The Grade 11 Physical Sciences CAPS syllabus in South Africa follows the annual teaching plan with Physics and Chemistry topics across Terms 1-4, including mechanics and electricity, atomic combinations and chemical change, plus practical investigations, control tests and final exams. Use the term topics below with Grade 11 Physical Sciences past papers for exam preparation.
Weeks 1-11
Assessment: Formal practical: Newton's second law of motion OR verification of gravitational acceleration (as listed in ATP). Control test (as listed in ATP).
Resultants and components in 1D and 2D (graphical and component methods), closed vector diagrams, resolving vectors (Rx = Rcos(theta), Ry = Rsin(theta)), and magnitude/direction using Pythagoras and trigonometric ratios.
Normal force and friction (static and kinetic), force and free-body diagrams, resolving forces on inclined planes, resultant/net force, Newton's first/second/third laws, inertia, and applying Fnet = ma to equilibrium and non-equilibrium problems (including two-body systems).
Newton's law of universal gravitation; solve problems using F = Gm1m2/d^2. Calculate acceleration due to gravity on earth using g = GM/rE^2 and on another planet using g = GMP/rP^2. Distinguish between weight and mass; calculate weight using w = mg and for other planets; explain weightlessness.
Coulomb's law; electrostatic force problems in 1D (up to three charges) and 2D (three charges in a right-angled formation). Electric field definition and field patterns (single point charge, two charges, charged sphere). Define E = F/Q and solve problems; calculate resultant electric field using E = kQ/r^2 (restricted to three charges in a straight line).
Control test (as listed in ATP).
Resultants and components in 1D and 2D (graphical and component methods), closed vector diagrams, resolving vectors (Rx = Rcos(theta), Ry = Rsin(theta)), and magnitude/direction using Pythagoras and trigonometric ratios.
Normal force and friction (static and kinetic), force and free-body diagrams, resolving forces on inclined planes, resultant/net force, Newton's first/second/third laws, inertia, and applying Fnet = ma to equilibrium and non-equilibrium problems (including two-body systems).
Newton's law of universal gravitation; solve problems using F = Gm1m2/d^2. Calculate acceleration due to gravity on earth using g = GM/rE^2 and on another planet using g = GMP/rP^2. Distinguish between weight and mass; calculate weight using w = mg and for other planets; explain weightlessness.
Coulomb's law; electrostatic force problems in 1D (up to three charges) and 2D (three charges in a right-angled formation). Electric field definition and field patterns (single point charge, two charges, charged sphere). Define E = F/Q and solve problems; calculate resultant electric field using E = kQ/r^2 (restricted to three charges in a straight line).
Control test (as listed in ATP).
Weeks 1-11
Assessment: March control test discussion/corrections (as listed in ATP). Control test (as listed in ATP).
Magnetic fields around current-carrying conductors; Right Hand Rule for straight wires, loops and solenoids; magnetic flux; Faraday's Law and induced current direction; and related demonstrations (as listed in ATP).
Ohm's Law, V-I-R graphs, ohmic vs non-ohmic conductors, resistors in series/parallel, power and electrical energy (P = VI, P = I^2R, P = V^2/R), kWh and cost calculations (as listed in ATP).
Control test (as listed in ATP).
Chemical bonding and Lewis diagrams; covalent bonding, molecules and molecular shapes; bonding pairs and lone pairs; dative covalent bond; electronegativity and bond polarity; and bond energy/bond length (as listed in ATP).
Difference between intermolecular and interatomic (intramolecular) forces. Van der Waals forces (London, dipole-dipole, dipole-induced dipole, hydrogen bonding) and ion-dipole forces. Relationship to molecular mass and effects on boiling point, melting point, vapour pressure and solubility (as listed in ATP).
Magnetic fields around current-carrying conductors; Right Hand Rule for straight wires, loops and solenoids; magnetic flux; Faraday's Law and induced current direction; and related demonstrations (as listed in ATP).
Ohm's Law, V-I-R graphs, ohmic vs non-ohmic conductors, resistors in series/parallel, power and electrical energy (P = VI, P = I^2R, P = V^2/R), kWh and cost calculations (as listed in ATP).
