GCSE Physics Years 9, 10 and 11
Specification
AQA GCSE Physics: The specification and assessment structure can be found at the link: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463
What will I study?
The course consists of
What Skills and Qualities are required?
How will I learn?
How will I be assessed?
Where could it lead?
Additional requirements/information
Year 09
| Topic | Further details about the topic | Skills | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | |||
| 1 | Matter |
Density of materials Changes of state Internal energy |
Practical work Literacy – key terms Equations and calculations |
| 2 | Matter |
Temperature changes in a system and specific heat capacity Changes of state and specific latent heat Particle motion in gases Pressure in gases Increasing the pressure of a gas |
Practical work Literacy – key terms Equations and calculations |
| Spring Term | |||
| 1 | Atomic Structure |
The structure of an atom Mass number, atomic number and isotopes The development of the model of the atom |
Literacy – key terms Equations and calculations |
| 2 | Atomic Structure |
Radioactive decay and nuclear radiation Nuclear equations Half-lives and the random nature of radioactive decay Radioactive contamination Background radiation Different half-lives of radioactive isotopes Uses of nuclear radiation Nuclear fission Nuclear fusion |
Literacy – key terms Equations and calculations |
| Summer Term | |||
| 1 | Energy |
Energy stores and systems Changes in energy Energy changes in systems |
Practical work Literacy – key terms Equations and calculations |
| 2 | Energy |
Power Energy transfers in a system Efficiency National and global energy resources |
Practical work Literacy – key terms Equations and calculations |
Year 10
| Topic | Further details about the topic | Skills | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | |||
| 1 | Electricity |
Static charge Electric fields Standard circuit diagram symbols Electrical charge and current Current, resistance and potential difference Resistors Series and parallel circuits Direct and alternating potential difference |
Practical work Literacy – key terms Equations and calculations |
| 2 | Magnetism and Electromagnetism |
Mains electricity Power Energy transfers in everyday appliances The National Grid Poles of a magnet Magnetic fields Electromagnetism Fleming's left-hand rule Induced potential Uses of the generator effect |
Practical work Literacy – key terms Equations and calculations |
| Spring Term | |||
| 1 | Waves |
Transverse and longitudinal waves Properties of waves Reflection of waves Sound waves Waves for detection and exploration |
Practical work Literacy – key terms Equations and calculations |
| 2 | Waves |
Types of electromagnetic waves Properties of electromagnetic waves Uses and applications of electromagnetic waves Lenses Visible light Emission and absorption of infrared radiation |
Practical work Literacy – key terms Equations and calculations |
| Summer Term | |||
| 1 | Space Physics |
Our solar system The life cycle of a star Orbital motion, natural and artificial satellites Red-shift |
Practical work Literacy – key terms Equations and calculations |
| 2 |
Motion |
Distance and displacement Speed, Velocity, Acceleration Scalar and vector quantities Contact and non-contact forces Gravity Resultant forces |
Practical work Literacy – key terms Equations and calculations |
Year 11
| Topic | Further details about the topic | Skills | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | |||
| 1 | Forces |
Stopping distance Braking distance Reaction time Newton's First Law Newton's Second Law Newton's Third Law Momentum is a property of moving objects Conservation of momentum Changes in momentum |
Practical work Literacy – key terms Equations and calculations |
| 2 | Forces |
Work done and energy transfer Forces and elasticity Moments, levers and gears |
Practical work Literacy – key terms Equations and calculations |
| Spring Term | |||
| 1 | Forces |
Pressure in a fluid Atmospheric pressure |
Practical work Literacy – key terms Equations and calculations |
| 2 | Revision |
|
Practical work Literacy – key terms Equations and calculations |
| Summer Term | |||
| 1 | Revision |
|
Exam skills |
Assessments
| Resources | Topic | Type of assessment |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 1 |
Matter |
Written Test |
| CAT 2 |
Matter, Atomic Structure and Energy |
End of year examination |
| CAT 3 |
Energy, Matter, Atomic Structure, Electricity |
Written Test |
| CAT 4 | Energy, Matter, Atomic Structure, Electricity, Electromagnetism | Written Test |
| CAT 5 | Energy, Matter, Atomic Structure, Electricity, Magnetism, Waves |
End of year examination |
| CAT 6 |
Energy, Matter, Atomic Structure, Electricity, Magnetism, Waves, Space Physics |
Written Test |
| CAT 7 | All Paper 1 topics - Energy, Matter, Atomic Structure, Electricity | Mock examination |
| CAT 8 | All Paper 2 topics - Magnetism, Waves, Space Physics, Forces and Motion | Mock examination |
Main Resources
| Resource | Details | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Text books |
AQA Science Physics new GCSE (Oxford University Press) |
All |
| Recommended reading |
GCSE Physics AQA revision guide (Oxford University Press) |
All |
| Recommended websites |
www.kerboodle.com (all pupils will have a login to this resource) gcsephysicsonline (login needed ask your Physics teacher) |
All |
| Equipment | Pens, pencils, rulers, calculator | All |
Enrichment opportunities
| Activity | Day and time or term |
|---|---|
| Year 11 Revision sessions | From April |
| Ogden Trust Physics competition | Spring Term of Year 9 |
| IoP Physics competition | Summer term of Year 9 |
