Years 10 and 11 GCSE Physics Curriculum Plan
The course is part of the Science Suite produced by the AQA, who provide detailed specifications. The course is based on texts from Nelson Thornes that were produced in consultation with the AQA. The course will enable students to progress to Advanced Level Physics. Assessment consists of 30 minute objective tests, 45 minute papers containing structured questions, and a centre-assessed unit on practical and investigative skills, worth 25% of the qualification.
All materials used in lessons and for homework are available to staff and students on the school extranet.
At the end of Year 9 students will take the first Physics unit and in November of Year 10 they will take the second Physics unit. Each unit is assessed by a 30 minute objective test (tiered). These units are each worth 12.5% of the overall qualification.
| Year 9 - June | P1a |
| Year 10 - November | P1b |
| Year 10 – March | P1a re-takes |
| Year 10 – June | P1b re-takes |
In Year 11 there will be:
- One 45 minute paper – Unit 2 (tiered) containing structured questions worth 25% of the overall qualification in January.
- One 45 minute paper – Unit 3 (tiered) containing structured questions worth 25% of the overall qualification in June.
P1 Energy and Radiation
- How is heat transferred and what factors affect the rate at which heat is transferred?
- What is meant by the efficient use of energy?
- Why are electrical devices so useful?
- How should we generate the electricity we need?
- What are the uses and hazards of the waves that form the electromagnetic spectrum?
- What are the uses and dangers of emissions from radioactive substances?
- What do we know about the universe and how it continues to change?
P2 Dynamics, Circuit Theory, Radioactivity and The Cosmos
- How can we describe the way things move?
- How do forces make things speed up or slow down?
Here is an activity that lets you land a spacecraft on the Moon and learn how forces affect its motion. - What happens to the movement energy when things speed up or slow down?
- What is momentum?
- What is static electricity, how can it be used and what is the connection between static electricity and electric currents?
- What does the current through an electrical circuit depend on?
Use this simulation of Ohm's Law to find out more. - What is mains electricity and how can it be used safely?
- Why do we need to know the power of electrical appliances?
- What happens to radioactive substances when they decay?
- What are nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?
P3 Mechanics, Sound, Light, Electromagnetism and Stars
- How do forces have a turning effect?
- What keeps bodies moving in a circle?
- What provides the centripetal force for planets and satellites?
- What do mirrors and lenses do to light?
- What is sound?
- What is ultrasound and how can it be used?
- How can electricity be used to make things move?
- How do generators work?
- How do transformers work?
- What is the life history of stars?
General Links
Samples of Pupils' Work
