I am currently a Lecturer in Engineering Design at a University, prior to this I worked in secondary schools as a specialist physics teacher. My experience from working at these levels of education has emphasised the need to ensure fundamentals in science are mastered by students for continued success in education & beyond. My resources aim to clearly communicate complex scientific principles through clear visuals and explanations - with well structured tasks to practice what has been learnt.
I am currently a Lecturer in Engineering Design at a University, prior to this I worked in secondary schools as a specialist physics teacher. My experience from working at these levels of education has emphasised the need to ensure fundamentals in science are mastered by students for continued success in education & beyond. My resources aim to clearly communicate complex scientific principles through clear visuals and explanations - with well structured tasks to practice what has been learnt.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Energy Transfer by Conduction' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Choice of two different starters to prompt discussion of heat transfer by conduction. Either looking at cooking using rods through meat or placing ice on different materials to melt.
A series of scenarios are shown involving heat conduction which allow pupils to discuss why things feel hot or cold.
A class experiment is provided which uses different material rods to identify which one conducts heat quickest. The results of this are then discussed with questions to start promoting good scientific investigation skills.
Thermal conductivity is explored by looking at the meaning of each words separately and then together. Pupils are then to put a number of different material in order of thermal conductivity, which is then discussed for common materials which are highly conductive or poorly conductive. This leads onto thermal insulation and some final review questions.
Lesson Objectives:
1) Provide definitions for conductors and insulators.
2) Identify common conductors and insulators and explain in relation to thermal conductivity.
3) Relate thermal conductivity to rate of energy transfer.
4) Explain ways in which rate of heat transfer can be reduced.
2 New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Specific Heat Capacity' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
A choice of two starters, one ask pupils to put a series of fluids in order of which would boil first from the same heat source another poses questions on different volumes of water and boiling and placing hot objects above boiling temperature in water.
A focus on words to inform what specific heat capacity means to help understand the equation and units is given to explain what it meant by specific heat capacity. Questions included for practice of using equation for exam to secure marks in exam. A link to video is provided with prepared questions for pupils to answer.
Specific heat capacity is further detailed with illustrations and comparisons of different substances.
The AQA required practical 1 is provided as part of the lesson (all be it a tricky practical due to likely limited resources for the class), different methodologies are provided (many link to different methods are also in the note box).
A set of review questions and mini-plenary questions conclude the lesson along with an example exam question.
Lesson Objectives:
1) State the relationship between energy, mass and temperature.
2) Explain how different materials affect the amount of energy required in temperature change.
3) Calculate the energy required to change an objects temperature.
4) Re-arrange the required equation appropriately.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Renewable Energy Resources (Solar, Wind, Hydroelectricity, Wave, tidal, geothermal)' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson starts with a series of riddles relating to different types of energy resources.
The need for renewable/alternative energy resources is highlight through questioning regarding previously studied fossil fuels, nuclear power and biofuels.
The different types of renewable energy resources are reviewed for note taking and discussion. Following a summary of key renewable energy resource advantages and disadvantages the pupils are given a writing challenge to compare and contrast different types of energy resources.
The lesson can be done as regular in class lesson or alternatively can be given as webquest for pupils to complete and then slides used for key summary and consolidation.
Lesson Objectives:
1) Explain the need for renewable energy resources.
2) Identify a number of different renewable energy resources.
3) Detail how different energy resources meet our energy demands.
4) Discuss and compare different methods of renewable energy resources, with non renewable resources.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Terminal Velocity' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Objectives:
1) Explain what air resistance is and how it increases.
2) Explain how unbalanced forces cause changes in an objects motion.
3) Detail why an object will reach a maximum velocity.
4) Use a v-t graph to analyse the motion of a Skydiver.
More content to be added to lesson shortly and new worksheets.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on ‘Pressure and Temperature’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Objectives:
- Recall how scientific theory and evidence work together.
- Explain how the observation of ‘Brownian motion’ provides evidence for kinetic theory.
- Relate the effects of changing temperature of a gas to pressure.
- Use knowledge of the relationship of pressure and temperature to different scenarios.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on the generator effect written in line with new AQA Physics specification. All questions provided with answers within power point.
