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Dunfermline High School

What will I learn?

At every level, Pupils will cover three units, largely based around waves, dynamics and electricity.

Pupils will gain an understanding of Physics and develop this through a variety of approaches, including practical activities, investigations and problem solving. 

Pupils will 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:

National 4 National 5 Higher Adv. Higher

Waves & Radiation

  • wave characteristics
  • sound
  • electromagnetic spectrum
  • nuclear radiation.

 

Waves & Radiation

  • wave parameters and behaviours
  • electromagnetic spectrum
  • refraction of light.
  • nuclear radiation.

 

 

 

 

Particles & Waves

  • forces on charged particles
  • the Standard Model
  • nuclear reactions
  • inverse square law
  • wave-particle duality
  • interference
  • spectra
  • refraction of light.

 

Quanta and Waves

  • introduction to quantum theory
  • particles from space
  • simple harmonic motion
  • waves
  • interference
  • polarisation

 

 

Dynamics & Space

  • speed and acceleration
  • relationships between forces
  • motion and energy
  • satellites and cosmology

 Dynamics & Space

  • vectors and scalars
  • velocity–time graphs
  • acceleration
  • Newton’s laws
  • energy
  • projectile motion.
  • space exploration
  • cosmology.

 Our Dynamic Universe

  • motion — equations and graphs
  • forces, energy and power
  • collisions, explosions, and impulse
  • gravitation
  • special relativity
  • the expanding Universe

Rotational Motion and Astrophysics

  • kinematic relationships
  • angular motion
  • rotational dynamics
  • gravitation
  • general relativity
  • stellar physics

Electricity & Energy

  • generation of electricity
  • electrical power,
  • electromagnetism,
  • practical electrical and electronic circuits
  • gas laws and the kinetic model

Electricity

  • electrical charge carriers
  • potential difference (voltage)
  • Ohm’s law
  • practical electrical and electronic circuits
  • electrical power.

Properties of matter

  • specific heat capacity
  • specific latent heat
  • gas laws and the kinetic model.

Electricity

  • monitoring and measuring AC
  • current, potential difference, power, and resistance
  • electrical sources and internal resistance
  •  capacitors
  • semiconductors and p-n junctions

Electromagnetism

  • fields
  • circuits
  • electromagnetic radiation