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 'EM spectrum details' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Objectives:
1) Recall the different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of wavelength, frequency and energy.
2) Explain in detail with different uses up to 4 EM waves.
3)Explain in detail with different uses of all 4 EM waves.
4) Evaluate and discuss the potential risk of using mobile phones.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Radioactivity and Half-life ' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Starter poses two interesting questions in relation to a continuous doubling effect linking to the mathematics of the lesson and inverse of half-life.
A quick recap on isotopes and different types of radiation is provided to keep key concepts in pupils minds.
The coin flip (heads or tails) activity is detailed to get students to carry out this activity and collect data to plot the results from to show a 'half-life curve'. Following the explanation of random events the pupils are given the task of recording nuclear decays in relation to video shown on youtube. This then allows a direct link to be made to a half-life graph to nuclear decay. This then leads to the review of half-life graph review questions.
Learning Objectives for Half-life lesson:
1) Review what is meant by isotope and how this is radioactive.
2) Understand the ‘random’ nature of radioactive decay.
3) State and explain what is meant by ‘half-life’.
4) Determine the half-life of different isotopes using given information.
The lesson is summarised with review questions on the content covered.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on ’ Reflection and Refraction of Waves’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification. All questions provided with answers within power point.
Includes PowerPoint, 3 task sh
Lesson Objectives:
State what is meant by reflection of a wave.
State what is meant by refraction of a wave.
Explain how ‘incident waves’ relate to ‘reflected waves’.
Identify and explain properties of waves that change due to refraction.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Nuclear Fusion ’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Objectives:
State and explain what is meant by Nuclear Fusion.
Explain the process of nuclear fusion.
Identify the reactants and products in a nuclear fusion reaction.
Write nuclear fusion reactions.
Apply knowledge of nuclear fusion and fission to compare and contrast both methods for generating electricity.
2 COMPLETE LESSONS ON NUCLEAR RADIATION.
A complete and detailed lesson on Radioactivity, focusing on the properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiation & a second lesson on uses of nuclear radiation (created with AQA and Edexcel specification content).
PROPERTIES OF NUCLEAR RADIATION
1) Review the characteristics of the 3 types of nuclear radiation.
2) Identify the penetrating power and range of type of radiation.
3) Explain what is meant by ionising radiation and relate to the three types and applications of this.
4) Compare and contrast the effect of magnetic and electric fields of nuclear radiation.
Pupils are prompted to post questions they have on nuclear radiation so far and in general which can be discussed by the class to serve as some recap on the previous lesson, deal with misconceptions and highlight progress when these may be answered during the lesson (and previous lessons).
Pupils recap the content of the previous lesson on the characteristics of the 3 types of radiation as this is important to the current lesson and exercises their knowledge on the subject.
Penetrating power and range of the types of radiation is covered in detail using animations.
Ionisation is reviewed by challenging pupils through questioning relating to previous content. This is then related to radiation and the types ability to ionise atoms. This lead to descriptions of photographic film and a detailed description of how the geiger-muller counter work with a bespoke animation to assist this.
Deflection of radiation is covered through questioning using clear imagery and animations to support pupils. This leads to literacy based task for pupils to compare and contrast different types of radiation and their path through an electric field.
The lesson is summarised with review questions on the content covered.
USES OF NUCLEAR RADIATION
1) Review the properties of the 3 types of nuclear radiation.
2) Identify that nuclear radiation can be dangerous and useful.
3) Explain in detail one or two applications of nuclear radiation.
4) Apply your knowledge of nuclear radiation to exam questions.
Applications explored in detail: geiger-muller counter, x-rays, badges, automatic thickness monitoring, traces, smoke alarms, carbon dating and uranium dating.
More Radioactivity lessons to come shortly.
A complete and detailed lesson on Radioactivity, focusing on the properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiation & a second lesson on uses of nuclear radiation (created with AQA and Edexcel specification content).
PROPERTIES OF NUCLEAR RADIATION
1) Review the characteristics of the 3 types of nuclear radiation.
2) Identify the penetrating power and range of type of radiation.
3) Explain what is meant by ionising radiation and relate to the three types and applications of this.
4) Compare and contrast the effect of magnetic and electric fields of nuclear radiation.
Pupils are prompted to post questions they have on nuclear radiation so far and in general which can be discussed by the class to serve as some recap on the previous lesson, deal with misconceptions and highlight progress when these may be answered during the lesson (and previous lessons).
