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Salesian College Physics
Department
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General information
Physics is taught as separate subject from Year 7 to A-Level in two laboratories, both of which were completely refurbished in
2003. The labs are equipped with networked computers, interactive
whiteboards and
DVD players, and ICT is routinely used with classes to aid teaching and
learning. Adjacent to Physics1, the Senior Physics Lab, there is a Private Study and
Tuition Room, Physics3, which is furnished with a suite of 10 networked computers
and a colour laser printer, and is mainly used by
GCSE and A-Level Physics students. In addition,
the department boasts a fully equipped Prep Room
and an office area.
Physics Staff
Physics is taught by specialist, highly-qualified staff:
the Head of Department is Mr Matthew Campbell BSc(Hons)
(Geophysical
Science), University of Southampton; PCGE (Physics and Science), University of
Southampton. Physics is also taught by Mr Hugh Williams, MA University of Oxford
(Physics); MSc (Chemical Crystallography), University of Surrey; M.Phil. (Roman
Archaeology) University of Reading; PGCE (Physics and Mathematics) University of
Oxford and Mr Neil Raftery, BEng(Hons) (Physical Electronic
Engineering), Lancaster University; MSc (Microelectronic Systems Design),
Brunel University; QTS. Teaching is supported by our highly
efficient and organised Physics Laboratory Technician Mrs Susan Styles,
BEng(Hons)
(Mechanical & Optical Engineering), Loughborough University.
Physics Results
Over many years the Department has achieved excellent
examination results, and students have won awards in the A Level British
Physics Olympiad, the AS Physics Competition and the GCSE Physics Challenge. Many students progress to
read Physics-related courses at top universities.
GCSE Results - the last 3
years
| |
A* |
A |
B |
C |
A* to C |
| 2009 |
11 |
23 |
19 |
9 |
62 |
| 17.5% |
36.5% |
30.2% |
14.3% |
98.4% |
| 2008 |
20 |
26 |
15 |
14 |
75 |
| 25.6% |
33.3% |
19.2% |
17.9% |
96.2% |
| 2007 |
5 |
23 |
20 |
13 |
61 |
| 7.4% |
33.8% |
29.4% |
19.1% |
89.7% |
A Level Results - the last 3
years
| |
A |
B |
C |
A to C |
| 2009 |
6 |
5 |
1 |
12 |
| 40.0% |
33.3% |
6.7% |
80.0% |
| 2008 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
| 33.3% |
11.1% |
22.2% |
66.7% |
| 2007 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
| 25.0% |
37.5% |
12.5% |
75.0% |
Key Stage 3 (KS3) information
In Years 7, 8 and 9 the boys have one hour period of
Physics per week with homework.
In Year 7, the boys study the following topics:
Measurement and units
Forces and matter
Solar System
Energy resources
Electrical circuits.
In Year 8, the boys study:
Heat and temperature
Light and
Sound
Magnets and electromagnetism.
In Year 9, all boys study the
Pressure and moments topic and then begin working towards module P1 of the
Edexcel
360Science GCSE Physics course:
P1A
Producing and measuring electricity - electric current,
generating electricity, voltage and resistance, LDRs and thermistors, batteries,
new technology and the modern world.
You’re in charge - electric motors, power, energy, efficiency, paying
for electricity, electrical safety, energy from new technology.
Key Stage 4 (GCSE) information
In Years 10 and 11 the boys have 2 one-hour periods per
week and one homework.
In Year 10 the boys continue to study for the P1 module
exam which is sat in Year 10, and begin module P2.
In Year 11 the boys complete module P2 and P3.
P1B
Now you see it, now you don’t - waves, reflection, refraction,
electromagnetic waves, seismic waves, digital technology.
Space and its mysteries - the Solar System, the Universe, space flight,
forces, gravity, mass and weight, the life-cycle of stars, remote sensing in
space, the search for life, the origins of the Universe, the future of the
Universe.
P2
As fast as you can - speed, velocity, acceleration, velocity-time
graphs, forces, friction, terminal velocity, F=ma, stopping distances, car
safety, taking risks.
Roller coasters and relativity - work, kinetic energy, electrical and
potential energy, conservation of energy, power, circular motion, roller
coasters, Einstein's relativity.
