Physics

Jump to: Pre-Q | NCEA Level 2 | AS Level | NCEA Level 3 | A Level

Introduction

Physics is an essential area of knowledge for boys looking to study engineering, medicine, robotics, artificial intelligence, chemistry, oceanography, geophysics, astronomy and many more. Physics teaches students how the building blocks of the universe work and gives them the potential to make huge technological advances.

Physics Tournament

Auckland Grammar School students are successful in National and International competitions. They regularly win the New Zealand Young Physicists tournament and represent New Zealand in the International Young Physicists tournament. In addition, Auckland Grammar students won the Senior and Junior divisions of the New Zealand Physics and Mathematics tournament in 2022.

Form 5 (Pre-Q)

Prerequisites: A background in Auckland Grammar Form 4 Science is assumed and a strong understanding in Mathematics is an advantage.

Course description/aims:

Physics is the fundamental science that enables students to explain the how and why of the increasingly technological world we live in. The Auckland Grammar School syllabus teaches the main concepts of the study of matter, force, energy, electricity, space physics and the structure of atoms found in all rigorous physics courses. These concepts are illustrated with current applications and reinforced with relevant practical work. Students learn to communicate effectively, collaborate, and become aware of the ethical, environmental, economic, cultural, and social impacts of physics in their lives. This course ensures students gain skills which are transferable to most future career paths and allows them to be better equipped to engage with a range of scientific issues.

Candidates who successfully study Physics in Form 5 can continue to study Physics through Cambridge Assessment International Education at AS and A Level or through NCEA Level 2 and Level 3 Physics.

Course outline:

• Topic 1 – General Physics: Measurement, base units and S.I. units, experimental techniques, graph plotting, scalars and vectors.
• Topic 2 – Motion and Force: Kinematics, suvat equations of motion, velocity, acceleration, mass, weight, density, effects of force, centripetal force, conditions for equilibrium, moments, centre of mass, momentum, energy, energy resources, efficiency, work, power, and pressure
• Topic 3 – Thermal Physics: States of matter, particle models, evaporation, gas pressure changes, gas laws, thermal expansion, temperature measurement, thermal capacity, melting and boiling, transfer of heat, conduction, convection, and radiation.
• Topic 4 – Properties of Waves: General wave properties, light, refraction of light, converging lenses, dispersion of light, the electromagnetic spectrum, sound, and hearing
• Topic 5 – Electricity and Magnetism: Simple phenomena of magnetism, electric charge, current, electromotive force, potential difference, resistance, electrical energy, circuit diagrams, series and parallel circuits, action and use of components, dangers of electricity, electromagnetic induction, AC generators, transformers, magnetic effects of a current, force on a current carrying conductor and DC motors.
• Topic 6 – Atomic Physics: Radioactivity, characteristics of radioactive emissions, radioactive decay, half-life, safety precautions, the nuclear model of the atom
• Topic 7 – Space Physics: Earth and the solar system, stars, and the universe

Methods of assessment: Regular formative assessment of both theoretical and practical work will occur throughout the course.

Students sit three School examinations. The structure of the examinations will include a multiple-choice paper, short answer theoretical questions and alternative to practical data analysis and experimental design questions. The Pre-Q course does not include an external examination. All examinations are set, marked and moderated by the team of Physics teachers at the School.

Special equipment and costs: Theory and question workbooks each term, plus a practical workbook for a total cost of $20 for the year.

Continuation of subject: The study of Physics continues into Forms 6 and 7 through the Cambridge AS and A2 courses as well as NCEA Levels 2 and 3. Pre-Q Physics is a prerequisite for the study of Physics in Form 6 and 7. Physics is also a prerequisite for the study of many courses at university, technical institutes and a range of careers.

Form 6 (NCEA Level 2)

Prerequisites: Form 5 Science or Pre-Q Physics. Confident use of Mathematics is an advantage with all students taking Form 6 Mathematics to assist with their study of Physics.

Recommended achievement levels:

• Students who have achieved over 50% in the final Pre-Q Physics examination, together with over 50% in Pre-Q Mathematics examination, have demonstrated an appropriate achievement level to study Form 6 Physics
• Students who have achieved 40-50% in the final Pre-Q Physics examination, or 45-55% in the final Pre-Q Mathematics examination will find NCEA Level 2 Physics demanding (these students will find Cambridge Assessment examinations very difficult)
• Students who have achieved less than 45% in the Pre-Q Physics examination or less than 45% in Pre-Q Mathematics examination often need additional help to pass Form 6 Physics

Course description/aims: Physics is the fundamental science that enables us to explain the how and why of the increasingly technological world we live in. The Auckland Grammar School syllabus teaches the main concepts of the study of matter, force, energy, electricity, space physics and the structure of atoms found in all rigorous Physics courses. These concepts are illustrated with current applications and reinforced with relevant practical work. Students learn to communicate effectively, collaborate, and become aware of the ethical, environmental, economic, cultural, and social impacts of Physics in their lives. This course ensures students gain skills which are transferable to most future career paths and allows them to be better equipped to engage with a range of scientific issues.

