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.
GCSE AQA Physics lesson on Parallel Circuits including key content from AQA Physics exam specification.
Starter uses 'Taboo' game to review the topic of electric circuits using cards in Taboo sheet, need cutting into cards beforehand.
Following recap of key electric terms an animated model is used to compare series and parallel circuits.
An experiment requires 6 simple parallel circuits to be built by pupils to investigate parallel circuits, this is then summarised. (Support sheet included for pupils that may struggle drawing circuits)
A collection of question applies parallel circuit rules to problems.
Plenary uses a written task in the style of a 6 mark exam question which can then be peer marked by pupils.
1) Review series circuits rules (D)
2) Explain the circuit rules for components in parallel circuits. (C)
3) Investigate potential difference and current in parallel circuits. (B)
4) Apply the parallel circuit rules to problems. (A)
Note: This lesson is formatted is similar content to previously listed 'Parallel Circuits' 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 ‘Density, Mass and Volume’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Outline:
Nice simple starter asks pupils to list objects in order of density. Density is then clearly explained with visual effects to provide an example with a definition. Volume is also explained with comparative visuals. This lead to density being considered with volume and then both considered to produce mass - leading m=ρV. Some review questions practice the use of this equation.
Pupils are tasked with finding the density of different objects provided by the teacher (simple shapes of common materials required). REQUIRED PRACTICAL 5
To continue the lesson the story of Archimedes and the gold crown is told featuring some key questioning for pupils. This then leads to pupils finding the density of irregular shaped objects by ‘displacement technique’ (REQUIRED PRACTICAL 5).
To further extend pupil knowledge Archimedes principle of displacement is further explored with floating objects such as ships in water, icebergs and ice on water.
Lesson Objectives:
- State and explain the properties called volume, density and mass.
- Use the density equation to calculate different properties of objects.
- Describe in detail experiments to identify an objects density.
- Explain how large objects such as ships float in water.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Moments, Gear and Equilibrium' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
ALL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS INCLUDED IN POWERPOINT
Starter poses the common question of how easy is it to open a door close to the hinge point which makes a very fun class demo and nicely leads into the lesson on moments,
A variety of simple devices that make use of levers is shown to identify what they all have in common which highlight they all produce a great turning effect/force.
Two experiments are provided to investigate either applied force and turning effect or distance from pivot and turning effect. This helps pupils identify the two contributing factors to moments and therefore the equation. A series of question practice use of the the moment equation.
Balanced moments and equilibrium is explained in relation to a see-saw and then explained with the equation allowing for review question to be completed. An exam question is provided also.
Further a small section on gears is included to relate the principles of moments to gears. Firstly pulleys are shown to make it more easily related to moments which is then directly shown with gears. The use of high gears and low gears with vehicles is explained. (I will revisit this aspect to integrate firmly into the main lesson).
Lesson Objectives:
- Define what is meant by a ‘moment’ and its units.
- Resolve simple moment problems with the moment equation.
- Explain how moments can be increased and how they can be useful.
- Apply the principle of moments to gears and their uses.
- Resolve moments in equilibrium.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Resultant Forces ' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Objectives:
1) State what a resultant force is.
2) Explain what happens if the resultant force on an object is zero or not zero.
3) Formulate the resultant forces acting on an object.
4) Apply your forces knowledge to DANCE.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on ’ Pressure and Surfaces’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification. All questions provided with answers within power point.
Starter looks at a balloon being pressed down onto a bed of nails - details of how to set this up simply with thumbtacks (obvious as it is) can be found in the notes box.
Following this a problem of dog trapped on thin ice is presented for pupils to come up with potential rescue attempts to avoid breaking the ice. The concept of pressure is consolidated with the example of thumb tack being pressed into a wall - the equation for pressure is then detailed.
To make use of the pressure equation an elephant and person in stiletto heels are compared mathematically to find which exerts the greatest pressure. Pupils are then guided to calculate the amount of pressure they exert onto the floor whilst standing.
The lesson is concluded with a set of review question.
Lesson Objectives:
- State what pressure is and be able to calculate it.
- Identify the units for pressure.
- Explain the relationship between pressure, force and area.
- Apply knowledge of pressure to different problems.
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 ‘Expanding Universe & Fate of our Universe’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Objectives:
Discuss different ideas about how the Universe was created.
State what is meant by a theory.
Explain the Big Bang Theory and supporting evidence.
4)Apply your physics knowledge to red-shift and blue-shift.
Discuss the different possible fates of the Universe.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Pressure and Volume' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Objectives:
- Explain the effects of changing pressure on volume of a gas (and vice versa).
- Use the equation ‘PV=constant’ (Boyle’s Law) to solve problems.
