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Physics

Physics allows you to explain why things happen. Why does a plane fly, why does an ice skater spin faster when she pulls her arms in. Why can’t you make a swing catch another swing up? Why was Polonium 110 used as a poison, but not Polonium 209 or 211?

Physics is studied by all pupils from Years 7 to 11.

Aims

In the department we aim to stimulate curiosity and provide a positive atmosphere for the girls to hypothesise, take risks and succeed.

To use experimentation and modelling to develop explanations.
To encourage critical and creative thinking.
To develop the pupils’ scientific literacy, allowing them to take decisions based on scientific understanding and questioning the reliability and validity of evidence presented to them.
To encourage pupils to apply their scientific understanding throughout the school especially in other STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) subjects.

Curriculum and Assessment Maps

Year 7

Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year

Scheme of Learning

Autumn Term

Scheme of Learning

Spring Term

Scheme of Learning

Summer Term

Forces

Waves

Electricity

Energy

Matter

Forces

What forces do p1

What forces do p2

Describing forces

Balanced and unbalanced forces

Resultant forces

Mass and weight

Space

The night sky, stars and galaxies

Planets and the Solar System

The Earth

The Moon

Gravity

Energy

Energy stores

Energy transfers

Electricity

Current

Voltage

Resistance

Series and parallel circuits

Static electricity

Matter

Temperature

Heating and cooling

Thermal conduction

Thermal store of energy

Assessment Pieces

Multiple choice test on forces.

Assessment Pieces

Multiple choice test on space.

Assessment Pieces

Multiple choice test on electricity.

Key vocabulary

Balanced, unbalanced and resultant forces.

Mass and weight

Planets

Planets, galaxies, universe, stars

Current, voltage, resistance.

Series and parallel.

Conduction

Outside the taught curriculum

Watch science documentaries and interesting YouTube clips on Science.

Suggested reading

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zh2xsbk

Year 9

Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year	Scheme of Learning Autumn Term	Scheme of Learning Spring Term	Scheme of Learning Summer Term
Energy stores and changes Power, Work done and efficiency Heat transfer Energy resources Atomic structure Nuclear radiation and decay	Energy Energy changes and stores KE and GPE Elastic potential energy Energy calculations Work and energy Investigation planning Investigation Power Conservation of energy and efficiency Conduction Cooling curves Rates of heat transfer Insulation	Specific heat capacity p1 Specific heat capacity p2 Energy resources and demands Energy from fuels Energy from wind and water Energy from the Sun and Earth Nuclear energy Particles Density of regular shapes Density of irregular shapes and fluids Density and convection	Changes of state Specific latent heat Melting and boiling points Pressure in gases and solids Gas pressure laws Work done in a gas
	Assessment Pieces Test on energy changes	Assessment Pieces Teat on energy resources	Assessment Pieces End of year exam on energy and particles
Key vocabulary
Outside the taught curriculum	Watch science documentaries and interesting YouTube clips on Science.
Suggested reading	Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463 AQA textbook www.kerboodle.co.uk https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zsc9rdm

Year 10

Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year	Scheme of Learning Autumn Term	Scheme of Learning Spring Term	Scheme of Learning Summer Term
	Changes of state Specific latent heat Melting and boiling points Pressure in gases and solids Gas pressure laws Work done in a gas Electricity Potential Static electricity Electric fields Series and parallel circuits p1 Series and parallel circuits p2 Resistance Resistance and length Power Bulbs	Diodes LDRs and thermistors Mains electricity The national grid Waves The Nature of waves Wave calculations EM waves for communications High frequency EM waves Reflection Colours Infrared radiation Radiation required practical	The Earth’s infrared Refraction Concave lenses Convex lenses Sound waves Ultrasound Waves in water Waves in materials
	Assessment Pieces Test on Particles	Assessment Pieces Test on Electricity	Assessment Pieces Test on Waves End of Year 10 Examination
Key vocabulary
Outside the taught curriculum	Watch science documentaries and interesting YouTube clips on Science.
Suggested reading	Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463 AQA textbook www.kerboodle.co.uk https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zsc9rdm

