This is year 2 of the two-year course designed to help students aged 13 and above develop a deep understanding and love of physics, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve high grades in the iGCSE exam and progress to A level.
By providing ample time for experimentation and practical work, students will gain real-life experience of physical phenomena and learn the methods used by physicists.
The course emphasizes mathematical problem solving and hands-on experimentation.
Course Content:
The course consists of the following modules, with the first year focusing on modules 1-4. However, there is some flexibility based on class requirements.
Forces & motion
Students will carry out experimentation to
measure velocity and acceleration
Investigate balanced and unbalance forces
Verify Hooke’s Law and shape deformation
Demonstrate Newton’s three laws of motion
Measure potential & kinetic energy
Students will master calculations involving
Equations of motion
Analysis of time and motion graphs
Conservation of momentum
Coupling and turning forces
Work & Power
Energy resources & energy transfer
Students will receive practical tuition of energy transfer mechanisms
Conduction, Convection & Radiation
Energy Storage, Conservation & Transfer
Use of Sankey diagrams
Solids Liquids & Gases
This includes experimentation with
Mass, volume, density & pressure
Measurement of specific heat
Calculations using Boyles & Charles Law
Electricity
Students will learn about and experiment with
safety mechanisms; earthing & fuzing
power calculations and how to determine cost of consumption
voltage and current measurement using Digital Volt Meter’s
components and circuits
Ohm’s law to determine resistance.
Gold Leaf Electroscopes
a Van der Graph Generator and a Wimshurst machine
Waves
This subject will be taught with the aid of a ripple tank to demonstrate Longitudinal & Transverse waves
Students will learn how to use an oscilloscope for signal analysis and wave parameter measurement including
Measurement of signal amplitude, wavelength and period.
Students will make use of a range of optical equipment in order to
Measure reflection and refraction
Experiment with prisms to produce spectra
Measure refractive index and critical angle
Sonar
Experimentation will include use of a sonometer and digital meter for
Measurement of frequency
Tuning for resonance
Detection of bat signals
Magnetism & electro magnetism
Experimentation with magnetic fields involves use of plotting compasses and iron filings
Students make their own magnets and determine the field lines produced by magnets and solenoids
Students will use DC and AC motors to gain an understanding how they work and to
Demonstrate Flemming’s Left Hand Rule for motors
Experience electromagnetic induction use of transformers
Radioactivity
Students will learn about the structure of the atom and the cause of radioactive decay. They will:
Study Alpha, Beta and Gamma radiation
Practice radioactive decay calculations
Half life measurement
Fission & Fusion reactions
Astrophysics
This module explores the solar system, the evolution of stars and the creation of the universe known as cosmology
Students will practice satellite calculations and learn about the different orbits used by natural and man made satellites
The section on stellar evolution includes
The star life cycle
Understanding the Hertzsprung-Russel diagram which shows the relationship between a star’s temperature and its luminosity
In cosmology students will learn how the Hubble–Lemaître Law and the discovery of background radiation led to acceptance of the big bang theory
Students will learn to use the Doppler equation in order to calculate the velocity of distant galaxies.
Required Materials:
A4 Notebook
Pens
Graphite pencils
Maths set
Scientific Calculator

Total Course Cost: £405 {27 one and a quarter hour lessons at £15 each}