- Correctly explain trends in terms of proportionality.
- Explain the effects of quickly compressing a gas on temperature.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on ‘Life history of a star & formation of a solar system’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Objectives:
Explain how a star is born.
Recall and detail the different stages in a stars life cycle.
Explain how different elements are formed.
Explain how the solar system formed.
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
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.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Momentum' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Objectives:
1) State what momentum is.
2) Relate momentum to mass and velocity.
3) Calculate the momentum of an object with correct units.
4) Apply the conservation of momentum to 2 objects colliding or exploding.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Electromagnetic Spectrum' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Objectives:
1) Identify the different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
2) Identify the order of EM waves based on wavelengths, frequency & energy.
3) Identify orders of magnitude (size) of different EM wavelengths.
4) Explain the use of different EM waves.
5) Evaluate and discuss the potential risk of using mobile phones.
A complete and detailed lesson on Radioactivity, focusing on atomic structure, alpha particles, beta particles and gamma radiation. (created with AQA specification content).
Lesson Objectives:
- Recall and detail the basic structure of an atom.
- Relate number of protons, electrons and neutrons to mass and atomic numbers.
- Explain how atoms form ions & identify the isotopes of different elements.
- Explain radioactivity in terms of alpha, beta and gamma radiation.
The lesson guides pupils very clearly through exactly what radioactivity is by starting with the atom and so isotopes.
Starter prompts pupils to find the key words for the lesson using a ‘say what you see’ game.
Following a review of the atoms structure and properties through questioning. A task exploring the periodic table using relative atomic mass and atomic number familiarises pupils with these as they are important later.
Ions are reviewed through a task using visuals of atoms/ions to identify ions or atoms with appropriate charge. This then leads onto explaining what isotopes which can then be linked to unstable elements.
Radioactivity is then explained through a basic description relating to like charges of protons in the nucleus and the required binding energy to hold the nucleus together.
Alpha, Beta and Gamma are then reviewed with visuals of the process to relate to pupils clearly what happens.
A literacy task summarises and reviews the lesson.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on ’ Using Lenses’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification. All questions provided with answers within power point.
Lesson Objectives:
- Draw ray diagrams using lens symbols.
- Explain what is meant by the position and nature of an image.
- Detail how to find the position of an image formed by a lens using a ray diagram
- Construct ray diagrams to explain how lenses correct vision.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Light and Colour ’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Objectives:
Identify what is meant by the visible light spectrum.
Detail the different colours on the visible light spectrum and relate to wavelength.
Explain how surfaces appear to be certain colours.
Compare and contrast translucent and transparent objects and their interaction with light.
(upated 07/11/2019)
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on ’ Pressure in Liquids’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification. All questions provided with answers within power point.
The lesson starts with a question on the dangers presented to deep sea divers.
How liquids exert a pressure is demonstrated with a visual of a series of containers with different heights of liquid inside whilst highlighting the liquid has mass and therefore weight - this is then linked back to pressure = force/area.
The importance of height in relation to pressure is further reviewed with a water bottle that has holes at different heights - the water jets shooting out is then discussed.
Finally reviewing the importance of density to mass to weight and therefore pressure leads to the formation of the equation, P= ρgh - practice of the use of the equation is provided by looking at the pressure beneath the sea at different depths.
The dangers of deep sea scuba diving are again discussed with the lesson knowledge gained.
The lesson is concluded with a set of review question.
Lesson Objectives:
- Explain how a liquid exerts a pressure.
- Explain how pressure exerted by a liquid can be increased.
- Explain how pressure varies at different points in liquid.
- Calculate the pressure in a liquid column.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on ’ Atmospheric Pressure’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification. All questions provided with answers within power point.
Learning objectives:
- Explain what atmospheric pressure is.
- Describe a simple model of earth atmosphere and atmospheric pressure.
- Identify how atmospheric pressure changes with altitude.
- Carry out calculations with atmospheric pressure at different altitudes.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Atomic model, Plum pudding and Bohr's model of the atom ' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Objectives:
1) Explain how and why ideas in Science change over time.
2) Identify and explain the conclusions from the alpha scattering experiment.
3) Explain why the new evidence from the scattering experiment led to a change in the atomic model.
4) Compare and contrast the plum pudding model of the atom and the nuclear model of the atom.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Refraction of Light ' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Objectives:
1) Detail steps to investigate how light travels through materials.
2) Investigate how light travels through materials.
3) Describe what happens to waves when they travel through materials of different densities.
4)Draw ray diagrams to show refraction of light through a glass blocks.
5) Use knowledge of refraction to explain phenomena of light travelling between boundaries.