Explain what the generator effect is
Explain how potential difference can be induced in a wire
Identify what affects the size of induced potential difference in a generator
Detail how to deduce the direction of induced current
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on the motor effect written in line with new AQA Physics specification. All questions provided with answers within power point.
Lesson Objectives:
Explain the ‘motor effect’;
Recall and use Flemings left-hand rule
State what is meant by magnetic flux density
Calculate the force on a current carrying wire
Detail how a simple electric motor works
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on the Transformers and the National Grid written in line with new AQA Physics specification. All questions provided with answers within power point.
Lesson Objectives:
Explain the principle behind transformers
Explain how the ratio of the p.d across two coils relates the number coil turns
Calculate the current from the transformer input supply to provide a set power output
Detail the advantages power transmission at high p.d
Complete lesson on 'Wave Properties/Natures of Waves/Measuring Waves' with key content from AQA Physics.
This lesson covers types of waves, parts of waves/characteristics, wave speed equation, terms and starts discussing EM waves.
Starter uses a cryptogram for pupils to solve and produce the key words for the topic
Guidance provided on Slinky demo and questioning to prompt pupils to produce key statements which are later detailed (as common exam questions).
Wave speed question explained and modelled with practice questions.
Task sheet with stretch and challenge questions which can be edited out.
Lesson includes some simple exam style questions which can be used as mini plenaries to link to exams.
More lessons to in same format for P1.
https://www.tes.com/member/Nteach
Experiment planning sheets to provide a structure for pupils to complete.
Helps prepare pupils for science coursework also.
Recommend on printing settings to print '2 pages per sheet' to produce a single sheet per pupil
View other resources for complete GCSE Physics lessons.
https://www.tes.com/member/Nteach
Resources for new GCSE AQA Physics 2016 specification.
Bundled lessons cover the Energy and energy resources content of the GCSE.
This includes:
- Changes in energy stores.
- Conservation of energy.
- Energy and work.
- Gravitational potential, kinetic and elastic potential energy.
- Energy and efficiency.
- Electrical appliances, Energy and Power.
- Energy transfer by conduction.
- Infrared radiation.
- Infrared radiation, surfaces and the Earth.
- Heating and insulation.
- Energy demands, Fossil fuels, Nuclear Power and Biofuels.
- Renewable Energy Resources.
For clear detail on aspects of each lesson please review each lesson bundled into the packaged to ensure it meets your requirements. I hope this gives you and your pupils a great start to the new Physics GCSE.
I do update each lesson in the bundle with new and varied content as I often revisit lessons to further improve them.
New AQA GCSE lesson on Scalars and Vectors (+ Forces) written in line with new GCSE AQA specification. All questions provided with answers within power point.
Starter asks how far away a school is from a home - this prompts responses from pupils that either follow the road or straight across the field. This introduces the idea of distance and displacement which is explained in detail. This is also used to explain magnitude, scalars and vectors. A series of questions review pupils understanding of distance and displacement.
A quick class activity reviews a number of different variables to classify each as scalar or vector.
Speed and Velocity are identified as a scalar and vector by reviewing the equations and then also related to acceleration. This leads to force the representation of force vectors and scale diagrams.
A quick review of forces and different types of forces lead to force interactions and their effects. A set of review questions provides use of force vectors.
Lesson Objectives:
- Explain how displacement and distance are different.
- Identify and explain scalar and vector quantities.
- Identify different types of forces and how these can be represented.
- Explain what the effect of simple force interactions will have on objects.
The ishihara colour blind test in PowerPoint form to provide an in class activity.
10 images are shown which contain a number which depending on vision will present possibility of a colour vision deficiency.
A periodic table made with the the relative atomic mass at the top and the atomic (proton) number listed at the bottom.
Useful for the radioactivity component of the Physics course for writing equations describing alpha and beta decay of atoms.
GCSE Physics P2 lesson on plug wiring and design including key content from AQA Physics exam specification.
Starter begins with a discussion of why we have different plugs around the world, this leads to review of AC/DC current through a brief history of the AC DC current war between Edison and Tesla (not part of exam spec but alternative content for pupils to engage with).
Features of the anatomy of a plug are reviewed and related to safety. This leads to important features of a well wired plug which pupils are then tasked with wiring their own plugs.
