Physics

From Year 9 students at Invicta are taught by specialist teachers who are passionate and enthusiastic about the physical world around us. The foundation curriculum is designed to help build essential knowledge and skills within the main physical principles of energy, forces, matter, waves and electricity. The course provides opportunity for students to develop confidence in the subject through practical tasks, problem solving and beginning to apply their understanding to unfamiliar situations. The map below shows the learning journey from Year 9 through to Key Stage 4 where cross-links are continually made between the physical principles explored throughout the course.

Topics Covered

• Energy Conservation and dissipation
• Forces in balance
• Matter and Molecules
• Wave Properties
• Electric Circuits

Timetable

Over a fortnightly timetable students receive:

• 4 hours of guided classroom learning
• 2 x 30 minutes of guided independent homework

​Physics and Beyond

To Read

• For the Love of Physics: From the End of the Rainbow to the Edge of Time – A journey through the Wonders of Physics by Walter Lewin ISBN-10 145160713X
• Travelling to Infinity by Jane Hawkins (wife of Stephen Hawkins) ISBN-13 9781846883668
• How to by Randall Munroe ISBN-10 1473680328

To Watch

• Brian Cox – Forces of Nature BBC series
• Dr Shaun Donnelly free Science lesson series (Physics)
• Film – The Theory of Everything 2015 with Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones

To Listen

• BBC Radio 5 Live Science podcasts
• BBC Inside Science Radio 4
• BBC Sounds-Desert Island discs with Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell (Astrophysicist), Sir Martin Rees (Astronomer Royal), Professor Brian Cox (Professor of Physics), Maggie Aderin-Pocock (Space scientist)
• BBC Radio In our Time

To Research

• The energy transfers involved in rollercoasters
• The lives and works of Alessandro Volta, Isaac Newton, Michael Faraday, James Prescott-Joule.

To Visit

• Science Museum Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD
• The Natural History Museum Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
• Greenwich Observatory, Blackheath Ave, London SE10 8XJ
• Herstmonceaux Observatory, Herstmonceux, Hailsham BN27 1RN
• Woolsthorpe Manor Natural Trust (Home of Sir Isaac Newton), Grantham, NG33 5NR
• Manchester Museum of Science and Industry (aerospace galleries), Liverpool road, M3 4FP

Following the Foundation Year, students continue their exploration of the physical world by building on the principles of energy, forces, motion, radioactivity, waves, electromagnetism and space. Throughout the Key Stage 4 curriculum, students gain mastery in Physics, applying their knowledge and skills to unfamiliar scenarios, succeeding with more challenging problem-solving tasks and really seeing Physics in the wider world. Our staff are always enthusiastic in their approach and regularly use everyday examples to model and explain difficult concepts.

Exam board/Qualifications:       AQA Physics 9-1

• 2 papers x 1 hour and 45 mins at the end of Year 11
• No controlled assessment
• Each paper is 50% of the GCSE
• 10 Required practicals during the course
• Maths content is 30% of the marks
• Practical skills are 15% of the marks

Topics Covered

Year 10 

• Energy transfer by heating
• Force and Motion
• Radioactivity
• Electricity in the Home
• Electromagnetic Waves

Year 11

• Force and Pressure
• Electromagnetism
• Space
   

Timetable

Over a fortnightly timetable students receive:

• 4 hours of guided classroom learning
• 2 x 30 minutes of guided independent homework

Physics and Beyond

To Read

• AQA GCSE Physics Student Book (Third Edition), by Jim Breithaupt(Author), Lawrie Ryan ISBN-10: 019835939X
• New Grade 9-1 GCSE Physics: AQA Exam Practice Workbook, CGP Books, ISBN-10: 1782944842
• New GCSE Physics: AQA Answers (for Exam Practice Workbook), CGP Books, ISBN-10: 1782944893
• Stephen Hawking – Theory of Everything ISBN-10: 978189224797
• Physics World Magazines (monthly)– Institute of Physics
• New Scientist Magazine

To Watch

• Netflix – Countdown: Inspiration 4 Mission to Space Live Launch
• Amazon Prime – Gravity and me: The force that shapes our Lives
• BBC I-player – Neutrino: Hunting the Ghost Particle
• Netflix – Black Hole: The edge of all we know
• Sky Atlantic “Chernobyl.”
• Brian Cox – Wonders of the Universe BBC series
• Dr Shaun Donnelly free Science lesson series (Physics)

To Listen

• Physics podcasts by Seneca
• BBC Radio 5 Live Science podcasts
• BBC Inside Science Radio 4
• BBC Sounds-Desert Island discs with Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell (Astrophysicist), Sir Martin Rees (Astronomer Royal), Professor Brian Cox (Professor of Physics), Maggie Aderin-Pocock (Space scientist)

To Research

• Careers in Medical Physics such as sonographer, radiographer, radiotherapist.
• Engineering – electrical, mechanical and aerospace

To Visit

• Science Museum Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD
• The Natural History Museum Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
• Greenwich Observatory, Blackheath Ave, London SE10 8XJ
• Herstmonceaux Observatory, Herstmonceux, Hailsham BN27 1RN
• Royal Institution, London, 21 Abemale Street, W1S 4BS (laboratories on display where Michael Faraday carried out his electromagnetic practicals)

Ever since humanity first looked at the world around us we have been striving to explain our reality and how the Universe we find ourselves in works.  Physics looks to uncover the underlying laws of nature which governs the behaviours we observe within our Universe.  In the search for answers, physicists uncover new and novel ways to observe and experiment, in doing so new technologies are developed which impact our lives from mobile phones and televisions to MRI and Ultrasound scanners.  Whether it is testing or developing new materials for construction, developing quantum computers to revolutionise the next wave of technological advancements or looking to the stars and wondering what makes them shine, Physics is on the forefront of human understanding.  Through peering deep into the void of the distant Universe, Physics has peeled back the layers of time through the distant light from the very first galaxies and in doing so has come to explaining one of the fundamental questions we have; why are we here?

Through the search to describe the nature of our Universe, physicists use the language of mathematics paired with the creativity of thought needed to develop new theories and ideas to explain unusual and unexpected behaviours.  The Physics A Level course provides the next step on this journey of discovery to understand our universe.  Developing your understanding and the skills necessary for a future on the forefront of human thought; be that engineering, physics or astronomy.

This fascinating qualification unveils the nature of the atom, strange behaviours such as wave-particle duality, the fundamental forces which govern our very existence; gravitational, electromagnetic, strong and weak nuclear forces.  All the while developing the problem solving and practical skills required for the many future careers where this course can lead.  The department is very successful with students consistently achieving top grades and going on to study in areas such as Physics, Engineering and Medicine at higher education.

Exam board/Qualification:    OCR A   A Level Physics
Specification:                         H556

Course Content

Physics requires students to engage not only with the theoretical content of the course; applying knowledge and understanding to solve a broad range of problems, but also conduct practical experiments to discover first-hand the physical properties of the range of concepts covered.

Through the course, students will study Newtonian mechanics which describes the dynamic nature of the world around us.  They will explore electrical circuits and the electromagnetic force, uncovering how electrical currents are induced.  Both waves and particles, exploring one of the strangest yet most stunning discoveries of modern physics; wave-particle duality.  We will delve within the atom to the nucleus where we will discover two new forces of nature which explains the behaviours of radiation and nuclear power; leading to some of the most beautiful processes and structures we find within our Universe as well as allowing us to develop technologies which are used every day within hospitals to diagnose patients.  We explore one of the foundations of the modern world, that led to the industrial revolution; thermodynamics.  Students will gain a breadth of knowledge across the subject and a depth of understanding of the processes which underpin not only our modern world but the behaviour of the Universe itself.

Section 1 - Forces and Motion

Module 1 – Introduction to A Level Physics
Module 2 – Motion
Module 3 – Forces
Module 4 – Energy
Module 5 – Behaviour of Material
Module 6 – Momentum
 

Section 2 - Electricity and Magnetism

Module 1 – Electricity and Circuits
Module 2 – Electric Fields
Module 3 – Capacitors
Module 4 – Electromagnetism
 

Section 3 - Waves and Particles

Module 1 – Properties of Waves
Module 2 – Standing Waves
Module 3 – Simple Harmonic Motion
Module 4 – Particle and Nuclear Physics
Module 5 – Medical Physics
 

Section 4 - The Newtonian World and Astrophysics

Module 1 – Ideal Gases
Module 2 – Gravity
Module 3 – Astrophysics
Module 4 – Cosmology
 

Timetable

Over a fortnightly timetable students receive:

• 10 hours of guided classroom learning which includes practical investigations as well as theory and problems classes.
• 10 hours of guided independent homework including guided pre-reading and ongoing guided review and revision.

Assessment

Theory knowledge is assessed through a series of three external examinations which accounts for 100% of the A Level qualification.  These are Modelling Physics (135 minutes) which makes up 37% of the final qualification, Exploring Physics (135 minutes) which makes up another 37% of the final qualification and Unified Physics (90 minutes) which makes up the final 26% of the qualification.  Throughout the two year course, plenty of exam style questions are used in class, at home and through exam style assessments.  Students are provided with rigorous feedback on their performance throughout the two years to help develop and feed into an ongoing process of diagnose, review and mastery.  This will not only prepare them for the final assessment but develop strategies which can be carried forward into further education.

The Practical Endorsement is an ongoing assessment which is carried out within practical activities within lessons.  Students are provided with a practical booklet which they will work through over the two years, completing analysis and evaluation of practical activities and are given a wide range of opportunities to demonstrate their competency and fluency within practical activities.

Enrichment and Extra Curricular

Students are given the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of enrichment and extra-curricular activities. Trips, including to the Physics in Action events in London and to CERN, take place to ensure students are able to experience, witness and explore the implementation of the theoretical theories which they are learning. 

Students are encouraged to participate in virtual and attend in-person lectures run by different providers such as the Institute of Physics, Royal Institution and University Physics departments in order to gain mastery within the subject.

The Arkwright Engineering Scholarship is available for the top students to apply. An Arkwright Engineering Scholarship is the most esteemed scholarship of its type in the UK, designed to inspire students to pursue their dreams and change the world as a future leader in engineering. The Scholarships are awarded to hard-working 16-year-old students through a rigorous selection process, supporting them through their A Levels. Every Scholarship is sponsored by a commercial company, trade association, university or professional institution. This means that support is offered in various different ways, for example, valuable hands-on work experience, support for your curriculum project and a personal mentor who can help you with aspects of your studies and career planning.

To Read

Books 

• The World According to Physics – Jim Al-Khalili; Princeton University Press, 2020
• Seven Brief Lessons on Physics – Carlo Rovelli;  Pengiun, 2016
• The Universe in Your Hand; A Journey Through Space, Time and Beyond – Christophe Galfard;  Macmillan, 2015
• A Short History of Nearly Everything – Bill Bryson;  Black Swan, 2016
• Classical Mechanics; The Theoretical Minimum – Leonard Susskind and George Hrabovsky;  Penguin, 2014
• It’s Not Rocket Science – Ben Millar;  Sphere, 2012
• Big Bang; The Most Important Scientific Discovery of All Time and Why You Need to Know About It – Simon Singh;  Harper Perennial, 2005
• Professor Povey’s Perplexing Problems; Pre-University Physics and Maths Problems with Solutions – Thomas Povey;  Oneworld Publications, 2015
• Quantum; A Guide for the Perplexed – Jim Al-Khalili;  Weidenfield and Nicholson, 2012
• Why Does E=mc2 – Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw;  Pengiun, 2012
• A Brief History of Time; From Big Bang to Black Holes – Stephen Hawking;  Bantam, 2011
• The Particle at the End of The Universe – Sean Carroll;  Oneworld, 2012
• Just Six Numbers; The Deep Forces that Shape our Universe – Martin Rees;  Weidenfield and Nicholson, 1999
• The 4-Percent Universe; Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and The Race to Discover the Rest of Reality – Richard Panek;  Oneworld, 2012
• Until the End of Time – Brian Greene; Penguin, 2021

Websites 

• A Level Physics Online – full video explanations for all the A Level Topics.
• Physics and Maths Tutor – comprehensive library of A Level exam style questions.
• Khan Academy – excellent source of physics content not both for A Level but beyond.
• Isaac Physics – great resource to help with mastering physics problem solving.
• Physics.org – excellent source from the IOP to explore physics further.
• CERN – a great source to explore the research coming out of one of the most cutting edge experiments on the planet.
• Galaxy Zoo – a great resource to use to explore the field of astronomy.
• NASA and ESA – a great resource to use to explore two of the most renowned organisations in the exploration of space.

Publications

• New Scientist – excellent, accessible source of cutting edge physics.
• Nature – excellent source of cutting edge physics research.
• Scientific American – excellent source of cutting edge physics research.
• Arxiv – an excellent source of free pre-publish copies of scientific research papers.

