In S1 Science pupils will be introduced to Physics in the following topics

Finding a Planet where pupils will study our solar system and beyond and be introduced to concepts of gravity, weight, speed, distance and time.

Visible and Beyond where pupils will be introduced to the behaviour of waves and light including the concepts of reflection and refraction. They will also study the different parts of the Electromagnetic spectrum.

Homework will be given regularly and can be verbal, research tasks or written formal homework. This will be at the discretion of each classroom teacher however there are usually 3 written homeworks per unit.

In S2 pupils in BGE Science will continue to be introduced to Physics in the following units.

Electricity - Pupils will learn about basic electrical components and build series and parallel circuits. They will also be introduced to the concepts of current, voltage and resistance. Pupils will also write a scientific report on an experiment.

Dynamics - Pupils will learn about speed and acceleration. They will also study forces such as friction and be introduced to Newton's Laws of motion.

Homework will be given regularly and can be verbal, research tasks or written formal homework. This will be at the discretion of each classroom teacher however there are usually 3 written homeworks per unit.

S3 Physics Course Information

Welcome to the S3 Physics page. In S3, students will build a foundation in key areas of physics, preparing them for further study in the senior phase.

Course Outline

The S3 Physics course is divided into two main units:

• Waves and Radiation

  • Students will begin by exploring wave characteristics, including scientific notation and prefixes, transverse and longitudinal waves, amplitude and wavelength, frequency and period, and wave speed.

  • The course will also cover the wave equation, diffraction, refraction, and sound waves, including a speed of sound experiment, echo problems, sound levels, and noise cancellation.

  • The Electromagnetic (EM) Spectrum will be studied, focusing on sources, detectors, applications, speed, frequency, wavelength, and risks.

  • The unit concludes with Nuclear Radiation, covering the structure of the atom, ionisation, alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, activity, background radiation, biological effects, safety precautions and limits, equations for absorbed dose, equivalent dose and equivalent dose rate, half-life, and applications of nuclear radiation, including fission and fusion reactions and the workings of a nuclear reactor.

• Dynamics and Space

  • This unit starts with vectors and scalars, covering definitions, examples, and vector addition (displacement, velocity, and forces).

  • Students will learn about average speed, instantaneous speed, average velocity, and acceleration.

  • Velocity-time graphs will be analysed to describe motion, sketch graphs, and calculate acceleration and distance travelled.

  • The unit finishes with Newton’s Laws: 1st Law (balanced forces and constant speed), friction, 2nd Law (unbalanced forces and resultant forces), rocket launch, and 3rd Law (Newton pairs, free fall and terminal velocity). Key equations such as F=ma, W=mg, and Ew=Fd will be included.

Assessment

Students will undertake assessments throughout the course, including unit assessments at National 4 and National 5 levels, and Learning Outcome 1 assessments. There will also be mid-topic tests and regular homework.

Assessment in S3 Physics can also be used in gaining a Science group award in the Senior Phase.

S4 Physics National 4 Course Information

Welcome to the S4 Physics page, where students are working towards the National 4 qualification. This course aims to provide a broad foundation in physics, developing essential skills and knowledge.

Course Outline

The course is divided into the following key units and builds on the work covered in the S3 course

• Satellites: This unit covers the height, period, uses, and geostationary properties of satellites, including parabolic reflectors and calculations involving satellite signals. We also explore the risks and benefits of space travel, and the challenges of re-entry and thermal protection systems.

• Cosmology: Students will gain an understanding of the scale of the solar system, using light-years, and will explore space exploration and its impact on our understanding of the universe. The search for exoplanets and the conditions for sustaining life are also discussed.

• Electricity and Energy: This section focuses on the generation of electricity, comparing renewable and non-renewable power stations, and examining energy efficiency and distribution via the National Grid. Energy transformations and the basic components of a power station are also covered.

• Electrical Power: Students will learn about the definition of power (P=E/t) and apply this to compare the power consumption of various appliances and perform energy efficiency calculations.

• Electromagnetism: This unit explores magnetic field patterns, the magnetic effects of electricity, and the parts and practical applications of electromagnets. Transformers and their equations are also included.

• Electrical and Electronic Circuits: Key topics include Ohm’s Law, series and parallel circuits, meter connections, and the rules for current, voltage, and resistance. Students will also gain knowledge of electrical components, symbols, energy changes, and the uses of analogue and digital input/output devices and logic gates.

• Gas Laws and Kinetic Model: The final unit covers the kinetic model of a gas and its applications, including the effects of changes in temperature, volume, and pressure.

Assessment

The course includes regular homework assignments and assessments, including Unit Assessments (UASPs).

