WHAT IS PHYSICS?

Physics is the quest to understand the workings of our amazing universe: from the unimaginably tiny particles that make up everything around us to the mind-boggling enormity of space. It is also the subject which lies at the heart of engineering, technology and computer science.

What's the fastest speed you could ever travel? How did our Sun form? How do mobile phones work? Why does the sky look red at sunset? How does radiotherapy work? All of these questions and many more can be answered using basic physics ideas.

Simply put, if you understand physics, you understand everything!

MEMBERS OF DEPARTMENT

Simon Rhodes, Head of Physics

Joined HCS in 2004 after teaching for 2 years at John Beddoes School, Powys.

Gained his first degree in Materials Science and Engineering at Liverpool University and a Ph.D in Biomaterials at Royal Liverpool University Hospital. Worked for 5 years in industry as a metallurgist and a production manager.

Chris Jones

Joined HCS in 2010 from Hereford Sixth Form College. Studied at Exeter University, obtaining a degree in physics and a Ph.D. in Semiconductor physics. Worked for two years as a research scientist at GEC Marconi Materials technology, then went on to do a PGCE at the University of Oxford.

Christine Morris

 Joined the department as our technician in 2004. She had 10 years experience as a laboratory technician in industry, and 15 years working in a family business. She gained a BSc (Hons) degree in Science from the Open University in 2003.

Year 8 topics

We are keen to introduce you to a variety of fun and interesting topics in year 8. You will learn about the physics behind the Fosbury Flop high jump and why Formula 1 cars are so stable. You will find out how to make and test a fruit battery and how to build simple electric circuits. You will learn about why things expand when heated, and how to make a heat-activated switch. You will discover how electricity is generated by power stations, by wind turbines and by solar cells. You will learn about pressure, and why scuba divers must be very careful when coming up to the surface. Finally, you will find out what energy is, and why it is such an important idea across all the sciences.

Year 9 topics

As a student of Physics in year 9 you will be exposed to a wide range of topics which are designed, not only to keep you excited and interested , but also to make a start on your GCSE in Science. You will study magnetism and find out about the Earth's magnetic field. You will learn about density and how to work out whether something will float or sink. You will study the physics of earthquake waves, the theory of plate tectonics, and find out what it's like deep within the Earth. You will learn more about our solar system, our galaxy and the Universe, and about how basic optical instruments like cameras and telescopes work. 

Practical work is an important element of the course. In the Magnetism topic you can compete with your friends to see who can build the strongest electromagnet; build your own electric motor – from scratch! You will  investigate a pinhole camera and build a telescope in the Light and Optics topic as well as use a laser to explore the way light travels through transparent materials. In the Waves topic you can discover how water waves behave by observing them in  wave-tanks. 

GCSE physics (year 10 and 11)

For GCSE, about half our pupils study the two-year GCSE physics course (OCR twenty first century physics). The other half study physics as part of the AQA science GCSE course in year 10 and the AQA Additional science GCSE course in year 11. The topics for both courses are shown below

OCR Twenty First Century physics topics

P1: The Earth in the Universe

P2: Radiation and Life

P3: Sustainable Energy

P4: Explaining Motion

P5: Electric Circuits

P6: Radioactive Materials

P7: Studying the Universe

AQA Science - Physics Topics

Heating and Cooling

Using electrical appliances

Generating electricity

Renewable and non-renewable resources

Properties of Waves: Light and Sound

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

The Expanding Universe

AQA Additional Science - Physics Topics

Forces and Motion

Electric Circuits

Mains Electricity

Radioactivity

Nuclear fission and fusion

Advanced Level Physics 

We study the OCR Advancing Physics specification at AS and A2 level

AS Physics topics

Communication

Designer Materials

Waves and Quantum Behaviour

Space and Time

A2 Physics topics

Models and Rules

Matter in Extremes

Fields

Fundamental particles of matter

SECONDARY DATA FOR OCR PHYSICS INVESTIGATION COURSEWORK 2012

(1) EXPERIMENT to investigate the output from an LDR when a light source is moved a greater distance . Note V_out measured across the LDR

(2) Experiment to investigate the voltage output around an ldr in a potential divider circuit when light intensity is varied. Note V_out measured across the LDR

(3) Thermistor potential divider experiment

(4) Typical resistances of LDR: In bright light, R is approximately 100 Ω. In darkness R is approximately 100 kΩ.

(5) Typical resistances of a thermistor: At room temperature, R is approximately 500 Ω. At 100°C R is approximately 100 Ω.

 EXPERIMENT REFERENCES

http://www.softwareforeducation.com/wikileki/index.php?title=LDR

http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/resistor/res_3.html

http://www.electronics-lab.com/blog/?tag=thermistor

http://www.mstarlabs.com/sensors/thermistor-calibration.html