Physics Purposes, Aims, Skills, Knowledge and Understanding
Access 3
National 4
National 5
Higher
Purposes
Science is vital to everyday life, and allows us to understand and shape the world in which we live and influence its future. Scientists play a key role in meeting
society’s needs in areas such as medicine, energy, industry, material development, the environment and sustainability. As the importance and application of
science continues to grow and develop, more trained scientists will be required. It is also important that everyone has an informed view of science.
Physics gives learners an insight into the underlying nature of our world and its place in the universe. From the sources of the power we use, to the exploration
of space, it covers a range of applications of the relationships that have been discovered through experiment and calculation, including those used in modern
technology.
An experimental and investigative approach is used to develop knowledge and understanding of Physics concepts. The Course develops learners’ interest and
enthusiasm for Physics in a range of contexts. Skills of scientific inquiry and investigation are developed throughout the Course by investigating the applications
of Physics. This will enable learners to become scientifically literate citizens, able to review the science-based claims which they meet.
This Course will enable learners to
This Course will enable learners to
This Course will enable learners to
This Course will enable learners to
use Physics to interpret aspects of
develop confidence in recognising
develop a deeper understanding of
develop ability in describing and
their everyday lives. They will
and communicating ideas on scientific interpreting physical phenomena
Physics concepts and the ability to
develop skills for further learning and
phenomena. Learners will develop the
describe and interpret physical
using mathematical skills, and will
thinking skills which are applicable
ability to solve problems and establish
phenomena using mathematical skills.
across many sectors of employment.
relationships in physics by acquiring a practice scientific methods of
They will develop scientific methods of
investigation
from
which
general
broad knowledge base, practical skills
research in which issues in Physics are
relationships are derived and
and basic mathematical skills.
explored and conclusions drawn.
explored.
Aims
 develop knowledge and
understanding of physics
concepts
 develop understanding of the role
of physics in scientific issues and
relevant applications of physics in
society
 develop scientific inquiry and
investigative skills
Aims
 develop and apply knowledge and
understanding of physics
concepts
 develop understanding of the role
of physics in scientific issues and
relevant applications of physics in
society
 develop scientific inquiry and
investigative skills
Aims
 develop and apply knowledge
and understanding of physics
concepts
 develop understanding of the
role of physics in scientific
issues and relevant applications
of physics in society
 develop scientific inquiry and
investigative skills
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Aims
develop and apply knowledge and
understanding of physics concepts
develop understanding of the role of
physics in scientific issues and
relevant applications of physics in
society
develop scientific inquiry and
investigative skills
develop scientific analytical thinking
 develop scientific analytical
thinking skills in the context of
physics
 use technology, equipment and
materials safely in practical
scientific activities
 develop problem solving skills in a
physics context
 establish the knowledge and skills
for more advanced learning in the
sciences
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Skills, knowledge and
understanding
applying, with guidance, physics
knowledge and understanding
solving simple problems and
making decisions
applying, with guidance,
experimental/investigative skills,
including planning, carrying out
and evaluating
applying, with guidance,
information handling skills,
including collecting, presenting
and processing information
making basic
predictions/generalisations from
 develop scientific analytical
thinking skills in the context of
physics
 use technology, equipment and
materials safely in practical
scientific activities
 develop problem solving skills in a
physics context
 establish the knowledge and skills
for more advanced learning in the
sciences
 use and understand scientific
literacy in everyday contexts to
make scientifically informed
choices
 develop the knowledge and skills
for more advanced learning in the
sciences
Skills, knowledge and
understanding
 demonstrating knowledge and
understanding of Physics by
making accurate statements and
providing explanations
 applying knowledge of Physics to
situations, interpreting information
and solving problems
 selecting information from a
variety of straightforward sources
 presenting information
appropriately in a variety of forms
 processing information accurately,
using calculations, where
appropriate
 develop scientific analytical
thinking skills in the context of
physics
 use technology, equipment and
materials safely in practical
scientific activities
 develop problem solving skills in
a physics context
 establish the knowledge and
skills for more advanced
learning in the sciences
 use and understand scientific
literacy in everyday contexts to
make scientifically informed
choices
 develop the knowledge and
skills for more advanced
learning in the sciences
Skills, knowledge and
understanding
 demonstrating knowledge and
understanding of physics by
making accurate statements,
providing explanations and by
integrating different areas of
knowledge
 applying knowledge of Physics
to new situations, interpreting
information and solving
problems
 selecting information from a
variety of sources
 presenting information
appropriately in a variety of
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skills in the context of physics
use technology, equipment and
materials safely in practical
scientific activities
develop problem solving skills in a
physics context
establish the knowledge and skills
for more advanced learning in the
sciences
use and understand scientific
literacy in everyday contexts to
make scientifically informed choices
develop the knowledge and skills
for more advanced learning in the
sciences
Skills, knowledge and
understanding
demonstrating knowledge and
understanding of Physics by making
accurate statements, describing
information, providing explanations
and by integrating a range of
knowledge.
applying knowledge of Physics to
new situations, interpreting
information and solving problems.
selecting information from a variety
of sources.
presenting information appropriately
in a variety of forms
pprocessing information accurately,
evidence/information
 drawing valid conclusions from
evidence/information
 •communicating findings
 planning, designing and carrying
out experimental procedures to
illustrate effects
 evaluating experimental
procedures
 drawing valid conclusions and
giving explanations supported by
evidence
 making predictions and
generalisations based on
evidence/information
 communicating findings
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SLL&W
2
Numeracy
2.1 Number processes
2.2 Money, time and measurement
2.3 Information handling
SLL&W
2
Numeracy
2.1 Number processes
2.2 Money, time and measurement
2.3 Information handling
forms
processing information
accurately, using calculations,
where appropriate
planning, designing and
carrying out experimental
procedures to test hypotheses
or to illustrate effects
evaluating experimental
procedures
drawing valid conclusions and
giving explanations supported
by evidence or justification
making predictions and
generalisations based on
evidence/information
communicating findings
SLL&W
2
Numeracy
2.1
Number processes
2.2
Money, time and
measurement
2.3
Information handling
using calculations, where
appropriate.
 planning, designing and carrying out
experimental procedures to test
given hypotheses or to illustrate
particular effects.This could include
identification of variables, controls
and measurements or observations
required.
 evaluating experimental procedures
by commenting on the purpose or
approach, the suitability and
effectiveness of procedures, the
control of variables, the limitations
of equipment, and possible sources
of error and/or suggestions for
improvement.
 drawing valid conclusions and give
explanations supported by evidence
or justification. Conclusions should
include reference to the overall
pattern to readings or observations,
to trends in results, or comment on
the connection between variables
and controls.
 making predictions and
generalisations based on
evidence/information.
 communicating findings
SLL&W
1
Literacy
1.2 Writing
2
2.1
Numeracy
Number processes
5
5.2
5.3
Thinking skills
Understanding
Applying
5
5.3
5.4
Thinking skills
Applying
Analysing
5
5.3
5.4
Thinking skills
Applying
Analysing and evaluating
2.2
2.3
Money, time and measurement
Information handling
5
5.3
5.4
5.5
Thinking skills
Applying
Analysing and evaluating
Creating