Physics S3/S4

Physics Standard Grade (General/Credit)
Physics Intermediate 1 and Access 3 Level

Physics Standard Grade (General/Credit)

Physics lies at the heart of all science, all engineering and much of our everyday lives.
Physics helps explain everything in our world and beyond.
Physics involves living and non-living things.
Physics is fun.

A knowledge and understanding of Physics is necessary to...

produce weather forecasts
test and improve our hearing and eyesight
study how animals communicate
build quiet, efficient and safe vehicles
set up satellite communications
take scans of the human body and keep us healthy
harness energy of all kinds
solve crimes
date archaeological remains
understand so many other things which affect your life, every day

When you study Physics

The seven topics you will study are:

Telecommunications	Electricity	Health Physics
Space Physics	Electronics	Transport
	Energy

You will be assessed on Knowledge and Understanding and Problem Solving by sitting an exam at the end of each topic and a final exam at the end of your fourth year. The exams will be at General and Credit levels.

Your Practical Abilities will be assessed in class when you carry out investigations and complete eight practical tasks (techniques).

Your final grade will be calculated from your final exam marks and your practical abilities mark.

Physics Intermediate & Access (Intermediate Level 1 & Access Level 3)

What you can expect from the course?

The content of the course will help to make you aware of the applications of physics to everyday life.

Both Access 3 and Intermediate 1 follow the same course but the Intermediate work will be more demanding.

What is expected from you?

You will be able to achieve the standards according to your ability and the amount of work you are prepared to do. Most of the work will be done in class but you will be expected regularly to carry tasks at home and also to revise for tests.

Assessment

You will sit a test at the end of each unit of work.
For Intermediate 1 students there is a final exam at the end of the course in fourth year. This final exam will enable you to be awarded passes at A, B or C.

Content of the Course

Unit 1 Telecommunications
Radio, television, Satellites, Optical Fibres, Telephone

Unit 2 Practical Electricity
Electrical circuits, Resistance, Mains Electricity

Unit 3 Radiations
Light, X-Rays, Gamma rays, Infrared and ultraviolet

Unit 4 Sound and Music
Sound waves, Speed of sound, using sound, amplified sound.

Unit 5 Movement
Forces, Speed, Acceleration, Moving Objects

Unit 6 Electronics
Input, Process and output, Digital logic gates