Physics
Physics –听 Dare to be Wise and be Curious about the Wonderful Universe around us!
Head of department: Mrs S Britton
Overview/vision/introduction
Physics is the most fundamental of the experimental sciences, as it seeks to explain the universe itself from the very smallest particles to the vast distances between galaxies. The Physics Department at 麻豆官网 is characterised by enthusiasm for science in general, a fascination for Physics in particular, coupled with a commitment to high quality and effective teaching.
Our aim is for that teaching to bring about deep learning for all students and to develop a curiosity about the world and universe that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.听The skills that students studying Physics gain at 麻豆官网 (practical, problem solving, numeracy, analysis, team work, communication and research) equips them to be able to enter a wide range of professions, not just in Physics and Engineering, but in Finance and Journalism, for example.
Our students build on their prior knowledge to understand quite difficult concepts -all the way up to Einstein鈥檚 famous equation and theory of special relativity at IB level. Students studying physics develop an understanding of how the world around them works for example 鈥� why their phone charges, how they hear sounds and why we have day and night. Students are equipped with practical skills so they can design and carryout experiments to test theories and analyse the results of others to see if they are valid.听 Students learn to work in teams on practical work and can discuss and debate the validity of their results.
We have a highly qualified team of physics teachers lead by Mrs Britton who is a specialist in astronomy. We are all passionate about our subject and are keen to explore new ways of teaching different topics. Our team includes Mr Evans who worked as a graduate engineer, Mr Tucker who is an astrophysicist听 and Mr Read, a Biology specialist with experience of, and a passion for, linking learning across Biology, Chemistry and Physics. our technician , Mr Christodoulides, is also an experienced physics teacher. .
KS3
All students follow the Physics course as outlined in the KS3 Science Section of the Website
GCSE
We follow the AQA exam board. Students will study energy, electricity, the particle model of matter, atomic structure and radioactivity, forces, waves, magnetism and electromagnetism and space physics. These topics are delivered around themes to give context to the Physics that is being studied.
In Year 9 the theme is Rockets & Space Exploration.
During the year students study how rockets are put into space, the types of orbits satellites occupy and the reasons for doing so. Later on, we look to see how waves are used for communication and exploration, and investigate issues about colonising other planets before a final look at the life-cycle of stars, and evidence for the Big Bang and the evolution of the Universe. At the end of Year 9, students are assessed as to which course best suits them, Physics or Trilogy based on teacher judgement as well as tests and homework tasks throughout the year. They then follow their course throughout Year 10 and 11.
In Year 10 the theme is the Physics of Theme Parks.
During this year, students study the Physics of Theme Parks, all the way from forces and energy in Rollercoasters, through to powering the Parks and how electricity is used in the different aspects of the Park.
In Year 11 the theme is based on the film 鈥淭he Italian Job (2003)鈥�.听 The course looks at all the physics in the film, such as the electromagnets used to control the traffic lights, the forces involved when the minis crash and the pressure underwater taking the gold from the safe.
The examinations will all take place in the summer of year 11 and will cover all material studied since the beginning of the course in year 9. Students complete required practical tasks throughout the course which are part of the exam in year 11.
Sixth Form
We follow the OCR exam board for A level.
Students study, electricity, forces, waves, materials science and quantum physics in year 12. In year 13 students study gravitational, electric and magnetic fields, capacitors, cosmology, astronomy, circular motion, radioactivity, capacitors, gases, thermal physics and medical physics. A large part of the course is practical and practical skills are taught and assessed throughout the course. The exam takes place in the summer of year 13 and is 100% of the final grade.
IB
Students study a variety of physics throughout the IB course, including electricity, materials, waves, gases, fields, relativity, thermodynamics, forces, atoms, quantum physics, fission and fusion. Practical skills are taught throughout the course and the practical element is assessed as a 10 hour project. This counts towards 20% of the final grade with the remaining 80% assessed in exams in year 13.
GCSE Astronomy
GCSE Astronomy is taught as a lunchtime club and is open to students from year 8 to year 13. It is a two year course so students are expected to attend one lunchtime a week for two years and then complete some self-study at home. Topics include constellations and asterisms, the equation of time, the big bang, the atmosphere of the sun. The content is taught by the physics staff and by students that have previously taken the course.
We include many enrichment activities in the physics department. In recent years this has included a particle physics workshop, a trip to Hinkley Point and to Thorpe park.