To Watch

• Veritasium - https://www.youtube.com/c/veritasium 
• Walter Lewin Lectures - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiEHVhv0SBMpP75JbzJShqw 
• The Royal Institution Lectures - https://www.youtube.com/user/TheRoyalInstitution 
• Yale Courses https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4EY_qnSeAP1xGsh61eOoJA
• Perimeter Institute - https://www.youtube.com/user/PIOutreach
• Leonard Susskind Lectures - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyX8kQ-JzHI&list=PLQrxduI9Pds1fm91Dmn8x1lo-O_kpZGk8
• Feynman’s Lectures on Physics - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRE0GxT6Zbw&list=PLgRI7D_FXEnrCM8T1czHfJsvbQd4V1jRc
• World Science U Lectures - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgzD7Qo3ea6fer_QdtBVJng
• Fermi Lab Lectures - https://www.youtube.com/user/fermilab
• MIT Open Course - https://www.youtube.com/user/MIT
• CERN Lectures - https://www.youtube.com/c/CERNLectures
• Brian Cox Adventures in Space and Time - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m000wnk5/brian-coxs-adventures-in-space-and-time
• Brian Cox the Planets - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p07922lr/the-planets
• Brian Cox the Forces of Nature - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b07m57mz/forces-of-nature-with-brian-cox
• Brian Cox Universe - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p09ybnpd/universe
• Brian Cox Human Universe - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0276p50/human-universe
• Brian Cox Wonders of Life – https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b01rgjt0/wonders-of-life
• Brian Cox Wonders of the Universe – https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zdhtg
• Brian Cox Wonders of the Solar System
• Jim Al-Khalili Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity
• Jim Al-Khalili The Secrets of Quantum Physics
• Jim Al-Khalili Quark Science
• Jim Al-Khalili The Amazing World of Gravity
• Stargazing
• Horizon Lectures

To Listen

• 13 Minutes to the Moon podcast - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xttx2
• The Infinite Monkey Cage - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/b00snr0w
• 5 Live Science Podcast - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p02pc9ny
• ​The Life Scientific Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-life-scientific/id469912037
• Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/daniel-and-jorge-explain-the-universe/id1436616330
• The Supermassive Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-supermassive-podcast/id1495324190
• Settle the Stars: The Science of Space Exploration Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/settle-the-stars-the-science-of-space-exploration/id1488541353
• SpaceTime with Stuart Gary Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/spacetime-with-stuart-gary/id1080935752
• Sean Carroll’s Mindscape Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sean-carrolls-mindscape-science-society-philosophy/id1406534739
• Physics World Weekly Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/physics-world-weekly-podcast/id1400686733

To Research

Students need to demonstrate throughout the two years that they can research around the subject. This should involve going deeper into the concepts which we explore as well as other areas of the subject which takes their interest.  These areas could be used within discussions in class as well as at university interviews.  

Areas where students could be encouraged to do further research include;

• The Principles and Methods Behind the Search for Exoplanets
  • The search for exoplanets is one of the largest projects being carried out by astrophysicists today; you are to research the methods used by astronomers in the search for planets around other stars, how do these make use of the basic principles of Physics, e.g. Newton’s Law of Gravitation, The Doppler Principle
• Discovering the Standard Model of Particle Physics
  • The standard model of particle physics is one of the fundamental building blocks of physics itself; you are to look into the methods used by physicists when first discovering the nature of the atom and more recently the discovery of the fundamental particles…
• The Search for Clean Power; Developing Nuclear Fusion
  • Nuclear fusion has long been championed as the clean source of power which the world is waiting for; you are to research the current proposed methods for achieving nuclear fusion on Earth.  Why is it difficult to achieve and how have we struggled to utilise the current methods as a source of clean power…
• The use of Radiation in Medicine
  • Nuclear radiation is used for many purposes within the field of medical science; you are to research how different forms of radiation are used and how they work…
• The Principles of Physics behind Laser Eye Surgery
  • Laser eye surgery has revolutionised the lives of many patients with sight problems; you are to research the principles of optical physics which have made this procedure possible.  What are the problems which those with short and long sightedness have and how does laser eye surgery help…

To Visit

• The Natural History Museum – London
• The Science Museum – London
• Jodrell Bank – Cheshire
• Royal Observatory, Greenwich – London
• The Royal Institution – London
• Spaceguard Centre –Powys 
• Air Radar Defence Museum – Norfolk
• Manchester’s Museum of Science & Industry – Manchester
• Woolsthorpe Manor – Lincolnshire
• James Clerk Maxwell House and Foundation – Edinburgh
• Trinity College School of Physics – Dublin

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