Physics
It is easy to be left behind in a technological world that is changing fast. A grasp of basic physics provides the necessary understanding that will enable active participation in this dynamic world.
The GCSE Physics Course at AESG, and the Physics component of the Dual Award course, both make full use of the latest applications to make Physics a highly up to date and more relevant subject. It is an exciting time as Physics plays an increasingly important role in our everyday lives. Whether there is a wish to study Physics to a further level or not, the girls acquire a better understanding of the changes that are occurring around them and can participate in an informed way.
The Department teaches the AQA Triple award Physics to GCSE. It also covers the Physics element of the Dual Award Science course. At GCSE level Physics is taught in the context of the world around us and numerous practical examples are used in problem solving and developing ideas. The new syllabus includes an exciting section on Medical Physics which is one of the fastest developing topics. The course develops an excellent basic understanding of the physical world around us. It provides the key to survival as technology surges on. A good pass in GCSE Physics gives recognition of scientific ability and understanding which unlocks a large number of doors to future careers. The course provides a solid foundation for scientific study at A Level.
Fascinating FactsFascinating Facts
All the matter that makes up the human race could fit in a sugar cube
Atoms are 99.9999999999999 per cent empty space. As Tom Stoppard put it: "Make a fist, and if your fist is as big as the nucleus of an atom, then the atom is as big as St Paul's, and if it happens to be a hydrogen atom, then it has a single electron flitting about like a moth in an empty cathedral, now by the dome, now by the altar."
Almost all the Universe is missing
There are probably more than 100 billion galaxies in the cosmos. Each of those galaxies has between 10 million and a trillion stars in it. Our sun, a rather small and feeble star (a “yellow dwarf”), weighs around a billion, billion, billion tons, and most are much bigger. There is an awful lot of visible matter in the Universe. But it only accounts for about two per cent of its mass. We know there is more, because it has gravity. Despite the huge amount of visible matter, it is nowhere near enough to account for the gravitational pull we can see exerted on other galaxies.
Black holes aren’t black
They’re very dark but they aren’t black. They glow, slightly, giving off light across the whole spectrum, including visible light.