Physics

Year 12 - Physics

Autumn 1	Autumn 2
3.4 Mechanics and Materials To be able to use scale diagrams and trigonometry to combine and split vectors to solve static and dynamic problems. To be able to solve equilibrium problems by considering moment and forces. To calculate and discuss dynamics problems in a straight line and in two dimensions, considering the independence of vertical and horizontal motion. 3.6.2 Thermal Physics To calculate and describe the internal energy changes when heating a substance, resulting in temperature change and/or state change. To understand the experimental gas laws and the ideal gas equation and the assumptions that are made. To understand how the behaviour of particles is explained by kinetic theory, and the equations that are derived from this theory.	3.4 Mechanics and Materials Apply Newton’s laws of motion, and conservations of momentum and energy to real-world scenarios To know how materials are affected by tensile forces both qualitatively and quantitatively. 3.5 Electricity To know how resistance affects the current and potential difference in a circuit with a range of components and series and parallel parts. To investigate the resistivity of materials, component characteristics and the emf and internal resistances of power supplies.

Autumn 1

Autumn 2

3.4 Mechanics and Materials

To be able to use scale diagrams and trigonometry to combine and split vectors to solve static and dynamic problems.
To be able to solve equilibrium problems by considering moment and forces.
To calculate and discuss dynamics problems in a straight line and in two dimensions, considering the independence of vertical and horizontal motion.

3.6.2 Thermal Physics

To calculate and describe the internal energy changes when heating a substance, resulting in temperature change and/or state change.
To understand the experimental gas laws and the ideal gas equation and the assumptions that are made.
To understand how the behaviour of particles is explained by kinetic theory, and the equations that are derived from this theory.

3.4 Mechanics and Materials

Apply Newton’s laws of motion, and conservations of momentum and energy to real-world scenarios
To know how materials are affected by tensile forces both qualitatively and quantitatively.

3.5 Electricity

To know how resistance affects the current and potential difference in a circuit with a range of components and series and parallel parts.
To investigate the resistivity of materials, component characteristics and the emf and internal resistances of power supplies.

Spring 1	Spring 2
3.5 Electricity To create circuits that can be used to investigate components or create desired output voltages. 3.3 Waves To be able to describe waves using key terminology and numerically with regards to phase and path difference. To differentiate between different types of waves and their behaviours. To explain how waves behave when they meet and superpose. To explain the behaviour of waves during reflection, refraction, diffraction, polarisation and superposition.	3.3 Waves To know how light behaves differently when travelling through a single slit, double slit and diffraction grating. 3.2 Particles and Radiation To understand the constituents of the atom and how unstable nuclei act to become more stable. To know the four fundamental forces that govern all interactions in the universe (strong, weak, EM and gravitational). To be able to describe the categories of particles that exist and the rules that govern which category particles belong. To be able to use baryon, lepton, charge and strangeness rules to determine the decay, annihilation and production of particles.

Spring 1

Spring 2

3.5 Electricity

To create circuits that can be used to investigate components or create desired output voltages.

3.3 Waves

To be able to describe waves using key terminology and numerically with regards to phase and path difference.
To differentiate between different types of waves and their behaviours.
To explain how waves behave when they meet and superpose.
To explain the behaviour of waves during reflection, refraction, diffraction, polarisation and superposition.

3.3 Waves

To know how light behaves differently when travelling through a single slit, double slit and diffraction grating.

3.2 Particles and Radiation

To understand the constituents of the atom and how unstable nuclei act to become more stable.
To know the four fundamental forces that govern all interactions in the universe (strong, weak, EM and gravitational).
To be able to describe the categories of particles that exist and the rules that govern which category particles belong.
To be able to use baryon, lepton, charge and strangeness rules to determine the decay, annihilation and production of particles.

Summer 1	Summer 2
3.2 Particles and Radiation To explain the outcomes of Einstein’s discovery of the photoelectric effect. To understand how electron energy levels leads to the quantum physics ideas of photon absorption and emission Revision To prepare for mocks that cover all content so far (the whole of the AS course). To identify gaps in knowledge to ensure that students are strong in AS content before moving on to more challenging A2 content.	3.6.1 Further Mechanics To develop on the mechanics unit, applying new equations to circular motion. To be able to define simple harmonic motion and to investigate it in the examples of a pendulum and mass-spring system. To apply equations of SHM to harmonic oscillator and compare links to circular motion. To understand how knowledge of damping to avoid destructive resonance or to utilise resonance in mechanical systems.

