Course Content Information
The Higher Physics curriculum builds on the previous knowledge held by pupils and gives them an opportunity think analytically and make reasoned evaluations. The course requires pupils to apply their knowledge to evaluate physics related issues and develop an informed ethical view of complex issues. This course naturally arouses the interest of pupils and is delivered using an investigative approach to develop knowledge and skills. The 3 units and their respective key areas are detailed below:
Our Dynamic Universe
- Motion
- Forces, energy and power
- Collisions, explosions and impulse
- Gravitation
- Special relativity
- The expanding universe
Particles and Waves
- Forces on charged particles
- The standard model
- Nuclear reactions
- Inverse square law
- Wave-particle duality
- Interference
- Spectra
- Refraction of light
Electricity
- Monitoring and measuring AC
- Current, potential difference, power and resistance
- Electrical sources and internal resistance
- Capacitors
- Semiconductors and p-n junctions
Course Assessment Information
This course assessment structure for this course is dictated by the SQA. There are two parts to this assessment structure:
- Assignment – this written piece of work is completed under controlled conditions and is worth 20 marks and through scaling represents 20% of the pupils overall grade. The assignment assess the application of skills of scientific enquiry and related Physics knowledge and understanding.
- Exam – The purpose of the exam paper is to assess breadth, challenge, and application of skills, knowledge and understanding from across the course. This question paper is sat under exam conditions and is worth 155 marks. This contributes 80% to the overall marks for the course assessment.
SQA Course Information
Detailed course specifications and understanding standards materials can be accessed from the Higher Physics SQA site
