Physics
The discoveries of physics stand prominently among humankind’s greatest achievements, with experimental methods and mathematical theory two of the most powerful tools we have for asking and answering questions about the basic material structure of reality.
Students study Physics with a dual focus on experiment and theory: students complete substantially more practical work than the exam board’s required practicals, and often explore ideas beyond the specification. We promote a knowledge-rich curriculum while providing space for students to develop their problem solving skills, creativity, and communication in written and spoken English.
The Department is accommodated in a range of laboratories across the Science Block and the STEM Centre. All of our classrooms are supported by nearby prep rooms and equipped with equipment to allow regular practical work during lessons.
Key Stage 3
Prior Learning from KS3
From Year 7 and Year 8 boys have a secure grounding in fundamental physics through studying a course aligned to the full KS3 National Curriculum. In addition, they will have developed a sound understanding of how to think like a scientist, applying the scientific method and how to plan and carry out investigations. We use this prior knowledge and build upon these principles through our GCSE provision.
Key Stage 4
YEAR 9
All boys study the same content, which is shared between the AQA Separate (8463) and AQA Combined Science Trilogy (8464) courses. The following topics are studied during the year:
Magnetism.
Energy stores and pathways, with associated calculations.
Energy resources and their advantages and disadvantages.
The particle model of matter and basic thermal physics.
Motion, Newton’s laws of motion, and Hooke’s law.
An introduction to electricity through hands-on circuit building.
YEAR 10
At the beginning of Year 10 all boys will be placed in sets according to their performance on the End of Year 9 exam. The decision is made about whether each boy takes the Separate Sciences or Combined Science route following exams in each Science during the Spring Term of Year 10.
Before this point, all boys study:
Electricity, DC circuits, and domestic electricity.
Further thermal physics.
Further dynamics and terminal velocity.
After course entry is decided, boys taking Separate Sciences will study:
Moments, levers, and gears.
Momentum and collisions.
Static, fluid, and atmospheric pressure.
Stars and cosmology.
Boys taking Combined Science will study:
Momentum and collisions.
Electromagnetism.
YEAR 11
Building on the content studied in Year 9 and Year 10, the Year 11 work contains many of the more conceptually demanding aspects of the course. A generous amount of time is provided for guided revision to allow thorough consolidation of the course material prior to GCSE examinations.
Boys taking Separate Sciences will study:
Electromagnetism.
Waves.
Nuclear physics.
Optics and the electromagnetic spectrum.
Boys taking Combined Science will study:
Nuclear physics.
Waves.
The electromagnetic spectrum
Key Stage 5
Physics is among the most respected A Level qualifications, with dedication and resourcefulness key to good performance. Students study the AQA specification (7408).
YEAR 12
Students have five hours of teaching each week. Teaching begins with topics familiar from GCSE.
Side A:
Basic mechanics: kinematics, forces, moments, and energy.
Materials.
Advanced mechanics: circular motion and rotational dynamics.
Atomic physics: the Bohr model and spectra.
Particle physics.
Side B:
Electricity.
Gases: thermodynamics and kinetic theory.
Engines.
Nuclear physics: nuclear structure, binding energy, fission, and fusion.
Side C:
The use of scientific instruments.
Uncertainties, their mitigation, and their effects.
Tabulating, graphing, and analysing data.
Practicals, including AQA Required Practicals, contributing to the Practical Endorsement.
Year 13
Students have four hours of teaching each week. The remaining topics are the most demanding in the course.
Side A:
Simple harmonic motion.
Nuclear physics: exponential decay, and decay modes.
Waves.
Side B:
Gravitational and electric fields, including orbits.
Electromagnetism: the motor effect, the Lorentz force, and electromagnetic induction.
Basic quantum physics: the photoelectric effect and wave-particle duality.
Exams & Assessment
GCSE
Examination board: AQA
A-LEVEL
Examination board: AQA
Enrichment & Extracurricular
Physics Club
Advanced Physics Club
Engineering Club
British Physics Olympiad
Resources & Reading Lists
Some useful websites include:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zpm6fg8
https://cognitoedu.org/home.html
https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/
https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/
Recommended books include:
In Search of Schrodinger’s Cat - John Gribbin
In Search of the Big Bang - John Gribbin
QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter - Richard Feynman
A Short History of Nearly Everything - Bill Bryson
A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking
Chaos: Making a New Science - James Gleick
The Scientific Revolution - Stephen Shapin