This document outlines the specific competencies and learning objectives for a fourth year physics course. It is divided into six main sections that cover various topics in energy and its applications: I) Energy in Society, II) Energy and the Environment, III) Energy in the Home, IV) Energy and the Economy, V) Energy in Transportation, and VI) Energy in Communication and Information Technology. Each section lists multiple competencies and objectives that students should achieve by the end of the course, such as understanding concepts of atomic structure, nuclear radiation, electromagnetism, and their relevance to technology and society.

1. PHYSICS
Fourth Year
Specific Competencies
I. Energy in Society
1. Appreciate the importance of energy resources and energy use in
development.
1.1 Explain the role of energy in the development of human society from
the industrial age to the knowledge-based society.
1.2 Discuss examples of the interaction among energy, technology and
society [e.g. effects of energy in the environment, economic growth
and energy demand; energy resources and energy crisis, etc.]
1.3 Infer that the total mass-energy in the universe is constant.
II. Energy and the Environment
1. Understand the principles behind different optical instruments. (3 weeks)
1.1 Investigate the reflection and refraction properties of light using
simple optical devices (e.g. mirror and pinhole camera).
1.2 Compare the similarities and differences of the principle of the
camera and the human eye.
1.3 Explain the different kinds of eyesight defects and how lenses
correct these defects.
1.4 Demonstrate total internal reflection, diffraction, interference, and
polarization properties of light.
1.5 Explain and cite applications of internal reflection, diffraction,
interference, and polarization properties.
1.6 Setup a simple telescope and microscope.
1.7 Explain using ray diagrams how image is formed in a telescope and
a microscope.
2. Appreciate the contribution of scientists in the development of the atomic
theory and in understanding nuclear radiation
2.1 Describe Rutherford’s experiment to prove the existence of nucleus
in an atom.
2.2 Discuss the contributions of Becquerel, Pierre and Marie Curie on
radioactivity.
2.3 Explain Einstein’s matter-energy equivalence.
3. Understand basic concepts of atomic structure and nuclear radiation (2
weeks)
3.1 Name and describe the sub-atomic particles.
3.2 Determine the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in an
atom, given its atomic number and atomic mass.
3.3 Discuss and compare the types and properties of ionizing radiation.
3.4 Interpret equations on nuclear reactions.
3.5 Calculate the mass defect and nuclear binding energy of an atom
using the Einstein’s matter-energy equivalence.
4 Appreciate the uses of nuclear radiation in society
4.1 Explain the effects of these applications on living things and the
environment.

2. 4.2 Evaluate the risks and benefits derived from the applications of
nuclear radiation.
4.3 Explain the principle of radiation safety and its importance in society.
III. Energy in the Home
1. Appreciate the contributions of Franklin, Coulomb, Volta, and Ohm in the
understanding of electricity.
1.1 Cite the contributions of Franklin, Coulomb, Volta, Ohm and other
Filipino inventors.
2. Understand the basic concepts and principles of electricity as used in
home circuit connections.
2.1 Trace the electrical connections from the meter to the appliances in
the different parts of the home
2.2 Translate circuit diagrams into actual circuits and vice versa.
2.3 Measure electric current through a conductor, voltage across it and
its resistance.
2.4 Determine experimentally interrelationships among current, voltage
and its resistance.
2.5 Apply Ohm’s Law to series and parallel circuits.
2.6 Relate power to voltage and current.
2.7 Discuss and practice safety measures in dealing with electricity.
2.8 Compute electrical energy consumption.
2.9 Suggest ways of using electrical energy wisely.
IV. Energy and the Economy
1. Appreciate the role of energy generation, utilization and management and
conservation in economic development.
1.1 Describe the development of various energy resources in the country.
1.2 Evaluate the risks and benefits associated with energy development.
2. Recognize the contributions of Oersted, Ampere and Faraday to
electromagnetic theory.
2.1 Demonstrate Oersted’s discovery.
2.2 Compare the contributions of Faraday and Oersted to
electromagnetic theory.
2.3 Cite the significance of Faraday’s contribution to the development of
human society.
3. Demonstrate understanding of the technology of electrical energy
generation and transmission, and use.
3.1 Explain electromagnetic induction.
3.2 Discuss how electromagnetic induction is applied to generators and
transformers
3.3 Differentiate a step-up from a step-down transformer
3.4 Describe the energy transformation in electrical power plants.
3.5 Describe the transmission of electric energy from a power station to
the community
3.6 Discuss the working principle of an electric motor
3.7 Differentiate a motor from a generator.
3.8 Discuss the transformation of electrical energy to different forms

3. V. Energy in Transportation
1. Trace the developments in transportation facilities from the animal-driven
to engine-powered vehicles.
1.1 Discuss how the steam engine ushered in the industrial revolution.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the relationship among force, power, work
and energy.
2.1 Explain the relationship of kinetic energy and potential energy to work
and cite applications
2.2 Apply the Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy in different
situations.
2.3 Discuss the Laws of Thermodynamics as applied to heat engines
3. Understand concepts in force and motion as applied to land and air/sea
transport.
3.1 Apply Newton’s Laws of Motion to land transportation.
3.2 Explain road safety measures using the Law of Conservation of
Momentum.
3.3 Explain how the concepts of stress and strain, pressure and the
Archimedes principle apply to air and/or sea transport
VI. Energy in Communication and Information Technology
1. Trace the development of communication technologies.
1.1 Recognize the contributions of Graham Bell, Maxwell, Hertz and
Marconi in the development of telecommunications.
1.2 Explain how transistors revolutionized the telecommunications
industry
1.3 Describe communication in terms energy transfer and
transformations
2. Understand the transformation of energy in a telephone.
2.1 Compare the transmission of sound through air with its transmission
through solids, liquids, and a vacuum.
2.2 Discuss the factors that affect the speed of sound.
2.3 Explain how sound waves are produced, transmitted and propagated.
2.4 Discuss how information is transmitted and received in terms of
energy transfers and transformations in a telephone.
3. Appreciate the properties of electromagnetic waves and how they are
used in communication.
3.1 Explain how electromagnetic waves are produced.
3.2 Discuss the different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, their
properties and uses.
4. Understand the principles involved in radio communications
4.1 Describe how radio signals are generated, transmitted and received.
4.2 Explain how radio communication devices (eg. Cellphones, radio/TV
receivers) work.
4.3 Discuss how LASER and fiber optics had improved
telecommunication.
5. Appreciate rapid transmission of information brought about by
developments in electronics technology.

4. 5.1 Differentiate between discrete electronic components and integrated
circuits.
5.2 Understand how logic circuits are used in common electronic
devices.
5.3 Differentiate between digital and analog methods in sending
information.
6. Realize the impact of modern communications technology in society.(1 week)
6.1 Discuss how the information superhighway has influenced the affairs
of daily living.
Values for Integration in Physics
1. Manifest intellectual honesty, accuracy and perseverance in gathering and
reporting data.
2. Show open-mindedness and objectivity in dealing with data, observations, issues
and concerns.
3. Demonstrate patience when performing laboratory activities.
4. Demonstrate concern for others and the environment.
5. Promote positive attitudes towards science.
6. Accept the tentative nature of scientific theories.
7. Suspend judgment.