Physics Department
The Physics Department has two part-time members of staff
- Mr Dennis Leckie (Principal Teacher)
- Dr Kathleen Apperson – 2 days
Science Technician - Mrs Sandra Wilson,
The aim of the Physics Department is to foster an interest and excitement about the key concepts that lie at the heart of the study of Physics and to make pupils aware of the impact that Physics has on society and the world in general.
Outline of S1 & 2 Syllabus
S1 2 periods p/w
Handling Apparatus - The study of the systematic nature of measurement and learning of science skills.
Energy Transformations - Investigate simple energy changes and discuss the big issues surrounding energy today.
Expansion and Contraction - The study of the behaviour of solids, liquids and gases with temperature changes. Introduction to formula work by investigating pressure and density to improve numeracy skills
Electricity - Conductors and insulators, series and parallel circuits, current, voltage, power and resistance. Further opportunity to encourage investigative and numeracy skills.
S2 1 period p/w
Heat on the move - Conduction, convection and radiation - and all associated applications.
Light and Sound - How light travels in straight lines, reflection from planes and curved mirrors, refraction through lenses and prisms, colour, sound vibrations, travelling sound and sound levels.
Force, Work and Power - Investigation of different forces and their effects. Further opportunity to encourage investigative, literacy and numeracy skills.
Homework - Homework will be provided at the end of each lesson.
S1 are encourage to participate in book reviews on science articles of their choice from the Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia series of books.
Outline of S3 & 4 Syllabus
Standard Grade
S3 3 periods p/w
Telecommunications - Radio and television reception, communication satellites and the use of fibre optics for transmitting information.
Electricity - Principles behind the electrical and electronic devices which they encounter in their everyday lives.
Health Physics - Uses of ultrasounds, optics, electronics and radioactivity in medical care.
Electronics - Developments in both digital and analogue electronics and further study of the circuit theory.
S4 3 periods p/w
Transport - Key concepts of mechanics in relation to everyday aspects of travel such as the use of seatbelts and the stopping distances of vehicles.
Energy Matters - Energy supply and demand, the generation of electricity and the physical principles involved in conservation, especially in the domestic environment.
Space Physics- Vastness of the universe including the constitution of stars and ways in which knowledge has been obtained; including trips to near space to provide a context in which to consider the physical basis of space travel.
Homework - Homework will be provided on a weekly basis.
In addition, pupils must complete 8 practical techniques and 2 investigations in class time to achieve a grade for practical abilities.
More detailed information of the above course can be found on the SQA - Services for learners website.
Advanced Higher 5 periods p/w
Mechanics- Kinematic relationships and relativistic motion, angular motion, rotational dynamics, gravitation, simple harmonic motion and wave-particle duality.
Electrical Phenomena- Electrical fields, electromagnetism, motion in a magnetic field, self-inductance and forces of nature.
Wave Phenomena - Waves, interference-division of amplitude, interference-division of wavefront and polarisation.
Physics Investigation - Individual investigative project.
Pupils are encouraged to link with local universities for the investigation unit, particularly with regards to using specialist equipment.
Homework - Homework will be provided on a weekly basis.
In addition, pupils sit a NAB test at the end of each unit and complete a report on an experiment undertaken in class.
More detailed information of the above courses can be found on the SQA - Services for learners
website.
Outline of P7 Syllabus –
1.5 periods per week
P7 science offers the pupils the chance to become accustomed to working in a science lab and provides them with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of scientific equipment. In unit 1 the pupils learn ‘how to investigate’ using everyday pieces of apparatus. The skills acquired in this unit are further developed in the remainder of the course which is split up into individual units dealing with Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
The second period is used for project work/scientific research where the pupils take the lead in choosing a topic of their choice from within a broad subject area such as ‘space’. They can choose to work individually or as a part of a small group. Having researched their chosen topic they have the opportunity to present their findings by means of posters, presentations and formal scientific reports.
Homework - Homework will be provided on a weekly basis.
Details of any extracurricular activities organised by the department
The department encourages pupils to participate in the weekly science revision club available at lunch break and organises peer support for pupils during class time or on a one to one basis during break times. Peer support is provided by S6 pupils (with guidance from the class teacher) who are familiar with the Physics courses.
Additional information:
The department has strong links with Glasgow University and Strathclyde University's physics departments.
Pupils visit Strathclyde University's Science promotion week – Lightning, Rainbows and Silicon chips and pupils from S1 & S2 are encouraged to attend Start – Up Science workshops at Glasgow University on a Saturday morning.
The pupils studying Advanced Higher are encouraged to attend TUSLIP day at St Andrews University where they experience workshops, lectures, etc to help them prepare for student life.
Pupils also benefit from Bitesize, an online revision resource by the BBC.
BBC - Education Scotland - Standard Grade Bitesize Revision - Physics Index and Scholar, an on-line resource for Higher and Advanced Higher pupils set up by Heriot-Watt University. Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh - The SCHOLAR Forum: Scotland.
To supplement the classroom studies, trips are organised to Science Lectures and Science attractions e.g. Glasgow Science Centre at appropriate stages in the curriculum.
