Physics Teachers
Mr S Taylor, Mr A Gardner, Mrs V Miller
‘There is nothing that living things do that cannot be understood from the point of view that they are made of atoms acting according to the laws of physics’ Richard P. Feynman
Our Courses
S3 Physics
In S3 Physics, you will cover the following topics:
- Astronomy and Space Exploration
- Mechanics and Properties of Matter
- Electricity and Electronic Systems
- Waves and Magnetism
In “Astronomy and Space Exploration”, we will learn about the variety of celestial objects in our universe, the history of space exploration and discover how our knowledge of our universe has evolved over time.
In “Mechanics and Properties of Matter”, we will learn how to work with speeds, accelerations and forces in relation to different sports. We will also learn about density, air pressure and the uses of compressed air.
In “Electricity and Electronic Systems”, we will learn about voltages, electrical current and resistance while building basic circuits. We will also learn about different electronic components before designing unique circuits for specific jobs.
In “Waves and Magnetism”, we will learn about the properties of sound waves and examine the pitch and volume of different sounds. We will revisit the electromagnetic spectrum and learn how it helps with modern living, and finally discover the power of electromagnets.
S4 Physics
In S4 Physics, you will cover the following topics:
- Waves
- Radiation
- Dynamics
- Space
- Properties of Matter
- Electricity
In “Waves”, we will learn about sound waves and electromagnetic waves and how they influence our daily lives. We will look at wave properties in more detail and use our understanding to solve problems.
In “Radiation”, we establish where radiation comes from, how it can help us, and how we can protect ourselves from it’s harmful effects. We also examine how electricity can be generated in nuclear power plants.
In “Dynamics”, we will learn about forces and motion. We will spend time learning about speed, acceleration and graphs of motion. We will also examine how projectiles behave. Finally, we establish what forces can do while looking at Isaac Newton’s Laws of Motion.
In “Space”, we will learn about the risks and challenges of space exploration. We will examine stellar spectra which help us establish the composition of stars. We will also learn about a variety of astronomical objects and examine the forces involved in a rocket launch.
In “Properties of Matter”, we will examine the gas laws – how changing the pressure, temperature and/or volume can affect a fixed mass of gas. We will establish what is meant by density, and also examine what happens to materials as they undergo a change of state.
In “Electricity”, we will establish the fundamental rules of how voltage and current behave in different types of electrical circuits. We will also develop an understanding of “control circuits” – circuits which carry out tasks automatically, depending on set conditions.
Higher Physics
In Higher Physics, you will cover the following topics:
- Our Dynamic Universe
- Particles and Waves
- Electricity
In “Our Dynamic Universe”, we will advance our knowledge of motion, study complex examples of forces and introduce momentum and impulse. We will also explore the physics of our universe by studying special relativity, the doppler effect, red shift and dark matter.
In “Particles and Waves”, we develop our understanding of the standard model of particle physics. We examine the forces experienced by charged particles within electric fields, nuclear reactions, the photoelectric effect and the science behind how spectra is formed.
In “Electricity”, we go into more depth on how electrical circuits operate. We examine more complex ideas like internal resistance and semiconducting materials, as well as looking at individual components, like capacitors, in more detail.
Advanced Higher Physics
In Advanced Higher Physics, you will cover the following topics:
- Rotational Motion and Astrophysics
- Quanta and Waves
- Electromagnetism
In “Rotational Motion and Astrophysics”, we expand our existing knowledge of forces and motion in a straight line, to include objects moving in circular paths. We study astrophysics and include topics such as general relativity, gravitation and also examine the lifecycle of stars.
In “Quanta and Waves” we examine some of the experiments in physics that couldn’t be explained with classical physics, resulting in the dawn of quantum physics. We study cosmic rays, simple harmonic motion and learn to create wave equations. We will also go into greater depth on interference and investigate the polarisation of light.
In “Electromagnetism”, the links between electricity and magnetism is established and we will learn to calculate the force experienced by charged particles within electric fields. We will also look at electromagnetic phenomena such as inductance, and study components like capacitors in more detail.