Design features and their relation to safety are reviewed leading to summary questions.
Summary questions included.
More P2 to come.
A Christmas Science Quiz to finish a hard term with to have a bit of fun with the class and at the same time still doing work in class relevant to Science.
2 quizzes to use, one basic and one extended.
Basic Quiz contains 5 rounds:
1)Biology Trivia (5 questions)
2)Chemistry Trivia (5 questions)
3) Physics Trivia (5 questions)
4) What is under the microscope? (10 questions)
5) Who is the Secret Scientist Santa? (5 questions)
With some bonus questions between each round. (5 questions)
Extended Quiz contains 6 rounds:
1)Biology Trivia (10 questions)
2)Chemistry Trivia (10 questions)
3) Physics Trivia (10 questions)
4) What is under the microscope? (10 questions)
5) Who is the Secret Scientist Santa? (5 questions)
6) What is the pix-elated piece of science equipment? (5 questions)
With some bonus questions between each round.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on ‘Velocity - time graphs’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Starter prompts pupils to discuss what would win a race, a sports car on the road or a car falling from the sky in a mile race. Pupils are then asked to put cars in order acceleration in terms of 0-60 mph.
The difference between speed and velocity is highlighted.
A class activity uses a video car chase for pupils to time the duration of different events which is then used to create a velocity time graph. This allows for the v-t graph to be discussed in terms of what the trends show.
Key v-t graph trends are highlighted and reviewed with how gradients of v-t graphs can give acceleration. Pupils are then tasked to answer questions in relation to the v-t graph from the car chase video.
A quick task requires pupils to match v-t graph trends with d-t graph trends.
The plenary takes a look at a v-t graph for a sky diver to start discussing this area.
Lesson Objectives:
Plot a v-t graph.
Identify key v-t graph trends.
Use the gradient of a v-t graph to calculate the acceleration of an object.
Analyse motion of a body using a v-t graph.
Complete AQA GCSE Physics lessons on Electric Charges and Fields.
Starter begins with discussion of a popular lightning myth/misconception which will be revisited at the end of the lesson. The structure of the atom is reviewed leading to how atoms can gain a charge and therefore how objects can become charged. The main consists of two simple experiments for pupils to do using safe and simple equipment to explore statics. Students also explore electric fields which exist around charge objects and draw these (as required by new specification)
Questions on the Van der Graaf are included with links to videos and a simulator if the teacher doesn't have access to a Van der Graaf.
Lesson is consolidated by revisiting the starter reviewing pupil knowledge and also through exam style questions based on the specification and style of sample exam papers content.
Lesson Objectives:
1) Describe the structure of the atoms. (D)
2) Explain how an atom can be ‘charged’ and how an object can have a ‘charge’ (C)
3) Investigate how charged objects interact with each other due to electric fields. (B)
4)Apply you knowledge of ‘charges’ to explain static electricity. (A)
Note: This lesson is formatted is similar content to previosuly listed 'Statics lesson' but in the new Nteach style and also with new content relevant to the new specification for AQA GCSE Physics. The lesson will be updated as all lessons are as I create new , engaging and challenging content relevant to the subject.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Conservation of energy' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lessons starts with a 'energy store' description in regards to a pendulum (using interesting animations) which consolidates the previous lessons on energy stores.
The swinging pendulum back towards the face is used as the vehicle to discuss conservation of energy, posing the question 'will you be hit in the face when the pendulum swings back?'. Students are led to an experiment to investigate a pendulum swing using basic lab equipment (clamp, string and mass for end of pendulum, can use a bobbin or plasticine) to make observations. This allows for an informed discussion and conclusion to be made to the original question.
Energy in closed systems are explained with the reason for them to be used in science, open systems are also looked at in order to allow contrast. The conservation of energy is summarised through discussion of systems which lead to comparing and contrasting a bouncy ball and also bungee jumps in relation to changes in energy stores and conservation of energy.
Lesson Objectives:
1) Use ideas about changes in energy stores to explain a pendulum swinging.
2) State what the ‘conservation of energy’ is and explain why conservation of energy is important.
3) Explain what is meant by a ‘closed system’ and how they are used in science.
4) Compare and contrast changes to energy stores between closed and open systems