Control test (as listed in ATP).
Chemical bonding and Lewis diagrams; covalent bonding, molecules and molecular shapes; bonding pairs and lone pairs; dative covalent bond; electronegativity and bond polarity; and bond energy/bond length (as listed in ATP).
Difference between intermolecular and interatomic (intramolecular) forces. Van der Waals forces (London, dipole-dipole, dipole-induced dipole, hydrogen bonding) and ion-dipole forces. Relationship to molecular mass and effects on boiling point, melting point, vapour pressure and solubility (as listed in ATP).
Weeks 1-11
Assessment: June control test discussion/corrections and remedial work (as listed in ATP). Control test (as listed in ATP).
Control test (as listed in ATP).
Mole concept, Avogadro's number, molar mass, molar gas volume at STP, concentration, percentage composition, empirical and molecular formulae, stoichiometry (including limiting reagents), percentage yield, and applied stoichiometry examples (as listed in ATP).
Heat of reaction (delta H), exothermic and endothermic reactions, sign of delta H, activation energy and activated complex, and potential energy vs course of reaction graphs for catalysed/uncatalysed reactions (as listed in ATP).
Common acids and bases; Arrhenius and Bronsted-Lowry definitions; conjugate acid-base pairs; amphiprotic substances; dissolution in water; reactions of acids with hydroxides, oxides and carbonates; and indicators and their colours (as listed in ATP).
Motion of molecules, average speeds, ideal vs real gases, conditions for ideal behaviour, Boyle's law (tables/graphs/equations), temperature as average kinetic energy, and pressure from collisions with container walls (as listed in ATP).
Control test (as listed in ATP).
Mole concept, Avogadro's number, molar mass, molar gas volume at STP, concentration, percentage composition, empirical and molecular formulae, stoichiometry (including limiting reagents), percentage yield, and applied stoichiometry examples (as listed in ATP).
Heat of reaction (delta H), exothermic and endothermic reactions, sign of delta H, activation energy and activated complex, and potential energy vs course of reaction graphs for catalysed/uncatalysed reactions (as listed in ATP).
Common acids and bases; Arrhenius and Bronsted-Lowry definitions; conjugate acid-base pairs; amphiprotic substances; dissolution in water; reactions of acids with hydroxides, oxides and carbonates; and indicators and their colours (as listed in ATP).
Motion of molecules, average speeds, ideal vs real gases, conditions for ideal behaviour, Boyle's law (tables/graphs/equations), temperature as average kinetic energy, and pressure from collisions with container walls (as listed in ATP).
Weeks 1-10
Assessment: Final examination: Paper 1 (2 hrs) and Paper 2 (2 hrs) (as listed in ATP).
Consolidation and revision of all topics (as listed in ATP).
Exam relevance: ATP lists Paper 1 topics as Physics.
Vectors in two dimensions; Newton's laws; Electrostatics; Electromagnetism; Electric circuits.
Acid-base reactions (preparing salts and neutralisation) and redox reactions (oxidation numbers, oxidation/reduction, oxidising/reducing agents, and balancing using half-reactions and standard reduction potentials) as listed in the ATP.
Exam relevance: ATP lists Paper 2 topics as Chemistry.
Atomic combinations; Intermolecular forces; Ideal gases and thermal properties; Quantitative aspects of chemical change; Energy and chemical change; Types of reaction.
Consolidation and revision of all topics (as listed in ATP).
Exam relevance: ATP lists Paper 1 topics as Physics.
Vectors in two dimensions; Newton's laws; Electrostatics; Electromagnetism; Electric circuits.
Acid-base reactions (preparing salts and neutralisation) and redox reactions (oxidation numbers, oxidation/reduction, oxidising/reducing agents, and balancing using half-reactions and standard reduction potentials) as listed in the ATP.
Exam relevance: ATP lists Paper 2 topics as Chemistry.
Atomic combinations; Intermolecular forces; Ideal gases and thermal properties; Quantitative aspects of chemical change; Energy and chemical change; Types of reaction.
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