National 5 Physics

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 Course develops skills in scientific inquiry, investigation and analytical thinking, along with knowledge and understanding. Learners will gain an understanding of physics, and develop this through a variety of approaches, including practical activities.

Electricity and Energy  - covers conservation of energy, electrical charge carriers and electric fields, potential difference ,practical electrical and electronic circuits, Ohm’s Law, electrical power, specific heat capacity, gas laws and kineticodel

Waves and Radiation - covers wave parameters and behaviours, electromagnetic spectrum, light and nuclear radiation.

Dynamics and Space - covers velocity and displacement - vectors and scalars, velocity-time graphs, acceleration, Newton’s Laws, projectile motion, space exploration and cosmology.

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.

WHAT WILL MY HOME COMMITMENT BE FOR THIS COURSE?

Students can expect to be dong at least 1 1/2 hours of homework per week which will include the following:  Practical report writing,  Problem solving activities, Past paper revision

Is PHYSICS for 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.