The Physics department provides courses for S1 and S2 Scientists to study on the topics of Energy, Heat, Waves, Forces and Electricity. These courses allow pupils to take part in experiments and to contribute to debates and discussions, to help to expand their knowledge of the world around them. In addition, the problem solving aspect of Physics enables pupils to develop the problem solving skills that will serve them well beyond the school classroom.

Beyond the Broad General Education in S1-S3, pupils can study a National 5 course leading to an exam at the end of S4. In S5 and S6, Higher Physics is offered. Pupils in S6 who have successfully achieved an award in Higher Physics can go on to Advanced Higher.

Pupils have had the opportunity in previous years to take part in the following events and activities;

• West of Scotland Physics Education Group Competition (runners-up 2016 and Winners in 2017)
• Visit to Whitelee Wind Farm.
• Visit to Hunterston Nuclear Power Station.
• Visit to Euro Space Centre, Belgium.

Candidates gain an understanding of physics and develop this through a variety of approaches, including practical activities, investigations and problem solving. Candidates research topics, apply scientific skills and communicate information related to their findings, which develops skills of scientific literacy.

The course content includes the following areas of physics:

Dynamics
Topics covered are: vectors and scalars; velocity–time graphs; acceleration; Newton’s laws; energy; projectile motion.

Space
Topics covered are: space exploration; cosmology.

Electricity
Topics covered are: electrical charge carriers; potential difference (voltage); Ohm’s law; practical electrical and electronic circuits; electrical power.

Properties of matter
Topics covered are: specific heat capacity; specific latent heat; gas laws and the kinetic model.

Waves
Topics covered are: wave parameters and behaviours; electromagnetic spectrum; refraction of light.

Radiation
Topic covered is nuclear radiation.

Course Assessment.

Why chose higher physics?

http://www.iop.org/publications/iop/2010/file_59344.pdf

The purpose of the Course is to develop learners’ curiosity, interest and enthusiasm for physics in a range of contexts. The skills of scientific inquiry and investigation are developed throughout the Course. The relevance of physics is highlighted by the study of the applications of physics in everyday contexts. This will enable learners to become scientifically literate citizens, able to review the science-based claims they will meet.

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of science, learners benefit from studying Physics along with other subjects from the sciences, technologies, and mathematics curriculum areas. The Course develops scientific understanding of issues relating to physics. It will enable learners to gain an in-depth knowledge of concepts in physics, and to develop confidence in the skills of scientific inquiry. Learners will develop ability in describing and interpreting physical phenomena using mathematical skills, and will practice scientific methods of investigation from which general relationships are derived and explored.

The Course gives learners a deeper insight into the structure of the subject, and aims to reinforce and extend the learner’s knowledge and understanding of the concepts of physics. It also aims to develop the learner’s skills in making critical and evaluative comment.

Advances in physics mean that our view of what is possible is continually being updated. This Course allows learners to deepen their understanding of the processes behind scientific advances, and thus promotes awareness that physics involves interaction between theory and practice. The Course will therefore enable learners to become scientifically literate citizens who will recognise the impact physics makes on their lives, the environment and society, and be able to appreciate topical scientific debate. Learners will develop skills for learning beyond Higher and for employment.

Our Dynamic Universe.
Topics are:   Motion — equations and graphs, Forces, energy and power, Collisions, explosions and impulse, Gravitation, Special relativity, The Expanding Universe.

Particles and Waves.
Topics are:   The Standard Model, Forces on charged particles, Nuclear reactions, Wave particle duality, Interference and diffraction, Refraction of light, Spectra

Electricity
Topics are:   Monitoring and measuring a.c., Current, potential difference, power and resistance, Electrical sources and internal resistance, Capacitors, Conductors, semiconductors and insulators, p-n junctions

Course assessment structure.

Component 1 — question paper (scaled from 130 marks) 100 marks

                   (20 marks multiple choice, 110 marks written, scaled to 80)

Component 2 — assignment 20 marks

(carried out under strictly controlled conditions. Research and Communication task written up in school and marked by SQA)

Total marks 120 marks

The Advanced Higher Physics Course has been designed to articulate with and provide progression from the (Revised) Higher Physics Course. Through a deeper insight into the structure of the subject, the Course aims to provide an opportunity for reinforcing and extending the candidate‘s knowledge and understanding of the concepts of physics and developing the candidate‘s skills in investigative practical work.

The purpose of the Course is to build on the knowledge and skills developed by the learner in the Higher Physics Course and to use their mathematical knowledge and skills to analyse and solve problems in real-life contexts.

As our understanding of physics and its potential applications is constantly evolving, our success as an industrial society depends on the development of young people who are secure in their knowledge of physics and who are resilient, adaptable, creative and inventive. The Course offers opportunities for collaborative and independent learning set within familiar and unfamiliar contexts, and seeks to illustrate and emphasise situations where the principles of physics are used and applied, thus promoting the candidate‘s awareness that physics involves interaction between theory and practice.

An opportunity for engaging in some independent research is provided. The resulting elements of knowledge and understanding and skills form the basis of the Advanced Higher Physics Course. The study of Advanced Higher Physics should also foster an interest in current developments in and applications of physics, the willingness to make critical and evaluative comment, and the acceptance that physics is a changing subject. Positive attitudes, such as being open-minded and willing to recognise alternative points of view, are promoted.

An experimental and investigative approach is used to develop knowledge and understanding of physics concepts. The Course develops learners’ curiosity, interest and enthusiasm for physics in a range of contexts. The key skills of scientific inquiry and investigation are integrated and developed throughout the Course. The Course gives opportunities for learners to make reasoned evaluations. It also serves to equip all learners with an understanding of the impact of physics on everyday life, and with the knowledge and skills to be able to reflect critically on scientific publications and media reports. This allows learners to make their own reasoned decisions on many issues within a modern society where the body of scientific knowledge and its applications and implications are ever-developing.

The Course content has been selected to allow learners to study key physics ideas within situations of personal relevance, using up-to-date contexts. The Course offers opportunities for collaborative and independent learning, set within familiar and unfamiliar contexts and for high-quality experimental work.

Rotational Motion and Astrophysics.
Topics are:   Kinematic relationships, Angular motion, Rotational dynamics, Gravitation, General relativity, Stellar physics.

Quanta and Waves.
Topics are:   Introduction to quantum theory, Particles from space, Simple harmonic motion, Waves, Interference, Polarisation

Electromagnetism.
Topics are:   Fields, Circuits, Electromagnetic radiation.

Course assessment structure

Component 1 — question paper 100 marks

                             (scaled from 140 marks)

Component 2 — project 30 marks

                             (carried out in school and marked by SQA)

Total marks            130 marks

Careers directly linked to degree: Geophysicist/field seismologist; Higher education lecturer; Metallurgist; Nanotechnologist; Radiation protection practitioner; Research scientist (physical sciences); Secondary school teacher; Renewable energy sector; Oil and Gas sector; Medical Physicist; Space exploration technologist; Telecommunications engineer.

Careers where degree can be useful: Investment analyst, meteorologist, nuclear engineer, operational researcher, patent attorney, PPC specialist, software engineer.

Typical employers:

Aerospace and defence, education, energy, engineering, instrumentation, manufacturing, oil and gas, science and telecommunications.

Link to recruitment website with job adverts for Physicists.

http://brightrecruits.com/

H Physics
N5 Physics