National 4 Physics is made up of 3 units and an internally assessed piece of coursework. 

The units are: 

Unit 1: Electricity and Energy

The Unit covers the key areas of generation of electricity, electrical power, electromagnetism, practical electrical and electronic circuits, gas laws and the kinetic model. Learners will research issues, apply scientific skills and communicate information related to their findings, which will develop skills of scientific literacy. 

Unit 2: Waves and Radiation

The Unit covers the key areas wave characteristics, sound, electromagnetic spectrum and nuclear radiation. Learners will research issues, apply scientific skills and communicate information related to their findings, which will develop skills of scientific literacy. 

Unit 3: Dynamics and Space

The Unit covers the key areas of speed and acceleration, relationships between forces, motion and energy, satellites and cosmology. Learners will research issues, apply scientific skills and communicate information related to their findings, which will develop skills of scientific literacy. 

Added Value Unit

In this Unit, learners will draw on and extend the skills they have learned from across the other Units, and demonstrate the breadth of knowledge and skills acquired, in unfamiliar contexts and/or integrated ways. 

Skills, knowledge and understanding

The following skills, knowledge and understanding are embedded within the National 4 course and will be assessed in the Units and Coursework element:

• demonstrating knowledge and understanding of physics by making statements, describing information and providing explanations  

• applying knowledge of physics to familiar situations, interpreting information and solving problems  

• planning and safely carrying out experiments/practical investigations to illustrate effects  

• using information handling skills by selecting, presenting and processing information  

• making predictions based on evidence/ information  

• drawing valid conclusions and giving explanations supported by evidence  

• suggesting improvements to experiments/practical investigations  

• communicating findings/information 

National 5 Physics is made up of 6 Topics. The course is assessed through an exam and an assignment (experiment write up). There will also be topic tests throughout to track your progress.

Topic 1: Dynamics

In this area, the topics covered are: vectors and scalars; velocity–time graphs; acceleration; Newton’s laws; energy; projectile motion. 

Topic 2: Space

In this area, the topics covered are: space exploration; cosmology. 

Topic 3: Electricity

In this area, the topics covered are: electrical charge carriers; potential difference (voltage); Ohm’s law; practical electrical and electronic circuits; electrical power. 

Topic 4: Properties of Matter

In this area, the topics covered are: specific heat capacity; specific latent heat; gas laws and the kinetic model. 

Topic 5: Waves

In this area, the topics covered are: wave parameters and behaviours; electromagnetic spectrum; refraction of light. 

Topic 6: Radiation

In this area, the topic covered is nuclear radiation.

Key Skills developed include;

• applying knowledge of physics to new situations, interpreting information and solving problems.

• planning or designing experiments to test given hypotheses or to illustrate particular effects, including safety measures.

• presenting information appropriately in a variety of forms.

• processing information (using calculations and units, where appropriate).

• evaluating experimental procedures.

Higher Physics comprises of 3 Units which will be assessed through an exam and makes up 80% of there total grade. The other 20% is based on an externally assessed Assignment task. There will be unit tests throughout the course to assess progress and develop exam technique. 

The 3 units are:

Unit 1: Our Dynamic Universe

The topics covered are:  

• motion — equations and graphs  

• forces, energy and power  

• collisions, explosions, and impulse  

• gravitation  

• special relativity  

• the expanding Universe 

Unit 2: Particles and waves 

The topics covered are:  

• forces on charged particles  

• the Standard Model  

• nuclear reactions  

• inverse square law  

• wave-particle duality  

• interference  

• spectra  

• refraction of light 

Unit 3: Electricity 

The topics covered are:  

• monitoring and measuring AC  

• current, potential difference, power, and resistance  

• electrical sources and internal resistance  

• capacitors  

• semiconductors and p-n junctions 

Skills, knowledge and understanding for the course 

The following provides a broad overview of the subject skills, knowledge and understanding developed in the course:  

• demonstrating knowledge and understanding of physics by making accurate statements  

• describing information, providing explanations and integrating knowledge  

• applying physics knowledge to new situations, interpreting information and solving problems  

• planning and designing experiments/practical investigations to test given hypotheses or to illustrate particular effects  

• carrying out experiments/practical investigations safely, recording detailed observations and collecting data  

• selecting information from a variety of sources  presenting information appropriately in a variety of forms  

• processing information (using calculations, significant figures and units, where appropriate)  

• making predictions from evidence/information  

• drawing valid conclusions and giving explanations supported by evidence/justification  

• quantifying sources of uncertainty  evaluating experimental procedures and suggesting improvements  

• communicating findings/information effectively 

The advanced higher course is made up of 4 areas of physics. The course is assessed through an exam and a project. There will also be topic tests throughout to track your progress.

Area 1: Rotational motion and Astrophysics

In this area, the topics covered are:  kinematic relationships, angular motion, rotational dynamics, gravitation, general relativity, and stellar physics.

Area 2: Quanta and Waves

In this area, the topics covered are: introduction to quantum theory, particles from space, simple harmonic motion, waves, interference, and polarisation. 

Area 3: Electromagnetism

In this area, the topics covered are: fields, circuits, electromagnetic radiation.

Area 4: Units, prefixes and uncertainties 

In this area, the topics covered are: units, prefixes and scientific notation, uncertainties, data analysis, and evaluation and significance of experimental uncertainties.

Project

The project at AH represents 25% of the overall mark for the course assessment. The purpose of the project is to allow the candidate to carry out an in-depth investigation of a physics topic and produce a project report. Candidates are required to plan and carry out three or four individual experiments centred around an area of physics commensurate with the demands of AH Physics. This is an open-ended task that may involve candidates carrying out a significant part of the work without supervision.  

Key Skills developed include;

• extending and applying knowledge of physics to new situations, interpreting and analysing information to solve complex problems.

• planning and designing physics experiments/investigations, using reference material and including risk assessments, to test a hypothesis or to illustrate particular effects.

• carrying out complex experiments in physics safely, recording systematic detailed observations and collecting data.

• communicating physics findings/information fully and effectively.