Group 4: Physics

Physics and physical measurement: the realm of physics, measurement and uncertainties, vectors and scalars. Mechanics: kinematics, forces and dynamics, work energy and power, uniform circular motion. Thermal physics: thermal concepts, thermal properties of matter. Oscillations and Waves: kinematics of simple harmonic motion (SHM), energy changes during SHM, forced oscillations and resonance, wave characteristics, wave properties. Electric currents: electric potential difference, current and resistance. Fields and forces: gravitational force and field, electric force and field, magnetic force and field. Atomic and nuclear physics: the atom, radioactive decay, nuclear reactions, fission and fusion. Energy, power and climate change: energy degradation and power generation, world energy sources, fossil fuel power production, non-fossil fuel power production, greenhouse effect, global warming. And two options from: Sight and Wave Phenomena: The eye and sight, standing (stationary) waves, Doppler effect, diffraction, resolution, polarisation. Electromagnetic waves: Nature of EM waves and light sources, optical instruments, two-source interference of waves and diffraction grating. Quantum physics and nuclear physics: quantum physics, nuclear physics. Digital technology: Analogue signals, data capture, digital imaging using charge-coupled devices (CCDs), electronics and the mobile phone system. Astrophysics: introduction to the universe, stellar radiation and stellar types, stellar distances and cosmology. Relativity and particle physics: introduction to relativity, concepts and postulates of special relativity, relativistic kinematics, particles and interactions and quarks. Communications: Radio communication, digital signals, optic fibre transmission and channels of communication.