Course outline:

• Part 1: Experimental methods, kinematics, vectors, force, moments, momentum, energy, free fall, projectiles, atomic models, radioactivity, nuclear reactions, nuclear fission, and fusion
• Part 2: Circular motion and gravitation, propagation of light, wave properties, reflection, images produced by mirrors and lenses, refraction, diffraction of waves and interference
• Part 3: Electric charge, electric field, DC electricity, resistor circuits, magnetic fields, dc motors, electromagnetic induction, and generation of electricity

Methods of assessment: Students will sit three School examinations. Approximately 20 experiments are performed, written up, and marked during each year. Regular progress tests are set and marked to give frequent formative feedback to students.

NCEA Level 2 Achievement Standards that students will be prepared for include:

• 2.1 – Carry out a practical physics investigation that leads to a non-linear mathematical relationship [4 Credits, Internal]
• 2.3 – Demonstrate understanding of waves [4 Credits, External]
• 2.4 – Demonstrate understanding of mechanics [6 Credits, External]
• 2.5 – Demonstrate understanding of atomic and nuclear physics [3 Credits, Internal]
• 2.6 – Demonstrate understanding of electricity and electromagnetism [6 Credits, External]

Special equipment and costs: NCEA externally published workbook for internal and external standards (approx. $25), and an Education Perfect online subscription ($20).

Continuation of subject: Physics continues onto Form 7 NCEA Level 3 Physics, which is a prerequisite for courses at universities, technical institutes, and other careers.

Form 6 (AS)

Prerequisites: Form 5 Pre-Q Physics. A strong ability in Mathematics is an advantage, and all students should be taking Cambridge AS or A Level Mathematics.

Recommended achievement levels: Students who wish to study Cambridge Assessment AS Physics should have scored more than 55% in School examinations each term and gained 55% or higher in the final Pre-Q examinations.

Course description/aims: Physics is the fundamental science that enables us to explain the how and why of the increasingly technological world we live in. The Auckland Grammar School syllabus teaches the main concepts of the study of matter, force, energy, electricity, space physics and the structure of atoms found in all rigorous Physics courses. These concepts are illustrated with current applications and reinforced with relevant practical work. Students learn to communicate effectively, collaborate, and become aware of the ethical, environmental, economic, cultural, and social impacts of Physics in their lives. This course ensures students gain skills which are transferable to most future career paths and allows them to be better equipped to engage with a range of scientific issues.

Course outline: The subject content of the Cambridge course is divided into two segments (AS and A2). This AS course is the first year of the Cambridge syllabus. The topics studied during the AS Physics course are listed below:

• Physical quantities and units
• Kinematics
• Dynamics
• Forces, density, and pressure
• Work, energy and power.
• Deformation of solids
• Waves
• Superposition
• Electricity
• D. C. circuits
• Particle/nuclear physics

AS Level candidates also study practical skills.

Methods of assessment:

Internal Assessment: Students will sit three School examinations. Approximately 20 experiments are performed, written up and marked during each year.  Practical examinations are undertaken each term and contribute towards the examination mark awarded each term. Formative assessments are sat in each part of the course.

External Assessment: Students are prepared for the Cambridge Advanced Subsidiary (AS) examination (Syllabus 9702 AS). The Cambridge AS format is:

• Paper 1 [1 hour, 15 mins] – 40 multiple choice questions, 31% of Cambridge AS course mark
• Paper 2 [1 hour, 15 mins] – structured questions, 46% of Cambridge AS course mark
• Paper 3 [2 hours] – advanced practical skills, 23% of Cambridge AS course mark

Special equipment and costs: Hardcover lab book required. Theory, practical and question workbooks costs $20 for the year.

Continuation of subject: Physics AS Level continues onto Form 7 Cambridge A Level Physics, which is a prerequisite for courses at universities, technical institutes, and other careers.

Form 7 (NCEA Level 3)

Prerequisites: Form 6 Physics at AS or NCEA Level 2 and Mathematics

Recommended achievement levels:

• Students who have achieved over 55% in the final Form 6 Physics School examinations have an appropriate achievement level to study Form 7 Physics
• Students who have achieved 45-55% in the final Form 6 Physics School examinations will find Form 7 Physics difficult
• Students who have achieved less than 45% in the final Form 6 Physics School examinations are not recommended to take Form 7 Physics

Course description/aims: Physics is the fundamental science that enables us to explain the how and why of the increasingly technological world we live in. The AGS syllabus teaches the main concepts of the study of matter, force, energy, electricity, space physics and the structure of atoms found in all rigorous physics courses. These concepts are illustrated with current applications and reinforced with relevant practical work. Students learn to communicate effectively, collaborate, and become aware of the ethical, environmental, economic, cultural, and social impacts of Physics in their lives. This course ensures students gain skills which are transferable to most future career paths and allows them to be better equipped to engage with a range of scientific issues.

