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.
In Year 12 the AS course follows the AQA Physics ‘A’ syllabus. Those wishing to take the subject further can opt to continue to A2 in Year 13.
The A level course represents a fresh and stimulating approach to Physics that provides all round interest at AS and increased challenge at A2. All students with a desire to learn more about how the universe works are encouraged to take the subject at A level. At AS, in one module we examine the nature of light from the classical and quantum point of view. The other module builds on the mechanics of Newton and a thorough study of electricity.
At A2, girls explore further electromagnetism, nuclear physics, heat and mechanics. All necessary mathematics for the course is done as an integral part of the course. Although it is helpful to take A Level Mathematics with the Physics course, it is not necessary. The Department is well resourced with data logging equipment that provide stimulating activities to support the theory taught
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.