Putting radiation to use - ionising radiation, background radiation, atomic
structure, half-life, uses of ionising radiation, radioactive dating,
radioactivity safety.
Power of the atom - splitting the atom, nuclear power, nuclear fusion,
static electricity.
P3
Particles in action - kinetic theory, temperature and pressure in
gases, particles in atoms, fundamental and other particles, electron
beams.
Medical Physics - total internal reflection, uses of TIR, work, power and
energy, energy and metabolic rate, electricity and the body, intensity of
radiation, nuclear bombardment, momentum conservation, medical uses of
radiation, medical research.
P1 topics are assessed by 2 multiple choice tests (20%)
P2 topics are assessed by multiple choice test and structured examination paper
(20%)
Internal assessment activities and practical skills assessment of P1 and P2
topics (30%)
P3 assessed by structured examination paper (30%)
The GCSE Physics 360Science
specification can be downloaded from the
Edexcel
website  (requires Adobe®
Reader® ).
Key Stage 5 (AS & A-Level) information
From September 2008 we follow the new A-Level
Specification from Edexcel, which follows on from Edexcel 360Science GCSE
Physics.
The AS level is split into 3 units:
Unit 1 - Physics to Go
This unit covers mechanics and materials. You will study the laws,
theories and models of physics and then their practical applications. Topics
include rectilinear motion, forces, energy and power, the flow of liquids,
viscosity, Stoke's law, properties of materials, Hooke's law, Young's modulus
and elastic strain energy.
Unit 2 - Physics at Work
This unit covers waves, electricity and the nature of light. You will
study the laws, theories and models of physics and then their practical
applications. Topics include the properties of different types of waves,
including stationary waves, refraction, polarization and diffraction,
definitions of electrical quantities, Ohm's law and non-ohmic materials,
potential dividers, emf and internal resistance of cells, and negative
temperature coefficient thermistors and the wave/particle nature of light.
Unit 3a - Exploring Physics
This unit requires that students undertake a case study involving an
application of Physics and a related practical, or a Physics-based visit and a
related practical.
The A2 course builds upon the AS and consists of a further
3 units:
Unit 4 - Physics on the Move
This unit covers further mechanics, electric and magnetic fields and
particle physics. You will study the laws, theories and models of physics and
then their practical applications. Topics include momentum and circular motion,
Coulomb's law, capacitors, magnetic flux density and the laws of electromagnetic
induction, atomic structure, particle accelerators and the standard quark-lepton
model describing the behaviour of matter on a sub-atomic level.
Unit 5 - Physics from Creation to Collapse
This unit covers thermal energy, nuclear decay, oscillations, and
astrophysics and cosmology. You will study the laws, theories and models of
physics and then their practical applications. Topics include specific heat
capacity, internal energy, the ideal gas equation, radioactive decay, simple
harmonic motion, damping, the physical interpretation of astronomical
observations, the formation and evolution of stars, and the history and future
of the Universe.
Unit 6a - Experimental Physics
This unit requires that students plan an experiment, carry out an
experiment, record measurements, analyse their own results and draw conclusions.
The AS and A2 Physics courses from Edexcel are assessed by
modular exams and internal assessment.
Unit 1 is an 90 minute paper sat in January consisting of
objective questions, short questions and long questions. It is worth 40% of the
AS or 20% of the full A-Level.
Unit 2 is an 90 minute paper sat in June consisting of objective
questions, short questions and long questions. It is worth 40% of the AS or 20%
of the full A-Level.
Unit 3a is internally assessed by means of an experiment that is
founded on either a physics-based visit or a case study of an application of
Physics. The experiment and written report are conducted under supervised
conditions. It is worth 20% of the AS or 10% of the full A-Level.
Unit 4 is a 95 minute paper sat in January consisting of objective
questions, short questions and long questions. It is worth 20% of the full
A-Level.
Unit 5 is a 95 minute paper sat in June consisting of objective
questions, short questions and long questions. It is worth 20% of the full
A-Level.
Unit 6a is internally assessed by planning and carrying out an
experiment. The experiment and written report are conducted under supervised
conditions. It is worth 10% of the full A-Level.
The
AS & A-Level Physics Specification from 2008 can be downloaded from the
Edexcel website by clicking here
(requires Adobe®
Reader® ).
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