saxony-Anhalt: grade 11/12Schleswig-Holstein: grades 11, 12/13

Driven oscillation and resonance

A motor drives an oscillating wheel. If the motor hits exactly the right rhythm, the wheel swings especially strongly: resonance.

Grade 10–13 · UniversityBaden-Württemberg: grade 12/13Bavaria: grades 11, 12Berlin: grades 9/10, 11Brandenburg: grades 9/10, 11Bremen: grade 11/12Hamburg: grade 11/12Hesse: grade 12Lower Saxony: grade 12/13North Rhine-Westphalia: grade 12/13Rhineland-Palatinate: grades 7–10, 12/13Saarland: grades 12, 13Saxony: grades 10, 12Saxony-Anhalt: grade 11/12Schleswig-Holstein: grades 11, 12/13

The summaries describe the curriculum in our own words. The original text is authoritative. Original text (German): Rahmenlehrplan, Gymnasium, Physics, grade 11