Physics
The Physics department brings rocket science to the classroom. Studying all physical aspects from the single electron to the expanding universe. The study of physics presents learners with many challenges but rewards the determined student with a grounded understanding of our increasingly technical world.
Welcome
Staff
Overview
Facilities
In the Classroom
Beyond the Classroom
Mr S Clewley
Welcome to Physics at Shebbear. We build on the learner’s everyday life experience to study the behaviour of the physical world around us and engender the repeated question, “Why?” Using experiments, demonstrations, multimedia and mathematics we open the black box of Physics and demystify it into plain English. Learners are frequently overawed at the scale of the universe and the neatness of the laws and models that describe its behaviour. Physics allows mathematical students to utilise their skills and it enables all students to be more informed and confident in matters of modern technology.
Department Staff
- Mr S Trask
Department Overview
Scientific skills are nurtured in the Junior School allowing pupils to perform experiments and develop an enquiring mind. In the early years of senior school students develop a broad scientific vocabulary and firm knowledge of the Physics in everyday situations. During year nine the emphasis moves towards understanding and the application of conceptual models and mathematical formula in preparation for the GCSE. At A level the behaviour of the physical world is put under greater scrutiny and the students have to develop a clear, deep and harmonious understanding of the many models that attempt to describe our universe. Physics remains a difficult and challenging subject but no one ever said that rocket science was easy.
Facilities
A very modern laboratory and good range of apparatus ensure that the students gain lots of hands on experience and make firm connections between the theory and the practice. Data logging with computers and presenting the results with an interactive white board enables far more immediate analysis and conclusion of experiments.
In the Classroom
We follow the Edexcel Specification in all our examined courses.
GCSEs
The topics taught are:
- Energy, Forces, Electricity, Radioactivity, Waves and the Universe.
AS Level
The topics taught are:
UNIT 1 Physics on the go
- Mechanics
- Materials
UNIT 2 Physics at work
- Waves
- DC Electricity
- Nature of light
UNIT3 Exploring Physics
- An experiment based on either ; a case study of an application of physics , or a physics based visit
A2 Level
UNIT 4 Physics on the move
- Further mechanics
- Fields
- Particle Physics
Unit 5 Physics from creation to collapse
- Thermal energy
- Oscillations
- Astrophysics and cosmology
Unit 6 Experimental Physics
- Planning, carrying out, recording measurements , analysing results and drawing own conclusions on an experiment
Beyond the Classroom
Students are turned on to the Physics that is all around them in their everyday life.