Year 11

Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year	Scheme of Learning Autumn Term	Scheme of Learning Spring Term	Scheme of Learning Summer Term
	Forces Resultant forces Resolving forces Acceleration Distance-time graphs Velocity-time graphs Suvat Terminal velocity Forces and Braking Momentum Change in momentum Hooke’s Law Elasticity Levers and moments	Gears Pressure Electromagnetism Magnets and electromagnets Uses of electromagnets Conductors in a magnetic field The motor effect Induction Transformers p1 Transformers p2 Space Life cycle of stars The solar system and orbits The big bang theory
	Assessment Pieces Mock examinations	Assessment Pieces Test on Forces Test on electromagnetism	Assessment Pieces
Key vocabulary
Outside the taught curriculum	Watch science documentaries and interesting YouTube clips on Science.
Suggested reading	Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463 AQA textbook www.kerboodle.co.uk https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zsc9rdm

Year 12

Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year	Scheme of Learning Autumn Term	Scheme of Learning Spring Term	Scheme of Learning Summer Term
	Mechanics Vectors Motion graphs Equations of motion Projectile motion Newton’s Laws Waves Polarisation Superposition Stationary waves Young’s slits and diffraction Refraction Total Internal reflection	Mechanics (cont.) and Materials Momentum Impulse Energy and Power Work done Moments Materials Density Springs Deformation of materials Particle Physics Photoelectric effect Line spectra Particles and accelerators Radioactive decay	Electricity Potential Resistance Bulbs Components Resistivity Potential dividers Kirchhoff’s laws Particles (cont.) Further mechanics Circular motion Centripetal force
	Assessment Pieces Test on mechanics Test on waves	Assessment Pieces Test on mechanics Test on waves	Assessment Pieces End of year 12 exam.
Key vocabulary
Outside the taught curriculum
Suggested reading	Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/physics-7407-7408 AQA textbook

Year 13

Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year	Scheme of Learning Autumn Term	Scheme of Learning Spring Term	Scheme of Learning Summer Term
	Thermal Physics and Ideal Gases Internal energy Gas equations Kinetic theory Fields Gravitational fields Electric fields Magnetic fields Further mechanics Simple harmonic motion Mass-spring systems Resonance and damping Nuclear Physics Rutherford expt. Radius and density Radiation	Fields(cont.) Capacitors Induction Nuclear Physics (cont.) Inverse gamma law Half-life and decay constants Density and instability Power stations Turning points in Physics Michelson Morley Special relativity Mass and energy EM waves Wave-particle duality Discovery of the electron
	Assessment Pieces Test on Thermal Physics Test on Further Mechanics	Assessment Pieces Test on Thermal Physics Test on Nuclear	Assessment Pieces
Key vocabulary
Outside the taught curriculum
Suggested reading	Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/physics-7407-7408 AQA textbook

Further information

Staff

The Department boasts a wide range of experience. Current staff are:-

Mr M Nawaz (Subject Leader for Physics)
Mr A North (Teacher of Physics)
Miss A Kottapalli (Teacher of Physics)
Mr C Trotter (Assistant Headteacher)
Mr A Lock (Physics Technician)

Additional Information

What your daughter may do in lessons:

At GCSE and A-Level, practical activities are used where ever possible show Physics in action. Pupils are expected to work together to solve problems and make sense of the observations they make. There is a greater emphasis on the use of Maths to model and determine physical relationships.

Year 7

The pupils will receive one lesson of Physics each week. During the year they will study two topics. They are (i) Forces and Space and (ii) Electricity and Magnetism.

End of unit tests provide an opportunity for teachers to give feedback and for pupils to reflect on their learning.

