Summary of National 4 and 5 Physics
Unit 1 – Electricity & Energy
The general aim of this unit is to develop skills of scientific inquiry,
investigation and analytical thinking, along with knowledge and understanding of
electricity and energy. Learners will apply these skills when considering the
applications of electricity and energy on our lives, as well as the implications on
society/the environment. This can be done by using a variety of approaches,
including investigation and problem solving.
National 4:
The unit covers the key areas of generation of electricity, electrical power,
electromagnetism, practical electrical and electronic circuits, gas laws and the
kinetic model. Learners will research issues, apply scientific skills and
communicate information related to their findings, which will develop skills of
scientific literacy.
National 5:
The unit covers the key areas of energy transfer, heat and the gas laws.
Learners will research issues, apply scientific skills and communicate
information related to their findings, which will develop skills of scientific
literacy.
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National 4
Generation of Electricity
Electrical Power
Electromagnetism
Electrical & Electronic
Systems
Gas Law & the Kinetic Model
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National 5
Conservation of Energy
Electric Charge, Fields &
Potential Difference
Electrical & Electronic
Circuits
Ohm’s Law & Electrical Power
Specific Heat Capacity
Gas Laws & the Kinetic Model
Unit 2 – Waves & Radiation
The general aim of this unit is to develop skills of scientific inquiry,
investigation and analytical thinking, along with knowledge and understanding of
waves and radiation. Learners will apply these skills when considering the
applications of waves and radiation on our lives, as well as the implications on
society/the environment. This can be done by using a variety of approaches,
including investigation and problem solving.
National 4:
The unit covers the key areas of wave characteristics, sound, electromagnetic
spectrum and nuclear radiation. Learners will research issues, apply scientific
skills and communicate information related to their findings, which will develop
skills of scientific literacy.
National 5:
The unit covers the key areas of waves and nuclear radiation. Learners will
research issues, apply scientific skills and communicate information related to
their findings, which will develop skills of scientific literacy.
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National 4
Waves
Sound
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Nuclear Radiation
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National 5
Waves
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Light
Nuclear Radiation
Unit 3 – Dynamics & Space
The general aim of this unit is to develop skills of scientific inquiry,
investigation and analytical thinking, along with knowledge and understanding of
dynamics and space. Learners will apply these skills when considering the
applications of dynamics and space on our lives, as well as the implications on
society/the environment. This can be done by using a variety of approaches,
including investigation and problem solving.
National 4:
The unit covers the key areas of speed and acceleration, relationships between
forces, motion and energy, satellites and cosmology. Learners will research
issues, apply scientific skills and communicate information related to their
findings, which will develop skills of scientific literacy.
National 5:
The unit covers the key areas of kinematics, forces and space. Learners will
research issues, apply scientific skills and communicate information related to
their findings, which will develop skills of scientific literacy.
National 4
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Speed & Acceleration
Forces, Motion & Energy
Satellites
Cosmology
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National 5
Vectors & Scalars
Velocity & Acceleration
Newton’s Laws
Projectiles
Space Exploration
Cosmology
Assessment
You will be assessed throughout the course in a variety of ways. Some of the
assessments are to provide you and your parents/guardians information on how
you are getting on. Other assessments are to provide evidence for SQA
certification purposes and will be completed and marked following guidelines set
by the SQA. These assessments will cover content and skills appropriate to
National 4 or 5 levels.
National 4
Assessment Task 1 A scientific report of an experiment
or practical investigation.
National 5
Assessment Task 1 A scientific report of an experiment
or practical investigation.
The report must include:
A plan of the experiment including safety
procedures
Observations/measurements
Results
Conclusions
Evaluation
YOU ONLY NEED TO COMPLETE ONE
EXPERIMENT REPORT FOR THE SQA
FOR THE COURSE.
The report must include:
A plan of the experiment including safety
procedures
Observations/measurements
Results
Conclusions
Evaluation
YOU ONLY NEED TO COMPLETE ONE
EXPERIMENT REPORT FOR THE SQA
FOR THE COURSE.
Assessment Task 2 A short scientific report of a
research investigation.
Assessment Task 2 A short scientific report of a
research investigation.
You will select and research an application of
physics from one of the key areas you have
studied. You must produce a report of 40 -70
words which identifies the key area and the
impact of the application on the
environment/society.
YOU ONLY NEED TO COMPLETE ONE
RESEARCH REPORT FOR THE SQA FOR THE
COURSE.
You will select and research an application of
physics from one of the key areas you have
studied. You must produce a report of 50 -100
words which identifies the key area and the
impact of the application on the
environment/society.
YOU ONLY NEED TO COMPLETE ONE
RESEARCH REPORT FOR THE SQA FOR THE
COURSE.
Assessment Task 3 A set of questions.
Assessment Task 3 A set of questions.
You will be given questions covering knowledge
& understanding and problem solving under
exam conditions in class.
YOU WILL GET A SET OF QUESTIONS FOR
EACH OF THE THREE UNITS.
You will be given questions covering knowledge
& understanding and problem solving under
exam conditions in class.
YOU WILL GET A SET OF QUESTIONS FOR
EACH OF THE THREE UNITS.
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Added Value Assessment
Added Value Assessment
You will investigate a topical issue in physics
and its impact on society/the environment by:
Choosing a relevant issue in physics
Researching the issue
Presenting appropriate information
Explaining the impact, in terms of the
physics involved
Communicating your findings.
You will investigate a topical issue in physics
and its impact on society/the environment by:
Choosing a relevant issue in physics
Researching the issue
Presenting appropriate information
Explaining the impact, in terms of the
physics involved
Communicating your findings.
You will be able to gather information over
several weeks and you will be given no more
than 2 hours under supervised conditions to
write up your findings under open-book
conditions. This will be marked by your class
teacher.
YOU ONLY NEED TO COMPLETE ONE ADDED
VALUE ASSESSMENT FOR THE COURSE.
You will be able to gather information over
several weeks and you will be given no more
than 1 hour under supervised conditions to
write up your findings under open-book
conditions. This will be submitted to the SQA
to be marked. It is worth a total of 20 marks.
YOU ONLY NEED TO COMPLETE ONE ADDED
VALUE FOR THE COURSE.
Exam
Exam
Note: There is no final exam for National 4.
You will sit a final exam which will test your
knowledge & understanding from all the units
as well as problem solving skills. The exam will
be sat under exam conditions in the hall. This
will be submitted to the SQA to be marked. It
is worth a total of 80 marks.
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