Field lines of point charges
Two charges and the field rearranges itself. A test charge measures where the force is strongest.
Physics – grade 12/13
Qualification phase of upper secondary (G9: grades 12 and 13). The subject requirements allow different orders, so the units are the same for grades 12 and 13 and are shown as one stage. Topics for deeper study or contexts are only examples. The numbers are our own.
Unit FElectric and magnetic fields
The field concept, bodies in static fields and changing electromagnetic fields.
F.1The field concept for describing interactions
Electric, magnetic and gravitational fields, charge and induced charge, field strength, field lines and equipotentials, Coulomb’s law and the law of gravitation, potential, the parallel-plate capacitor with capacitance, energy and charging and discharging, magnetic flux density.
Charging and discharging a capacitor
A capacitor charges through a resistor and discharges again. The graphs show how voltage and current change over time.
F.2Bodies in static fields
Charges in electric and magnetic fields, the Lorentz force and the Hall effect, circular motion with centripetal force, also in gravitational fields, measuring e/m, accelerators and mass spectrometers.
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.
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.
F.3Changing electromagnetic fields
Magnetic flux and the law of induction, inductance and self-induction, switching on and off, technical applications and LC circuits.
Electromagnetic induction
Magnet in, the needle swings. Magnet out, it swings the other way. Every generator works on the same principle.
Unit WMechanical and electromagnetic oscillations and waves
Oscillations, propagation and superposition of waves, and spectra.
W.1Mechanical and electromagnetic oscillations
Parameters, the equation of oscillation and the linear force law, damped and forced oscillations with resonance, energy comparison.
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.
Spring pendulum
A mass bounces up and down on a spring. Graphs show position, speed and energy during the oscillation.
Driven oscillation and resonance
A motor drives an oscillating wheel. If the motor hits exactly the right rhythm, the wheel swings especially strongly: resonance.
W.2Properties and propagation of waves
Wavelength, frequency and speed, Huygens’ principle, diffraction and refraction, transverse and longitudinal waves, the Doppler effect (qualitative) and polarisation.
Transverse and longitudinal waves
A wave travels through a chain of particles. Each particle only oscillates in place, across or along the direction of travel.
Doppler effect
An ambulance drives past and the siren sounds lower. The wave fronts show why. You can also listen to it.
W.3Superposition of waves
Superposition and interference at double slits, gratings and single slits, interferometers and standing waves.
Interference of two circular waves
Two circular waves overlap: in some places they reinforce each other, in others they cancel out.
Double slit and grating
Laser light passes through a double slit or a grating. A pattern of bright and dark stripes appears on the screen.
Standing waves
A wave is reflected at the end and a fixed pattern of nodes and antinodes appears, like on a guitar string.
W.4Spectra
Colours, the electromagnetic spectrum, emission and absorption spectra, discrete and continuous spectra.
Atomic models and line spectra
Every element glows in its own colours. When an electron drops one level, exactly one line appears in the spectrum.
Unit QQuantum physics and matter
Quantum objects and models of the atom.
Q.1Quantum objects
Basic aspects of quantum theory, the double slit with photons and electrons, the photoelectric effect, the de Broglie wavelength, the X-ray bremsstrahlung spectrum, Bragg reflection, the Compton effect and uncertainty.
Photoelectric effect
Red light can be as bright as you like, it frees not a single electron. Short-wave light does it at once. A puzzle for waves, not for photons.
Electron diffraction
Electrons hit a thin layer of graphite and form rings on the screen, just like waves do.
Double slit and grating
Laser light passes through a double slit or a grating. A pattern of bright and dark stripes appears on the screen.
Q.2Models of the atom
The quantum model of the atom, orbitals and energy levels of hydrogen, line spectra, the potential well, characteristic X-rays and the Pauli principle.
Atomic models and line spectra
Every element glows in its own colours. When an electron drops one level, exactly one line appears in the spectrum.
Unit VPossible topics for deeper study or contexts
Examples, also for a profile seminar: astronomy, astrophysics, relativity, nuclear physics, particle physics, solid-state physics, thermodynamics, climate physics, biophysics, ocean and climate, medicine and sensors, electric mobility.
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.
Radioactive decay and half-life
Many nuclei decay at random and a Geiger counter clicks. Even so, after each half-life almost exactly half are left.
Gas laws
Push the piston halfway in and the pressure doubles. Heat the gas and it pushes the piston out. Pressure, volume and temperature are tightly linked.
The summaries describe the curriculum in our own words. The original text is authoritative. Original text (German): Fachanforderungen, Gymnasium, Physics, grade 12/13