Specific Expectations

Understanding Basic Concepts

By the end of this course, students will:

• ME1.01 define and describe the concepts and units related to the present-day understanding of the nature of the atom and elementary particles (e.g., radioactivity, quantum theory, photoelectric effect, matter waves, mass-energy equivalence);
• ME1.02 describe the principal forms of nuclear decay and compare the properties of alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays in terms of mass, charge, speed, penetrating power, and ionizing ability;
• ME1.03 describe the photoelectric effect in terms of the quantum energy concept, and outline the experimental evidence that supports a particle model of light;
• ME1.04 describe and explain in qualitative terms the Bohr model of the (hydrogen) atom as a synthesis of classical and early quantum mechanics;
• ME1.05 state Einstein’s two postulates for the special theory of relativity and describe related thought experiments (e.g., describe Einstein’s thought experiments relating to the constancy of the speed of light in all inertial frames of reference, time dilation, and length contraction);
• ME1.06 apply quantitatively the laws of conservation of mass and energy, using Einstein’s mass-energy equivalence;
• ME1.07 describe the Standard Model of elementary particles in terms of the characteristic properties of quarks, leptons, and bosons, and identify the quarks that form familiar particles such as the proton and neutron.

Developing Skills of Inquiry and Communication

• ME2.01 collect and interpret experimental data in support of a scientific theory (e.g., conduct an experiment, or view prepared slides, to analyse how the emission spectrum of hydrogen supports Bohr’s predicted transition states in his model of the atom);
• ME2.02 conduct thought experiments as a way of developing an abstract understanding of the physical world (e.g., outline the sequence of thoughts used to predict effects arising from time dilation, length contraction, and increase of mass when an object travels at several different velocities, including those that approach the speed of light);
• ME2.03 analyse images of the trajectories of elementary particles to determine the mass-versus-charge ratio;
• ME2.04 compile, organize, and display data related to the nature of the atom and elementary particles, using appropriate formats and treatments (e.g., using experimental data or simulations, determine and display the half-lives for radioactive decay of isotopes used in carbon dating or in medical treatments).

Relating Science to Technology, Society, and the Environment

By the end of this course, students will:

• ME3.01 outline the historical development of scientific views and models of matter and energy, from Bohr’s model of the hydrogen atom to present-day theories of atomic structure (e.g., construct a concept map of scientific ideas that have been developed since Bohr’s model, and outline how these ideas are synthesized in the Standard Model);
• ME3.02 describe how the development of the quantum theory has led to scientific and technological advances that have benefited society (e.g., describe the scientific principles related to, and the function of, lasers, the electron microscope, or solid state electronic components);
• ME3.03 describe examples of Canadian contributions to modern physics (e.g., contributions to science and society made by Bert Brockhouse,Werner Israel, Ian Keith Affleck, Harriet Brooks, Richard Taylor, or William George Unruh).