Physics is the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. The subject matter of Physics includes mechanics, heat, light and other radiation, sound, electricity, magnetism, and the structure of atoms. It is the basis for most of the modern advances in technology, electronics, and computers.

Course outline:

• Part 1: Experimental methods, kinematics, force, circular motion, rotational kinematics, and Modern physics (photoelectric effect, atomic spectra, nuclear reactions)
• Part 2: Simple harmonic motion, progressive and standing waves, diffraction, interference, the Doppler Effect, and magnetism
• Part 3: Kirchhoff’s laws, capacitors and inductors in dc circuits, Faraday’s, and Lenz’s laws for electromagnetic induction, alternating current, reactance, impedance and energy stored in capacitors and inductors

Methods of assessment:

Internal Assessment: Students sit three School examinations. Approximately 20 experiments are performed and written up during each year. Problem assignments are set and marked. Regular progress tests are set and marked to give frequent formative feedback to students.

External Assessment:

• 3.1 – Carry out a practical investigation to test a physical theory relating two variables in a non-linear relationship [4 Credits, Internal]
• 3.3 – Demonstrate understanding of wave systems [4 Credits, External]
• 3.4 – Demonstrate understanding of mechanical systems [4 Credits, External]
• 3.5 – Demonstrate understanding of modern Physics [3 Credits, Internal]
• 3.6 – Demonstrate understanding of electrical systems [6 Credits, External]

Special equipment and costs: NCEA externally published workbook for internal and external standards ($25) and an Education Perfect online subscription ($20).

Form 7 (A Level)

Prerequisites: Form 6 Physics (Cambridge AS) and AS or A Level Mathematics.

Recommended achievement levels: Students who wish to sit Cambridge A Level examinations should pass Cambridge AS Level in Form 6, with an A to C Grade. It is possible to be accepted onto Cambridge A Level course with a D or E Grade from Cambridge AS, but these students must repeat Cambridge AS in the May/June Examination Series during Form 7 to try to gain an improved Cambridge AS grade. Students who fail the Cambridge AS course and still need Physics for their career choice may be accepted into NCEA Level 3.

Course description/aims: Physics is the fundamental science that enables students to explain the how and why of the increasingly technological world we live in. The AGS syllabus teaches the main concepts of the study of matter, force, energy, electricity, space physics and the structure of atoms found in all rigorous Physics courses. These concepts are illustrated with current applications and reinforced with relevant practical work. Students learn to communicate effectively, collaborate, and become aware of the ethical, environmental, economic, cultural, and social impacts of Physics in their lives. This course ensures students gain skills which are transferable to most future career paths and allows them to be better equipped to engage with a range of scientific issues.

Course outline: The subject content of the Cambridge course is divided into two parts, Cambridge AS and Cambridge A Level. Candidates for Cambridge International A Level Physics study the AS Level topics and the following A Level topics:

• Motion in a circle
• Gravitational fields
• Temperature
• Ideal gases
• Thermodynamics
• Oscillations
• Electric fields
• Capacitance
• Magnetic fields
• Alternating currents
• Quantum physics
• Nuclear physics
• Medical physics
• Astronomy and cosmology

A Level candidates also study practical skills.

Methods of assessment:

Internal Assessment: Students will sit three School examinations. Approximately 20 experiments are performed, written up and marked during each year.  Practical design and data analysis examinations are undertaken each term and contribute towards the examination mark awarded each term. Formative assessments are sat in each part of the course to provide regular feedback on progress.

External Assessment: Students are prepared for the Cambridge Advanced Level examination (Syllabus 9702). The Cambridge A Level examination format is:

• Paper 4 [2 hours] – structured questions, 38.5% of Cambridge A Level course mark
• Paper 5 [1 hour, 15 mins] – practical skills, planning, analysis, and evaluation, 11.5% of Cambridge A Level course mark

Note: Marks from Cambridge AS examinations contribute 50% to the final A Level mark. It is possible to resit the Cambridge AS examinations in the May/June Examination Series of Form 7 to try to improve marks but most A Level classes only teach the A Level course to students so self-study for the examination is required. Students cannot sit single papers on either the first occasion or for resit purposes.

Special equipment and costs: Hardcover lab book required. Theory, practical and question workbooks costs $20 for the year.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our staff today.