In order to gain a full award in National 4 Physics students have to gain at least 50% in 3 unit assessments (UASPs).

They also have to complete an experimental report in the form of a Learning Outcome 1 and an Added Value unit (AVU). 

S4 Physics National 5 Course Information

Welcome to the S4 Physics page, where students are working towards the National 5 qualification. This course builds upon the foundations of physics, developing problem-solving skills and scientific literacy.

Course Outline

The course is divided into the following key units:

• Energy: Students will explore the law of conservation of energy, gravitational potential energy (Ep = mgh), kinetic energy (Ek = ½ mv2), and the concepts of work done and friction (Ew = Fd).

• Projectile Motion: This unit covers the explanation of projectile motion, the shape of projectile travel, and related problem-solving. Newton’s thought experiment and satellite prediction are also included.

• Satellites: Students will learn about the height and period of satellites, geostationary satellites, and the uses and benefits of satellites.

• Space Exploration: This section defines stellar objects and explores the challenges of space travel, including ion drives, slingshot maneuvers, life support systems, and energy considerations. The risks of manned space exploration, such as fuel load, radiation exposure, and re-entry to Earth’s atmosphere, are also examined.

• Cosmology: Students will study the definition of a light-year, problems related to it, and the description of the Big Bang theory, including the origin and age of the universe.

• Electricity: Key topics include electric charge carriers, the definition of current (Q = It), AC and DC current, potential difference, and electric fields. Ohm’s Law and the relationship between temperature and resistance are also covered.

• Electrical and Electronic Circuits: Students will learn about circuit components, symbols, functions, and applications, as well as series and parallel circuits and voltage dividers. Switching circuits involving thermistors, LDRs, NPN transistors, and MOSFETs are also included.

• Electrical Power: This unit covers the definition and equations for electrical power (E = Pt, P = IV, P = I2R, P = V2/R) and the role of fuses and power ratings.

• Heat Energy: Students will explore specific heat capacity and specific latent heat of fusion and vaporization.

• Gas Laws and Kinetic Model: The final unit covers pressure, the kinetic model of a gas, the Kelvin temperature scale, and Gay-Lussac’s Law, Charles’s Law, Boyle’s Law, and the combined gas equation.

Assessment

The course includes regular homework assignments, unit assessments (UASPs), a mid-topic test and an assignment. 

An award in National 5 Physics is based on an external exam which account for 80% of the full award and an assignment which accounts for 20%.

Welcome to the Higher Physics page. This course provides a deeper understanding of physics principles and develops advanced problem-solving and analytical skills.

Course Outline

The course is divided into three main units:

• Particles and Waves: This unit covers uncertainties, the Standard Model, forces on charged particles, nuclear reactions, wave-particle duality, spectra, irradiance, refraction, and interference.

• Electricity: Students will explore monitoring and measuring AC, recap National 5 electricity concepts, and delve into electrical sources and internal resistance, capacitors, and semiconductors.

• Our Dynamic Universe: This unit covers motion (equations and graphs), vector addition, projectiles, forces, energy, power, momentum, impulse, gravitation, special relativity, and the expanding universe.

Assessment

The course includes regular homework assignments, mid-topic tests, unit assessments (UASPs), and revisions.

The award in Higher Physics is based on an external exam which accounts for 80% of the final award and an assignment which accounts for 20%.

The National 5 Practical Electronics course has three areas of study. 

Circuit design In this area, candidates develop an understanding of key electrical concepts and electronic components. Candidates analyse electronic problems, design solutions to these problems and explore issues relating to electronics. 

Circuit simulation In this area, candidates use simulation software to assist in the design, construction and testing of circuits and systems and to investigate their behaviour.

Circuit construction In this area, candidates gain experience in assembling a range of electronic circuits, using permanent and non-permanent methods. They develop skills in practical wiring and assembly techniques, carrying out testing and evaluating functionality. 

Skills, knowledge and understanding for the course 

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

awareness of safe working practices in electronics 

analysing electronic problems and designing solutions to these problems 

simulating, testing and evaluating solutions to electronic problems  

skills in using a range of test equipment  

constructing electronic circuits using permanent (soldering) and non-permanent methods  

knowledge and understanding of the systems approach to electronics, including sub-systems  

knowledge and understanding of the use of concepts and principles associated with a range of electronic and electromagnetic components and circuits  

knowledge and understanding of combinational logic  

understanding of key electrical concepts — current, voltage, resistance, power, analogue/digital, capacitance, magnetic effect of current  

applying electronic knowledge and skills in a range of contexts 

The full award in Practical Electronics is based on an external exam which accounts for 30% of the award and a practical assignment which accounts for 70% of the award.