Physics - Advanced Higher

Our Lady and St Particks High School

The course content includes the following areas of physics:

Rotational motion and astrophysics

The topics covered are:

• kinematic relationships
• angular motion
• rotational dynamics
• gravitation
• general relativity
• stellar physics

Quanta and waves

The topics covered are:

• introduction to quantum theory
• particles from space
• simple harmonic motion
• waves
• interference
• polarisation

Electromagnetism

The topics covered are:

• fields
• circuits
• electromagnetic radiation

Units, prefixes and uncertainties

The topics covered are:

• units, prefixes and scientific notation
• uncertainties
• data analysis
• evaluation and significance of experimental uncertainties

Question Paper

The question paper has 155 marks. This is scaled by SQA to represent 75% of the overall marks for the course assessment.

The question paper contains restricted-response and extended-response questions.

A data sheet and a relationships sheet are provided.

The majority of the marks are awarded for applying knowledge and understanding. The other marks are awarded for applying skills of scientific inquiry, scientific analytical thinking and problem solving.

The question paper gives candidates an opportunity to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and understanding:

• making accurate statements
• providing descriptions and explanations and integrating knowledge
• applying knowledge of physics to new situations, interpreting information and solving problems
• planning or designing experiments/investigations, including safety measures, to test given hypothesis or to illustrate given effects
• selecting information from a variety of sources
• presenting information appropriately, in a variety of forms
• processing information/data (using calculations, significant figures and units, where appropriate)
• making predictions based on evidence/information
• drawing valid conclusions and giving explanations supported by evidence/justification
• identifying sources of uncertainty and suggesting improvements to experiments

Project

The project has 30 marks. This is scaled by SQA to represent 25% of the overall marks 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 a physics investigation. Candidates should keep a record of their work (daybook) as this will form the basis of their project report. This record should include details of their research, experiments and recorded data.

The project assesses the application of skills of scientific inquiry and related physics knowledge and understanding. It gives candidates an opportunity to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and understanding:

• extending and applying knowledge of physics to new situations, interpreting and analysing information to solve more complex problems
• planning and designing physics experiments/investigations, using reference material, to test a hypothesis or to illustrate particular effects
• recording systematic detailed observations and collecting data
• selecting information from a variety of sources
• presenting detailed information appropriately in a variety of forms
• processing and analysing physics data (using calculations, significant figures and units, where appropriate)
• making reasoned predictions from a range of evidence/information
• drawing valid conclusions and giving explanations supported by evidence/justification
• critically evaluating experimental procedures by identifying sources of uncertainty, and suggesting and implementing improvements
• drawing on knowledge and understanding of physics to make accurate statements, describe complex information, provide detailed explanations, and integrate knowledge
• communicating physics findings/information fully and effectively
• analysing and evaluating scientific publications and media reports

Project overview

Candidates carry out an in-depth investigation of a physics topic. Candidates choose their topic and individually investigate/research its underlying physics. Candidates must discuss potential topics with their teacher and/or lecturer to ensure that they do not waste time researching unsuitable topics. This is an open-ended task that may involve candidates carrying out a significant part of the work without supervision.

Throughout the project candidates work autonomously, making independent and rational decisions based on evidence and interpretation of scientific information, which involves analysing and evaluating results. Through this, candidates further develop and enhance their scientific literacy skills.

The project offers challenge by requiring candidates to apply skills, knowledge and understanding in a context that is one or more of the following:

• unfamiliar
• familiar but investigated in greater depth
• integrating a number of familiar contexts

Candidates will produce a project report that has a logical structure.