Physics NATURE OF THE SUBJECT In Physics there are three connected domains of knowledge and skills: Laws of Physics Pupils should be able to: • • • • • •
describe and explain them as qualitative or quantitative models of reality; describe their phenomenological and experimental basis; describe their limitations; describe their applications in and implications for daily life; apply them to unfamiliar situations; describe, where appropriate, their connections with one another.
Experimental skills Pupils should be able to: • • • •
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follow instructions for experimental methods; manipulate equipment safely and effectively; record and analyse experimental data; draw conclusions from those data in the formulation of a purely empirical model or in comparison with a proposed hypothesis or model; design experiments to answer scientific questions of model generation or hypothesis testing.
Social and historical aspects of Physics as an evolving body of human knowledge about nature. Pupils should be able to: • •
evaluate the impact, good, bad or neutral, that Physics has had on daily life and society; evaluate the rôles that physicists have played in the evolution of the subject.
OBJECTIVES It is the intention that pupils should be able to: 1. demonstrate an understanding of: • scientific facts and concepts • scientific methods/techniques • scientific terminology • methods of presenting scientific information 2. Apply and use: • scientific facts and concepts • scientific methods/techniques • scientific terminology to communicate effectively • appropriate methods to present scientific information.
3. Construct, analyse and evaluate: • hypotheses, research questions and predictions • scientific methods/techniques and procedures • primary and secondary data • scientific explanations 4. Demonstrate the appropriate research, experimental, and personal skills necessary to carry out insightful and ethical investigations. SYLLABUS OUTLINE Core: • Measurement and uncertainties • Mechanics • Thermal Physics • Waves • Electricity and Magnetism • Circular motion and gravitation • Atomic, nuclear and particle physics • Energy production Additional Higher Level: • Wave phenomena • Fields • Electromagnetic induction • Quantum and nuclear physics OPTIONS • Relativity • Engineering Physics • Imaging • Astrophysics ASSESSMENT Standard Level Paper 1 3/4 hour 20% Multiple choice questions on the core. Paper 2 1¼ hour 40% Short-answer and extended-response questions on the core material. Paper 3 1 hour 20% Section A: one data-based question and several shortanswer questions on experimental work.
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