Physics
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Department Staff
- Dr David Tricker (Head of Department)
- Mr Neil Cope
- Dr Michael Goodson
- Mr Christopher Ingram
- Mrs Nina Odhams
- Mr Ian Taylor
- Mr John Langfield (Technician)
- Mr Tom Ramsay (Technician)
The Department
Physics aims to describe, understand and predict processes in the material world. Physics can claim to be the most fundamental science, providing the foundation for other branches of science and for technology.
At The Perse, all pupils study Physics to GCSE. We aim to produce pupils who:
- have an enthusiasm for and interest in Physics
- understand the basic themes of Physics at a deepening level
- appreciate the broader relevance of Physics
- can apply the scientific method of enquiry
We hope that enjoyment of the subject leads as many suitable candidates as possible to go on to A level.
The Syllabus
In Year 7 and 8 we lay a foundation of fundamental concepts and models. The content broadly follows that of the National Curriculum Key Stage 3. The course is structured to develop basic skills in scientific investigation and to encourage a questioning frame of mind.
All pupils study Physics to IGCSE, and are taught in form groups in Years 9 and 10 and sets in Year 11. They study the International GCSE (CIE Physics 0625, http://www.cie.org.uk) which has no coursework, and the pupils' experimental skills are tested in a practical examination.
At A level we follow the new Advancing Physics Course (OCR Syllabus B), produced by the Institute of Physics. The course aims to encourage wider thought by putting physics in a variety of contexts, including technological, historical and cultural.
The AS course covers digital imaging, electric circuits and sensors, signals and communications, materials and microstructures, waves and quantum behaviour, mechanics and kinetics. The Lower Sixth Form sit two written papers in the Summer Term, namely Physics in Action and Understanding Processes. The third module, Physics in Practice, involves two short pieces of coursework carried out during the year. The practical assignment (Quality of Measurement) takes place during the Lent term and the Materials Research and Presentation takes place shortly after the Easter holiday.
The A2 course is more mathematically challenging and has an emphasis on modelling physical processes, for example in radioactive decay, capacitance and oscillations. We study physics on both the large scale (gravitational fields, cosmology and relativity) and the small scale (particle physics, nuclear processes and radioactivity). In studying the physics of matter both hot and cold we consider how predictable behaviour on the large scale can arise out of apparently random behaviour on the atomic scale. Electric and magnetic fields are introduced in the context of particle accelerators, and electromagnetism is taught with an emphasis on real life electromagnetic machines. The Upper Sixth sit two written papers. 'The Clockwork Universe' is taken in January and 'Field and Particle Pictures' (which includes a synoptic element) is taken in June. One of the highlights of the A2 course is the open ended coursework unit, consisting of a two week practical investigation carried out in the Michaelmas term and a short research briefing delivered in the Lent Term.