Summer 1

Summer 2

3.2 Particles and Radiation

To explain the outcomes of Einstein’s discovery of the photoelectric effect.
To understand how electron energy levels leads to the quantum physics ideas of photon absorption and emission

Revision

To prepare for mocks that cover all content so far (the whole of the AS course).
To identify gaps in knowledge to ensure that students are strong in AS content before moving on to more challenging A2 content.

3.6.1 Further Mechanics

To develop on the mechanics unit, applying new equations to circular motion.
To be able to define simple harmonic motion and to investigate it in the examples of a pendulum and mass-spring system.
To apply equations of SHM to harmonic oscillator and compare links to circular motion.
To understand how knowledge of damping to avoid destructive resonance or to utilise resonance in mechanical systems.

All Year 12 Subjects

Year 13 - Physics

Autumn 1	Autumn 2
3.6.2 Thermal Physics To calculate and describe the internal energy changes when heating a substance, resulting in temperature change and/or state change. To understand the experimental gas laws and the ideal gas equation and the assumptions that are made. To understand how the behaviour of particles is explained by kinetic theory, and the equations that are derived from this theory.	3.7 Fields To understand features of field diagrams such as equipotentials, potential gradient, field strength and potential. Calculate force and changes in potential energy in electric, gravitational fields. Differentiate between radial, uniform and irregular fields. Understand how capacitors work, their uses and how to optimise capacitance. Explain the effects of magnetic fields on current carrying wires and free charges. Understand how transformers, motors and generators work.

Autumn 1

Autumn 2

3.6.2 Thermal Physics

To calculate and describe the internal energy changes when heating a substance, resulting in temperature change and/or state change.
To understand the experimental gas laws and the ideal gas equation and the assumptions that are made.
To understand how the behaviour of particles is explained by kinetic theory, and the equations that are derived from this theory.

3.7 Fields

To understand features of field diagrams such as equipotentials, potential gradient, field strength and potential.
Calculate force and changes in potential energy in electric, gravitational fields.
Differentiate between radial, uniform and irregular fields.
Understand how capacitors work, their uses and how to optimise capacitance.
Explain the effects of magnetic fields on current carrying wires and free charges.
Understand how transformers, motors and generators work.

Spring 1	Spring 2
3.8 Nuclear Physics Describe experiments to determine the type and the properties of α, β and γ (including inverse square properties). Calculate the activity/number of undecayed nuclei at a time, t, using half life or decay constant. To use logarithms in calculations and on graph axis. Explain how radioactivity leads to greater stability on the N-Z stability curve. Describe how the nuclear radius equation was derived from experiment. Explain the effect of mass defect on energy release using E=mc2 Describe the features of a fission reactor, including safety precautions needed for nuclear waste.	3.9 Option Module - Astrophysics Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of refracting and reflecting telescopes. Discuss aberration, resolution and quantum efficiency of various telescopes. Classify stars by luminosity, temperature and black body radiation, using the Hipparcos scale, Stefan’s law and Wien’s law. Use the Hertzsprung Russell diagram to explain the stages of the life cycle of a star. Describe the features of supernovae, neutron starts, quasars and black holes. Calculate the red shift of stellar objects from their observed light and using the Hubble law.

Spring 1

Spring 2

3.8 Nuclear Physics

Describe experiments to determine the type and the properties of α, β and γ (including inverse square properties).
Calculate the activity/number of undecayed nuclei at a time, t, using half life or decay constant.
To use logarithms in calculations and on graph axis.
Explain how radioactivity leads to greater stability on the N-Z stability curve.
Describe how the nuclear radius equation was derived from experiment.
Explain the effect of mass defect on energy release using E=mc2
Describe the features of a fission reactor, including safety precautions needed for nuclear waste.

3.9 Option Module - Astrophysics

Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of refracting and reflecting telescopes.
Discuss aberration, resolution and quantum efficiency of various telescopes.
Classify stars by luminosity, temperature and black body radiation, using the Hipparcos scale, Stefan’s law and Wien’s law.
Use the Hertzsprung Russell diagram to explain the stages of the life cycle of a star.
Describe the features of supernovae, neutron starts, quasars and black holes.
Calculate the red shift of stellar objects from their observed light and using the Hubble law.

Summer 1	Summer 2
Revision Revision of content and skills from throughout the A-level Physics course, with a focus on exam questions and application of knowledge to common and unusual scenarios. Lab books to be finalised and submitted to ensure a pass for the practical competencies of the course.	--

Summer 1

Summer 2

Revision

Revision of content and skills from throughout the A-level Physics course, with a focus on exam questions and application of knowledge to common and unusual scenarios.
Lab books to be finalised and submitted to ensure a pass for the practical competencies of the course.

All Year 13 Subjects