Year 8

The pupils will receive one lesson of Physics each week. During the year they will study two topics. They are (i) Light and Sound and (ii) Energy. They will also do a short project at the end of Year 8.

End of unit tests provide an opportunity for teachers to give feedback and for pupils to reflect on their learning.

Years 9, 10 and 11

All girls take Physics at GCSE following the AQA 8463 specification starting in Year 9. They are is assessed via two written papers both taken at the end of Year 11. Each paper is of 1 hour 45 minutes duration.

Practical skills are taught throughout the course and the pupils undertake ten required practical investigations. These are assessed in the written papers at the end of Year 11.

In Year 9 pupils have 4 lessons of Physics per fortnight and in Years 10 and 11 this increases to 5 lessons per fortnight.

End of topic tests and homelearning tasks provide teachers with an opportunity to provide feedback to the pupils and for pupils to reflect on their learning.

Post 16 (A Level)

We follow the AQA A Level Physics specification 7408 which consists of 3 written papers at the end of Year 13. Students complete 12 required practical investigations, for which they have to meet 5 competencies and the skills gained are assessed in their written papers.

Each group in Year 12 and 13 is taught by two teachers. Throughout the course the girls are assessed by both of their teachers. Tests are regularly set, marked and feedback provided. Practical skills are observed and outcomes monitored.

How can parents help?

Physics opportunities parents can provide:

Thinktank, Birmingham’s science museum has many exhibits related to Physics and its applications.
Science is a popular television topic, Horizon and programmes with Brian Cox or Jim Al-Khalili are frequently repeated on BBC3 and 4. Myth busters, Bang goes the theory, and Brainiac all approach entertainment from a scientific perspective. Documentaries with “Engineering” in the title would also be useful.
Encouraging your daughter to help with DIY and using tools gives an awareness of forces, levers and machines.
Encouraging your daughter to take advantage of the opportunities available at school.

Where next

An A-level in Physics can lead to a variety of courses at university such as Geophysics, Architecture, Computer Science, Finance and Economics, Materials Science etc. as well as the more traditional routes into Physics, Astronomy and Engineering.

One possibly appealing aspect of studying Physics at university is the diversity of physics careers, which are not set in any one direction. Physics graduates have skills that are in high demand in diverse sectors. These include skills relating to numeracy, problem-solving, data analysis and the communication of complex ideas, as well as a wider understanding of how the world works, on a scientific and human level.

This highly transferable and valued skillset also means physics graduates earn more. According to the Institute of Physics (IOP) those with a BSc in Physics earn 14% more than other graduates, and this increases to 18% more for those with a Master of Physics (MPhys).

Physics graduates are in demand in many industries such as research, education, finance, automotive and aerospace industries, defence, the public sector, healthcare, energy, materials, technology, computing and IT, meteorology.

Opportunities out of lessons

Physics opportunities outside of lessons:

Science club for years 7 and 8.
STEM club for Key Stage 4 and 5
Regular external competitions advertised on the notice boards
Activity day trip to GCSE Live (y10)
STEM activity day events (y9)
Birmingham University evening lecture series
EDT Headstart courses for y12
Nuffield Bursary placements in y12
Library:
- Periodicals: Physics review, New Scientist magazine, FLIPSIDE,
- Books: Bad Science, Alice in Quantum Land, and many others

Useful links

For specifications:

AQA Physics GCSE
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463
AQA Physics A-level
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/physics-7407-7408
For general information about Physics and careers:
Institute of Physics
http://www.iop.org/

For revision:

Contact us…

King Edward VI Handsworth School,
Rose Hill Road, Birmingham B21 9AR

T: 0121 554 2342

E: office@kingedwardvi.bham.sch.uk

Quick Links

Physics

Curriculum and Assessment Maps

Further information

What your daughter may do in lessons:

Year 7

Year 8

Years 9, 10 and 11

Post 16 (A Level)

Physics opportunities parents can provide:

Physics opportunities outside of lessons:

Contact us…