Physics Triple Autumn Term

Forces; Forces are all around us, all the time and are responsible for everything that moves but not all of them are obvious. There are contact forces produced when two objects are touching and non contact forces which are generated by field interactions. One of the most difficult concepts to grasp is how forces operate when there is no gravitational field present such as in space. Here the true nature of forces can be understood but this is not a familiar environment as we are so used to living within Earth's gravity. This unit begins by looking at scalars and vectors, magnitude and direction to explain  why all forces are vectors. It then explains how forces in different directions are resolved. Concepts of work done are then explained along with gravitational field strength and the subtle difference between weight and mass. The combined part of the unit concludes with Hooke's Law and the elastic nature of springs. 

Waves; Knowledge of waves is essential for any progress in science as they describe the ways that light and sound are transmitted. Waves convey only energy, not matter and in the case of electromagnetic waves they can travel in a vacuum. Before going on to such advanced concepts, learners must be able to understand what waves are, the differences between transverse and longitudinal waves and the different parts of a wave. This leads to calculations for wave speed using frequency and wavelength which have many important practical uses. The unit concludes with a practical activity in which learners must obtain data from waves and use this to calculate their speed, consolidating all that they have learned in the unit. 

Magnets; Learners build upon their knowledge of magnets and electromagnets from KS3. They start the unit recapping what they have previously learned about magnets (magnetic poles, magnetic materials and magnetic fields), before looking at the materials needed to make electromagnets, what factors increase the strength of electromagnets and the everyday uses of electromagnets. There is opportunity here for learners to make their own electromagnets and investigate how they can increase the strength of their electromagnets. Using what they now know about electromagnets, learners start to discover what is meant by the Motor Effect (with calculations), the variables needed for a motor to work and how motors can be reversed or their speed increased.

Forces, waves and magnets 

End of unit assessment will consist of a 40 mark test

Midway assessment set by class teacher which could be an exam question

Learners will receive guidance in a variety of ways.  These include marked assessments, reports, feedback in books, 1:1 interaction, Google Classroom.