S3 and S4 Physics
Learning Experiences:
- By the end of S4, learners will develop knowledge and skills, and carry out practical and other learning activities related to the following broad areas:-
Dynamics and Space
This unit will focus mainly on relationships involving forces.
At the end pupils will have an understanding of scalars, vectors, displacement, Newtonian physics, integration of graphs and analysis of data using both Pythagoras and trigonometry. You will be able to distinguish between average and instantaneous speed and apply the appropriate formulae.
The Solar system and its explaration plus calculations involving specific heat capacity and latant heats.
Waves and Radiations
In this unit you will learn about wave parameters and behaviours being able to distinguish between longitudinal and transverse waves and detrmine their properties such as wavelength, frequency and amplitude.
You will learn about, diffraction and its uses, refraction, and critical angle and uses trigonometry to calculate refractive indexes and the speed of light in different media.
Yoy will learn about nuclear reactions and be able to carry out calculations involving half-life, determine the decay products and use Einsteins equation.
You will be able to distinguish between activity, dose equivalence and absorbed dose and carry out the appropriate calculations for alpha, beta and gamma sources.
Electricity and Energy
The sources and uses of heat energy and electrical energy in our society.
This unit will focus on concepts in electricity, electronics and heat.
You will study the structure of the atom to learn about electrical charge and you will determine the definition of potential difference applied to charge.
The properties of series and parallel circuits as regards p.d. , current and resistance will be determined and used in calculations as will various relationships regarding power and transformer calculations.
The kinetic theory of matter will be extended into the gas laws (Boyles and Charles) and as such the ability to use the Kelvin scale of temperature will be vital , you will also learn how to determine and calculate gas pressure.
