Level 2 Physics
L2PHYS Course DescriptionHead of Faculty/Teacher in Charge: Mr S. Fairbrother.
Recommended Prior LearningTo be accepted for this course, students should have:
- Earned 10 or more Level 1 Science credits, and
- Achieved the PESS 1.2 - Physics investigation standard, and
- Achieved the MATH 1.2 - Mathematical methods standard, and
- Achieved the MATH 1.4 - Numerical reasoning standard, and
- Achieved the reading, writing, and numeracy corequisites
Students not meeting all of these requirements may be accepted for entry subject to HOF/TiC approval.
Level 2 Physics is aimed at helping learners understand the physical world in which we live and have a context for the technologies that we use in daily life. This course builds on the foundational concepts introduced in Level 1 and covers a range of topics that deepen students' understanding of physical principles and their applications.
Topics include:
Atomic and Nuclear Physics - a model of the atom, radioactivity, and nuclear reactions.
Electricity and Electromagnetism - Static electricity, DC electricity, and electromagnetism.
Mechanics - Newton’s Laws of Motion, force, motion, momentum, and energy.
Physics Investigation – conduct an experiment that investigates a non-linear physics relationship.
Waves - properties of light and sound waves, reflection in mirrors, and refraction through lenses.
Course Overview
What is taught in courses varies from year to year. This course could include:
PHY 2.5 - Atomic and nuclear physics (internal). Students will learn about the evolution of the models of the atom with emphasis on the gold foil experiment and Rutherford's subsequent development of the nuclear model of the atom. The course then explores the causes of radioactivity and the common radiation emitted by radioactive substances. Finally, students will learn about the different types of nuclear reactions and how to calculate the energy released in a nuclear reaction.
PHY 2.3 - Waves (external). Students will learn about wave theory as it applies to electromagnetic and sound waves. This includes describing the characteristics of waves, calculating wave properties and exploring how waves interact with each other. Students then learn about the reflection and refraction of light waves when they interact with mirrors, prisms and lenses.
PHY 2.4 - Mechanics (external). Students will learn about the mechanics of objects moving in translational and circular motion, and objects in equilibrium. This includes solving problems involving projectile motion, momentum, torque and energy.
PHY 2.1 - Physics investigation (internal). Students will apply knowledge from the Mechanics course to investigate the motion of an object moving in a non-linear manner. This will include learning practical investigation techniques as well as graphical and numerical analysis of real-world data.
PHY 2.6 - Electricity and electromagnetism (external). Students will learn about the behaviour of electric fields and the interaction of charged particles with these fields. The course then explores combined series and parallel DC electrical circuits used in everyday life. Finally, students will explore electromagnetic induction and learn how it is used to generate electricity and produce force for electric motors.
Assessment Information
PHY 2.5 - Atomic and nuclear physics. Assessed by an in-class test once learning has been completed.
PHY 2.3 - Waves. Assessed by an external examination at the end of the year.
PHY 2.4 - Mechanics. Assessed by an external examination at the end of the year.
PHY 2.1 - Physics investigation. Assessed by a written report once learning has been completed.
PHY 2.6 - Electricity and electromagnetism. Assessed by an external examination at the end of the year.
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Contributions and Equipment/StationeryStationery for note taking, computer, and the 'Physics 2' write-on note book.