The Ethiopian Grade 12 Old Curriculum Physics Student Textbook has 8 units, and they are:
- Thermodynamics
- Oscillations and Waves
- Wave Optics
- Electrostatics
- Steady Electric Current and Circuit Properties
- Magnetism
- Electromagnetic Induction and A.C. Circuits
- Atomic Physics
Unit 1: Thermodynamics
Students learn about temperature, thermal equilibrium, and the laws of thermodynamics. The unit also covers kinetic theory, heat engines, and refrigerators, illustrating energy conservation and efficiency concepts.
Unit 2: Oscillations and Waves
This unit introduces periodic motion, simple harmonic motion, and wave properties. Students explore sound, wave equations, and how the human ear perceives sound waves.
Unit 3: Wave Optics
Students study wave fronts, Huygens’s principle, reflection, refraction, interference, and diffraction. The unit includes Young’s double-slit experiment and practical applications of optical phenomena.
Unit 4: Electrostatics
The unit focuses on electric charge, Coulomb’s law, electric potential, and capacitors. Students also explore the effect of dielectrics and the relationship between field and potential.
Unit 5: Steady Electric Current and Circuit Properties
Students learn about electric current, Ohm’s law, Kirchhoff’s rules, and circuit analysis. The unit also covers measuring instruments, the Wheatstone bridge, and potentiometers.
Unit 6: Magnetism
This unit covers magnetic fields, forces on moving charges, and Earth’s magnetism. Students also study Ampere’s law, magnetic forces on conductors, and motion of charged particles in fields.
Unit 7: Electromagnetic Induction and A.C. Circuits
Students explore electromagnetic induction, Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws, and alternating current principles. The unit covers A.C. generators, transformers, power in A.C. circuits, and RMS calculations.
Unit 8: Atomic Physics
The final unit introduces the dual nature of matter and radiation, atomic structure, nuclear reactions, and radioactivity. Students gain insight into fundamental particle behavior and nuclear properties.
