Materials Science within AS and A-level
Physics
Elizabeth Swinbank
Director, Salters Horners Advanced Physics
University of York
Changes to AS/A-level physics
All AS and A-level specifications (syllabuses) are changing
for first teaching in September 2008
All the new physics specs have
4 content assessment units (2 AS, 2 A2)
2 coursework assessment units (1 AS, 1 A2)
a requirement to address ‘how science works’
Most have
little or no optional content
See IOP summary for details of assessment structures
Materials Science content is predominantly in AS
AS core content includes
resistivity
refractive index
At AS, nearly all specs require mechanical properties
Hooke’s law
Young modulus
stress-strain graphs
elastic and plastic behaviour
meaning of terms brittle, hard etc
A2 core content includes
specific heat capacity
There is essentially no other Materials Science
content in any A2 physics specification
See Appendix for details of individual spec requirements
Examples of content requirements
Draw force-extension, force-compression, and tensile/
compressive stress-strain graphs. Identify the limit of
proportionality, elastic limit and yield point (Edexcel)
One method of measuring Young modulus and
fracture stress (OCR B)
Describe how to determine the resistivity of a metal
wire experimentally (WJEC)
Refractive index of a substance is given by n = c/v
(AQA B)
How Science Works
Nature and limitations of scientific knowledge
(hypothesis and prediction, data and explanation,
modelling, the scientific community)
Scientific enquiry (experimental skills, data handling,
mathematical skills)
Communication (scientific language, presentation of
data)
Applications and implications (decision making, risk,
ethics)
Coursework
All specifications require practical coursework at AS
and A2.
Students undertake a practical task (or tasks) that are
either set by the awarding body or devised by their
teachers.
Typically, the exercise takes about 1 hour to complete.
The exact requirements vary between specifications.
Examples of AS practical coursework
requirements
Use and be familiar with standard laboratory equipment
(eg electric meters… vernier callipers … newtonmeters...
electronic balance …) (AQA)
Take measurements and record data showing awareness
of the limits of accuracy … (WJEC)
Analyse and interpret data to provide evidence,
recognising correlations and causal relationships
(OCR A)
Visit or case study
The Edexcel specification for AS requires a report of a
visit or case study.
The practical task should be linked to the visit/case
study.
Example
Visit a biscuit factory: observe mechanical testing of
products for quality control
Practical: measure elastic modulus of ice-cream wafer
Materials activities from Salters Horners
Advanced Physics (Edexcel)
Context-led course
Food industry: product development and
quality control
Spare part surgery: designer materials
Eat sweets to establish the meaning of technical
terms brittle, hard, etc
Plot force-extension graphs for strawberry laces
Measure Brinnell
hardness of mints
Measure breaking stress of model bone
Determine Young modulus of UHMWPE
for use in hip replacements
A blueprint for the development of
Materials Science resources
Focus on mechanical properties for AS level
Include electrical, thermal and optical properties
Address ‘how science works’
Develop experimental skills
Put activities in authentic (and novel) contexts
Appendix
Materials Science elements of the new AS
and A-level physics specifications
AQA A
AQA B (Physics in Context)
Edexcel (includes SHAP)
OCR A
OCR B (Advancing Physics)
WJEC
AQA A
Unit 1 Particles, Quantum Phenomena and Electricity
resistivity
superconductivity
Unit 2 Mechanics, Materials and Waves
density
Hooke’s law
tensile stress and strain
energy stored
breaking stress
plastic behaviour
fracture and brittleness
stress-strain curves
Young modulus
AQA A
Unit 5 Nuclear Physics, Thermal Physics
and an Optional Topic
specific heat capacity
AQA B (Physics in context)
Unit 1 Harmony and Structure in the Universe
refractive index
Unit 2 Physics Keeps us Going
elastic potential energy
stiffness (of a sample)
thermal conductivity
U values
resistivity
superconductivity
Unit 5 Energy Under the Microscope
specific heat capacity
Edexcel (SHAP)
Unit 1 Physics on the go
density
laminar and turbulent flow
viscosity and Stokes’s law
Hooke’s law
compressive and tensile stress and strain
stress-strain graphs
Young modulus
elastic and plastic behaviour
breaking stress
energy stored
meaning of brittle, hard, ductile, malleable, stiff, tough
Edexcel (SHAP)
Unit 2 Physics at work
resistivity
temperature and resistance
refractive index
Unit 5 Physics from creation to collapse
specific heat capacity
OCR A
Unit 1 Mechanics
tensile and compressive deformation
Hooke’s law
stored energy
stress and strain
Young modulus
breaking stress
elastic and plastic deformation
stress-strain graphs
Unit 2 Electrons, Waves and Photons
resistivity
temperature and resistance
superconductivity
OCR B (Advancing Physics)
Unit 1 Physics in action: designer materials
mechanical behaviour
deformation and fracture
stress, strain
Young modulus
stiff, elastic, plastic, ductile, hard, brittle, tough
stress-strain graphs
size and spacing of particles
metals, ceramics, polymers, composites
electrical behaviour
metals, semiconductors, insulators
resistivity, conductivity
OCR B (Advancing Physics)
Unit 4 Rise and Fall of the Clockwork Universe
specific heat capacity
WJEC (Wales)
Unit 1 Motion, Energy and Charge
density
stored energy
Hooke’s law
friction
viscosity
resistivity
superconductivity
Unit 2 Waves and Particles
refractive index
WJEC (Wales)
Unit 4 Oscillations and Fields
stiffness (of a sample)
specific heat capacity