Uganda Senior One Curriculum - Physics

This course covers the fundamentals of physics, emphasizing practical skills and understanding through experimentation and scientific inquiry. It aims to prepare students for further studies in science-related disciplines and for informed participation in a technological world. The curriculum integrates generic skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and ICT proficiency.

Course Structure: The Physics curriculum is organized into themes and topics, with a specified number of periods allocated to each.

Senior One:

• Term 1:
• Introduction to Physics (6 periods): This topic introduces the meaning and importance of physics, its branches, and safe laboratory practices.
• Measurements in Physics (30 periods): Students learn to estimate and measure fundamental physical quantities (length, area, volume, mass, time, density) using appropriate instruments and units. They also explore accuracy, error sources, and scientific notation.
• States of Matter (10 periods): This topic covers the particle theory of matter, explaining the properties of solids, liquids, gases, and plasma, as well as changes of state and diffusion.
• Effects of Forces (16 periods): Students learn about different types of forces (contact and non-contact), balanced and unbalanced forces, gravity, mass, weight, friction, adhesion, cohesion, surface tension, and capillarity.
• Term 2:
• Temperature Measurements (10 periods): This topic distinguishes between heat and temperature, explores temperature scales and thermometer calibration, and examines the causes and effects of daily temperature variations.
• Heat Transfer (12 periods): Students investigate conduction, convection, and radiation, exploring their applications and the concepts of the greenhouse effect and global warming.
• Term 3:
• Expansion of Solids, Liquids, and Gases (8 periods): This topic covers the expansion of substances due to heating, the anomalous expansion of water, and their applications.
• Nature of Light; Reflection at Plane Surfaces (16 periods): Students learn about light sources, shadows, eclipses, reflection from plane surfaces, and applications like the periscope.

Senior Two - Four: Further details on the curriculum for Senior Two, Three and Four can be found in the official syllabus document: This document provides comprehensive information on the learning outcomes, suggested learning activities, and sample assessment strategies for each topic.