Higher Physics

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

A pass at National 5 Physics A or B is highly recommended.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Physicists play a key role in meeting society’s needs in areas such as renewable sustainable energy and its environmental impact, new technology developments in transport, engineering, computing and gaming, leisure and industry. As the importance and application of Physics continues to grow and develop, more awareness of the influence and impact of Physics will be required.

The skills of scientific inquiry and investigation are developed throughout the course, and the relevance of physics is highlighted by the study of the applications of physics in everyday contexts. The units are;

Our Dynamic Universe – includes kinematics, dynamics, forces and energy, collisions and explosions, gravitation, space-time and the expanding universe.

Particles and Waves – includes the standard model, forces on charged particles, nuclear reactions, interference and diffraction and spectra.

Electricity – includes current, potential difference, power, resistance, measuring a.c, internal resistance, capacitors, conductors, semi-conductors and insulators.

Researching Physics –the general aim of the unit is to develop skills relevant to undertaking research in physics.

Assessment

An internally assessed prelim exam will be undertaken at the end of January. An assignment from a topic covered in the course will be completed by early March and an external exam sat in May. The externally marked assignment and external exam will be used to award a final grade for the course.

WHAT WILL MY HOME COMMITMENT BE FOR THIS COURSE?

 Students can expect to be dong at least 2 hours of homework per week which will include the following:  Practical report writing,  Problem solving activities, Past paper revision

Is PHYSICSfor me? 

 You will enjoy this subject if: 

· You ask questions about what the world around us is really like, for example, what is light made of?

· You wonder where the evidence is that supports the claims made by physicists, for example how do we know the Universe is expanding?

· You like to communicate in a concise and logical way.  

· You would like a deeper understanding of how technology can be used to solve the many problems that exist in our world, for example, reducing energy poverty.