New trends in physics teaching, v.4; The ... - unesdoc - Unesco

Qatar
The grade 11 physics programme for science majors has as its theme: ‘Energy and matter’. It
deals with such topics as matter and energy in nuclear reactions (fission and fusion reactions) and
the fact that this form of energy is the origin of all other forms, i.e. it is the universal form of
energy; the nature of radiation energy and its properties (transmission, reflection, refraction etc.)
and the various phenomena resulting from its wave nature (diffraction, interference and polarization);
the effect of matter on energy: wave length and velocity and the explanation of the geometrical
phenomena in optics, and the effect of energy on matter: (a) photoelectric emission
and the dual nature of radiation energy, and (b) the absorption of radiation energy by matter and
the effects on its temperature, dimensions and state.
In grade 12 we deal with the energy in a field and how it affects bodies located in the field and
their motion. This is an attempt to arrive at a general picture of a field and its dynamics regardless
of the nature of the field, gravitational, magnetic or electric or any combination thereof. It is an
attempt towards the unification of physical laws.
11. Chemistry
The energy theme is a principal one in the study of chemistry. This article is not the place to
discuss this in detail, but some indication of the treatment adopted may be given. Energy levels
and sub-levels provide the approach through which the properties of elements are explained and
categorized in the periodic table; chemical reactions are examined from the energy point of view
and how the energy state of a reaction affects its path and its equilibrium. Separate chapters are
devoted to the kinetics of chemical reactions, thermal chemistry and electro-chemistry.
REFERENCES
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1. For statistics on education in Qatar see the annual reports published by the Ministry of Education for the
years 1974 to 1980. Ministry of Education, P.O. Box 80, Doha (Qatar).
2. For information on the Qatar University see the annual reports from 1972 onwards, University of Qatar,
Doha (Qatar).
3. GALIL, Nabil A. The Qatari Project for the Innovation of Science Education: 1st Report (1975). Doha
(Qatar), Department of Curriculum Development, Ministry of Education, 1975.
This report deals with the preliminary studies, the strategy of development and the plan of the project.
4. GALIL, Nabil A. The Qatari Project for the Innovation of Science Education: Reports 2-5 (1979). Doha
(Qatar), Department of Curriculum Development, Ministry of Education, 1979.
These 4 reports deal with the curricula designed for:
(1) Primary schools in Qatar
(1-6)
(2) Preparatory school in Qatar
(7-9)
(3) First year secondary (10)
(4) Science majors
(11 and 12)
(5) Literature majors
(11 and 12)
(References 1-4 are available in both Arabic and English languages.)
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