Page 194 - The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12: Science, 2008 (revised)

Grade 11, University Preparation
f1. analyse the social, economic, and environmental impact of electrical energy production and technologies related to electromagnetism, and propose ways to improve the sustainability of electrical energy production;
f2. investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, magnetic fields and electric circuits, and solve related problems;
f3. demonstrate an understanding of the properties of magnetic fields, the principles of current and electron flow, and the operation of selected technologies that use these properties and principles to produce and transmit electrical energy.
F1. Relating Science to Technology, Society, and the Environment
F2. Developing Skills of Investigation and Communication
f. electricity And mAgnetiSm OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
By the end of this course, students will:
THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM, GRADES 11 AND 12 | science
SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS
By the end of this course, students will:
f1.1 analyse the social and economic impact of technologies related to electromagnetism (e.g., particle accelerators, mass spectrometers, magnetic levitation [maglev] trains, magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], electromagnetic pulses after nuclear explosions) [AI, C]
Sample issue: The use of red-light camera tech- nology at busy intersections has decreased the number of accidents and pedestrian fatalities. However, some people view the use of this technology as an unnecessary intrusion by “Big Brother”.
Sample questions: What are the benefits of elec- tromagnetic medical technologies? What impact does the cost of acquiring these technologies, and the need for specialized technicians to operate them, have on equitable access to health care in all regions of Canada? What harmful effects do solar flares have on our atmosphere, satellites orbiting the earth, and electrical systems?
f1.2 analyse the efficiency and the environmental impact of one type of electrical energy production (e.g., from hydroelectric, fossil fuel–burning, wind, solar, geothermal, or nuclear sources), and propose ways to improve the sustainability of electrical energy production [AI, C]
Sample issue: Compared to oil, coal is relatively inexpensive and plentiful, and, globally, the number of coal-burning electrical plants is expanding. Yet, coal power is inefficient, and the mining and burning of coal produce a great deal of pollution. Although technology is available to make coal cleaner, it is costly and has been implemented to only a limited extent.
Sample questions: How efficient are the small- and large-scale solar-power systems used in individual homes and industrial settings? What is the environmental impact of the generation of solar power? What technologies are being used to improve the efficiency of energy sources such as coal and biofuel? What impact does the increasing use of biofuels have on air quality, land use, and agricultural practices?
By the end of this course, students will:
f2.1 use appropriate terminology related to electri- city and magnetism, including, but not limited to: direct current, alternating current, conventional current, electron flow, electrical potential difference, electrical resistance, power, energy, step-up trans- former, and step-down transformer [C]
f2.2 analyse diagrams of series, parallel, and mixed circuits with reference to Ohm’s law (V = IR) and Kirchhoff’s laws [AI]
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