Physics

Level 2 Physics

Contact Information:

HOD - Mr Hicks, TIC - Miss Thompson

Course Information:

What is the Physical World?

The Level 2 Physical World course engages students in critical thinking and problem solving skills to enable them to answer questions such as why is the sky blue yet turns red during a sunrise?

This academic course delves into the Physical World concepts of Mechanics, Electricity, Light and Waves. It helps to prepare them for the Level 3 Physical World course in the following year and to apply their learned knowledge into new practical and theoretical situations

The recommendation is this course is chosen alongside the MAT202 course to build on skills and knowledge learnt across both Curriculum strands.

For more information go to the Science Department Website

Topics Include:

Demonstrate an understanding of Mechanical Systems

• Motion: vectors, kinematics, motion under gravity, projectile motion, circular motion
• Forces: Newton’s Laws, torque, equilibrium, Force and spring extensions
• Momentum and Energy: momentum, impulse and forces, conservation of momentum and energy, work, power, types of energy

Demonstrate an understanding of electrical systems

• Static Electricity: uniform electric fields, electric field strength, electric potential energy, work done on a charge in a moving electric field
• DC electricity: parallel circuits with resistors, circuit diagrams, voltage, current, resistance, energy, power
• Electromagnetism: force on a current carrying conductor in a magnetic field, force on charge particles, induced voltage generated across a straight conductor

Demonstrate an understanding of waves systems

• Light: reflection in curved mirrors, refraction through lenses, refraction, total internal reflection
• Waves: reflection and refraction at plane boundaries, diffraction, interference

Demonstrate an understanding of atomic and nuclear physics

• Models of atoms, gold foil experiment, nuclear transformations with radioactive decay and fission/fusion, products of nuclear transformation

Prerequisite:

12 Credits in Level 1 Science, including 4 credits from the Level 1 Mechanics External examination

4 Credits in Level 1 Algebra from Mathematics (MCAT or Internal)

Next steps:

Some of the many possible careers pathways for students who study the Physical World up into Level 3 are architecture, aviation, engineering, information technology, military officers, Health Science, space research and exploration.

Course Contributions:

There are no course contributions for this course