Physics

 


Why Physics?

Physics makes you use your imagination and helps you to understand how and why things work. The course is designed to show the importance of Physics in our everyday lives. Many things we depend on, such as transport, power and modern technology are based on the laws of Physics. By studying Physics you will learn to investigate scientific questions and develop skill in making decisions based on information and reasoning.


Standard Grade

Course Outline

The course consists of the following units:

  • Telecommunications
  • Using Electricity
  • Health Physics
  • Electronics
  • Transport
  • Energy Matters
  • Space Physics

Assesment

Physics is assessed only at Credit and General levels.

  • Knowledge and understanding and problem solving are assessed by an external examination set and marked by the SQA.
  • Practical abilities are assessed in school by the teacher.

Progression

Successful completion of this course will normally lead to study at the following levels:

  • A pass at General Level – Intermediate 2
  • A pass at Credit Level – Higher

Intermediate 1

Course Outline

The course is made up of six compulsory units:

  • Telecommunications
  • Practical Electricity
  • Radiations
  • Sound and Music
  • Movement
  • Electronic

Assessment

The course is assessed by a combination of internal assessment by the teacher/lecturer and an examination set and marked by the SQA.

Progression

Successful completion of this course may lead to:

  • Intermediate 2 in Physics

 

Intermediate 2

Course overview

This course is designed to increase your knowledge and understanding of the concepts of Physics and its many applications in modern society. It provides the opportunity to develop skills necessary to find solutions to scientific problems, such as experimenting, investigating and analysing, and gives a deeper insight into the structure of the subject. The course makes a valuable contribution to your general education and provides a sound basis for further study at a more advanced level.

Entry to the Course

This is at the discretion of the school/college but you would normally be expected to have attained one of the following:

  • Standard Grade Physics at General level

    • and

  • Standard Grade Mathematics at General level

 

Course Outline

The course is made up of four compulsory units – two 40 hour units and two 20 hour units.
• Mechanics and the Properties of matter (40 hours)

• Electricity and Electronics ( 40 hours)

• Radioactivity (20 hours)

• Waves and Optics (20hours)

Assessment

The course is assessed by a combination of internal assessment by the teacher/lecturer and an external examination, set and marked by the SQA.

Progression

Successful completion of this course may lead to:

  • Higher in Physics

 

Higher Physics

Course overview

This course is designed to increase your knowledge and understanding of the concepts of Physics and its many applications in modern society. It provides the opportunity to develop skills necessary to find solutions to scientific problems, such as experimenting, investigating and analysing, and gives a deeper insight into the structure of the subject. The course makes a valuable contribution to your general education and provides a sound basis for further study at a more advanced level.

Entry to the Course

This is at the discretion of the school/college but you would normally be expected to have attained one of the following:

  • Standard Grade Physics at Credit level
  • Intermediate 2 Physics units or course

and

  • Standard Grade Mathematics at Credit level or Intermediate 2 Mathematics course.

Course Outline

The course consists of three 40 hour units and 40 hours flexible time.

Mechanics and Properties of Matter

This unit involves the study of:

  • vectors
  • equations of motion
  • Newton’s Second Law, energy and power
  • momentum and impulse
  • pressure and density
  • gas laws

Electricity and Electronics

This unit involves the study of:

  • electric fields and resistors in circuits
  • alternating current and voltage
  • capacitance
  • analogue electronics

Radiation and Matter

This unit involves the study of:

  • waves
  • refraction of light
  • optoelectronics and semiconductors
  • nuclear reactions
  • dosimetry and safety

Assessment

The course is assessed by a combination of internal assessment by the teacher/lecturer and an external examination, set and marked by the SQA.

Advanced Higher

Course overview

This course is designed to provide you with a deeper understanding of the nature of Physics and its applications. It builds on the skills, attitudes and abilities that you have developed at Higher level and provides a challenging experience for those who wish to study the subject in greater depth. The study of Advanced Higher Physics encourages an interest in current developments and applications of physics.

Entry to the course

This is at the discretion of the school/college but you would normally be expected to have attained the following:

  • Higher Physics

and

  • Higher Mathematics

Course Outline

The course is made up of four compulsory units – two 40 hour units and two 20 hour units.

Mechanics (40hours)

Topics studied in this unit include:

  • kinematic relationships and relativistic motion
  • angular motion
  • rotational dynamics
  • gravitation
  • simple harmonic motion
  • wave – particle duality

Electrical Phenomena (40 hours)

Topics studied in this unit include:

  • electric fields
  • electro magnetism
  • motion in a magnetic field
  • self inductance
  • forces of nature

Wave Phenomena (20 hours)

Topics studied in this unit include:

  • waves
  • interference – division of amplitude
  • interference – division of wavefront
  • polarisation

Physics Investigation (20 hours)

In this unit you are required to carry out an investigation and produce a report of your findings. This involves planning, organisation, designing experiments, collection and analysis of information.

Core Skills

  • Problem Solving (Critical Thinking, Planning and Organising, Reviewing and Evaluating)
  • Numeracy (Using Graphical Information, Using Numbers)

Assessment

Units are assessed internally by your teacher/lecturer in accordance with SQA guidelines.

The course is assessed by:

  • a written examination, set and marked by the SQA.
  • external assessment of the Investigation Report by the SQA

 

 

Useful websites;-

 

SG Physics