Course information and essential equipment

This class meets twice a week.

The approved syllabus is almost entirely covered by the designated textbook. Nick England Physics Matters 3^rd Edition Hodder and Stoughton (2001) ISBN 0-340-79054-7.  The main topics are:

Students therefore base their work on the textbook chapters but not in the printed order. For each topic, readings of the textbook are identified and comprehension exercises on these are set together with simple calculations. Key word (glossary) lists are completed together in class containing descriptions, explanations, definitions, units, symbols, whether vector or scalar, and formulas, as appropriate. This obviates the need for many notes. Some experiments are conducted by the students but time and apparatus are short for these. I perform demonstrations of some phenomena and the students consider thought experiments too. Extensive use of analogies, context-based learning and applications of science is made, along with guided discussion. Examples are done on the blackboard so that presentation, techniques and logic can be discussed. Problems are set from almost all exercises in the textbook and “question clinics” held before work is taken in. Experimental write-ups and other written assignments will be set too. Marking criteria are made explicit to students sometimes with the help of exemplar/specimen solutions. At various points during the course, linkage is made to other subjects as part of our transversal themes programme. For example, we discuss energy and environmental policy, and touch on historical, social, moral and philosophical issues of science.

If time permits light-hearted activities are sometimes set at the end of terms such as “egg-race” activities in which physics is applied in open ended problem solving situations. Relevant videos relating to applications of physics may also be viewed.

Students who require more personal support are requested to attend support classes and “drop in clinics” during lunch hours. A packed lunch is most convenient for this. Attendance is made compulsory in certain cases.

Homework and assignments must be completed on time. These should be headed with the name, the date, a title and the class code. Overlooking this and poor presentation will lose marks. Failure to show calculations and failure to include units in answers will lose marks. Late work (unless due to authorised absence) will be marked then multiplied by 0.7 i.e., a grade 10 becomes a 7. If your son or daughter is absent it is their responsibility to find out about and complete missed work and hand it in with a supporting note from their parents. All assignments whether students were absent or not, contribute to final grades. Deadline dates should be filled in as soon as we agree them.

Please do not encourage or allow your son or daughter to dispose of all his or her at the ends of year 4, 5, 6, (or 7 if they are doing a technological subject in HE) – they will need them during the following year(s)!

Materials:

Please ensure that your son or daughter obtains and bring to every class: