GCSE Physics

Physics (GCSE)
Physics looks at the natural happenings in today's world. The course involves carrying out some experiments, learning the underlying theory, problem solving and watching demonstrations of experiments.

Unit 1: heat energy, energy sources, radioactivity, electrical activity and waves. You will find out how heat energy moves from one place to another and how to calculate the cost of running a computer for 24 hours. You will also find out how the demands for electrical energy in the 21st century will be met from other sources and how we think the universe was created.

Unit 2: the motion of an object, static and current electricity, nuclear fission and fusion and car safety. You will study the meaning of terms such as velocity, acceleration, forces and momentum, work out the stopping distance of a car travelling with a particular velocity and understand how an atomic bomb works.

Unit 3: stability of objects, motion in a circle, lenses and mirrors, sound and ultrasound, motors and generators and the life history of stars. You will find out how ultrasound is used in a hospital and why vases tend to have wide bases and narrow necks. You should understand how a camera works and how the Sun has developed since its birth.

Coursework

You will carry out practical work within certain particular areas of the specification.

Assessment

Three-quarters of the course is assessed by examination, the remainder by coursework.