Physics at Bullers Wood
Relevant...challenging...and
fun!
Induction Day - 26th June 2014
Why Choose Physics?
Physics is demanding. It is one of the most challenging A-levels that you could
choose...but it is also one of the most rewarding subjects that you could
study and one of the most respected!
People who study Physics develop skills that are transferrable to other
subjects and used in many different
careers. Physicists are fantastic
thinkers. They are logical and rational.
They are able to synthesise
information from different sources.
They have a good understanding of
the importance of uncertainty, in
order to make good sense of data.
Whatever career path you take, the
skills that you learn now will be
valuable throughout your life. We
hope that you will enjoy it, too!
This information pack is to give you some background information about the
A-level Physics course and to set out the work that you are expected to
complete during the holidays.
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Course Structure
Each week you will have six 50 min Physics lessons including a weekly
‘seminar-style’ Problem Solving Class, where you will have the chance to work
through exam questions and resolve any problems from the lessons.
Unit
Title
Unit 1 Physics on the go
Unit 2 Physics at work
Unit 3 Exploring physics
Assessment method
Exam
Exam
Practical
% overall grade
40%
40%
20%
In addition to this, you will do a ‘Language of Physics’ unit that will run during
the Autumn term. The purpose of these lessons will be to develop skills
relevant across all Physics units, improve your existing experimental skills and
techniques and provide a good foundation for the preparation for the
practical coursework in Unit 3.
The Physics course requires a lot of independent learning. In order to be
successful, the time spent working on your Physics independently should be
at least equal to the time spent in the classroom. The earlier you get into this
habit, the better!
Physics Skills
It is our aim, through a range of activities and experiments, to develop your
skill levels in the areas of:
•
•
•
•
•
Thinking
Problem solving
Applying
Analysing and evaluating
Practical aptitude
Oh, and we’ll teach you some Physics along the way too!!
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Advice from previous Physics students
Learn the GCSE
topics really
well.
Take Physics if you like it;
don't be forced into it. You
have to be prepared to
put in the work.
Do your own work +
questions at home, as well
as learning everything as
Get revision guides right at
the beginning so you are
constantly revising, it will
pay off when the exams
come round.
you go along.
Try to understand the
work, not just learn it by
rote - it helps your
knowledge and
understanding of Physics if
you apply it to the outside
world.
Look at the
course before you
start. The
specification is on
the Edexcel
website.
Interesting,
entertaining and useful
– but you have to work
hard.
The course is very
challenging…but rewarding
when you get it right!
3
Your task: Snapping Shoelaces
Skills tested:
 Recall
 Data manipulation
 Common sense
 Designing a practical
Physics:
 Young’s Modulus
 Materials
 Elasticity
Brief:
A sweet manufacturer has to be certain that its popular ‘Strawberry
Shoelaces’ will snap if put under enough tension. This is to avoid any accidents
should the product becoming wrapped around small children’s necks.
How would you calculate the breaking stress for the product to test this
requirement? Plan an experiment to find this value. You are going to
complete a task in pairs. How you approach and think through the task is as
important as the final outcome!
Extra information:
1. The stress, σ, applied to a material can be calculated by:
Stress (σ) = force applied (F) ÷ cross sectional area (A)
Where stress is measured in N/ m2, force in N and area in m2.
2. The breaking stress of a material is the stress under which the material
will yield (break).
3. Weight (N) = mass (kg) x gravitational field strength (N/kg).
Take gravitational field strength as 10 N/kg.
4. Diameter of the laces = 2.44mm = 0.00244m
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Plan
What equipment will you use? What is your method?
Breaking stress of the Strawberry Shoelaces: ..........................................N/m 2
5
Developing Problem Solving Skills
Students taking Physics to advanced level (AS and A2) must develop problem
solving skills to enable them to explore a problem and identify different ways
of tackling it including investigation and mathematical manipulation.
You will need to:
• Identify, analyse and accurately describe the problem.
• Show that you know and understand what must be done to successfully
solve the problem.
• Select appropriate methods to solve the problem, then explain - giving
reasons - the choice of method(s) used.
• Show that you have considered the main risks involved.
Equipment List
In order to be successful in Physics, you will need to be organised and
prepared for each lesson. You need to come to each lesson with the
following equipment (as a minimum!):
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Pen, pencil & rubber
Lined paper
Scientific calculator (that you know how to use!!)
30cm ruler
Protractor
Compass
Set square
To keep your notes tidy, get yourself a few folders with dividers and some
index cards for making revision cards.
You will be provided with a text book to accompany the course, which should
be brought to every lesson. The VLE will also be used as a source of
information (uploaded notes / past papers / discussion board).
6
Summer Preparation
To prepare you for AS Physics, we have a number of tasks that you must
complete over the summer:
Task
Done
Go through revision book (you need to purchase this from us)*
ISBN 9781847621153
Head Start to AS Physics, CGP
Learn SI units and quantities (beginning of the book).
Learn unit prefixes (beginning of the book).
Learn Sections One and Two for the first Physics unit.
Sections Three and Four will help you with the 2nd year 12 unit, so read
through these topics (these topics will not be in your test in the first week).
Maths Skills Self-Assessment checklist (see next page). If you are unsure of a
concept, use GCSE revision websites and your own KS4 notes to recap it.
Prepare yourself with the required equipment, plus folders and dividers to
organise your work.
*You will be tested on this in the first week back, as we believe that this preparation is
essential! You will also be tested at the beginning of October to make sure that you are
making the necessary progress on the course.
A bit of extra work before you start will really help
you get going with the course, so invest some
time in building a really good foundation for
yourself. Please bring this booklet in, showing the
completed tasks, at the beginning of Y12.
Enjoy your summer, and we look forward to welcoming you to
Team Physics in September.
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Maths Skills Self-Assessment Checklist
  
Graphs
Plot a graph using two variables from experimental or other data,
using appropriate scales for graph plotting.
Understand that y = mx + c represents a linear relationship and
rearrange relationships into this form where appropriate.
Determine the gradient and intercept of a linear graph by drawing
and calculation.
Determine the gradient of a tangent to a non-linear graph by
drawing.
Finding the gradient and intercept.
Find the area under a curve or line.
Arithmetic and computation
Recognise and use expressions in decimal and standard form
(scientific) notation.
Use ratios, fractions and percentages.
Recognise and use SI prefixes for 10-12, 10-9, 10-6, 10-3, 103, 106 & 109.
Use a calculator for:
 addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
 finding arithmetic means
 manipulating degrees
 finding and using xn, 1/x and √x.
Algebra
Change the subject of an equation by manipulation of the terms,
including positive, negative, integer & fractional indices, & square
roots.
Solve algebraic equations including those involving inverse and
inverse square relationships.
Substitute numerical values into algebraic equations using
appropriate units for physical quantities.
Understand and use the symbols =, <, >, << , >> , ≈, ∝, ~, Σx and Δx.
Geometry and trigonometry
Calculate the areas of triangles, the circumferences and areas of
circles, & the surface areas & volumes of rectangular blocks, cylinders
& spheres.
Use Pythagoras’ theorem, similarity of triangles and the angle sum of
a triangle.
Use sine, cosine and tangent in physical problems.
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