Pupils recap the content of the previous lesson on the characteristics of the 3 types of radiation as this is important to the current lesson and exercises their knowledge on the subject.
Penetrating power and range of the types of radiation is covered in detail using animations.
Ionisation is reviewed by challenging pupils through questioning relating to previous content. This is then related to radiation and the types ability to ionise atoms. This lead to descriptions of photographic film and a detailed description of how the geiger-muller counter work with a bespoke animation to assist this.
Deflection of radiation is covered through questioning using clear imagery and animations to support pupils. This leads to literacy based task for pupils to compare and contrast different types of radiation and their path through an electric field.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on ’ Atmospheric Pressure’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification. All questions provided with answers within power point.
(Required for GCSE Physics only Higher tier)
Lesson Objectives:
- Explain how upthrust acts on an object in a fluid.
- Identify the key factors that contribute to upthrust of an object in a fluid.
- Relate pressure in a fluid to upthrust.
- Predict whether a variety of objects will float or sink.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on ’ Ultrasound’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification. All questions provided with answers within power point.
Lesson Objectives:
State what ultrasound waves are
State what happens to an ultrasound wave when it meets a boundary
Explain how ultrasound waves can be used to find how far away something is
Detail how ultrasound can be used in medicine & industrial imaging
The lesson is summarised with review questions on the content covered.
USES OF NUCLEAR RADIATION
1) Review the properties of the 3 types of nuclear radiation.
2) Identify that nuclear radiation can be dangerous and useful.
3) Explain in detail one or two applications of nuclear radiation.
4) Apply your knowledge of nuclear radiation to exam questions.
Applications explored in detail: geiger-muller counter, x-rays, badges, automatic thickness monitoring, traces, smoke alarms, carbon dating and uranium dating.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on ‘distance - time graphs’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Objectives:
Describe what a distance-time graph can tell you.
Identify different distance-time graph trends.
Use the gradient of a distance-time graph for speed calculations.
Calculate velocities from distance time graphs.
More content to be added to lesson shortly and new worksheets.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on ’ Sound’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification. All questions provided with answers within power point.
Lesson Objectives:
Explain what sound is in terms of a wave.
Explain what an echo is and how it occurs.
Detail what effect amplitude has on sound.
Detail what effect pitch has on sound.
Explain how the human ear detects sound and the limits of the human ear.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Reflection of Light (Diffuse and specular reflection) ’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Objectives:
Identify and explain different methods of reflecting waves.
Investigate the law of reflection.
Draw ray diagrams for different objects.
Explain and draw virtual images.
Explain what happens to light rays when they reflect of different types of surfaces.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Nuclear Fission ’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Learning Objectives for Fission lesson:
State and explain what is meant by Nuclear Fission.
State the isotopes commonly used in Nuclear Power stations.
Explain the process of a nuclear fission chain reaction.
Identify and explain in detail the key features of a Nuclear Power station.
Complete GCSE lesson on Nuclear Fusion and the life cycle of stars.
Learning Objectives:
1) State and explain what is meant by Nuclear Fusion.
2) Identify the products from nuclear fusion reactions.
3) Explain in detail the birth and life cycle of a star.
4) Apply knowledge of nuclear fusion to stars and how different elements have been formed.
2 COMPLETE LESSONS ON HALF-LIFE & NUCLEAR FISSION
A complete and detailed lesson on Radioactive half-life and another on nuclear fission (created with AQA and Edexcel specification content).
Learning Objectives for Half-life lesson:
1) Review what is meant by isotope and how this is radioactive.
2) Understand the ‘random’ nature of radioactive decay.
3) State and explain what is meant by ‘half-life’.
4) Draw key conclusions from graphs of radioactive decay.
The lesson is summarised with review questions on the content covered.
Learning Objectives for Fission lesson:
1) State and explain what is meant by Nuclear Fission. (D)
2) State the isotopes commonly used in Nuclear Power stations. (C)
3) Explain the process of a nuclear fission chain reaction. (B)
4) Identify and explain in detail the key features of a Nuclear Power station. (A)
The lesson is summarised with exam style questions.
Lessons Fusion to come soon.
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 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 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
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on the AC DC generators written in line with new AQA Physics specification. All questions provided with answers within power point.
Explain how the generator effect is used in an alternator to generate ac
Explain how a ‘dynamo’ generates dc current
Interpret graphs of potential difference generated in the coil against time.
Explain how a moving-coil microphone works.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on ’ Seismic Waves’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification. All questions provided with answers within power point.
Lesson Objectives:
State what seismic waves are
Identify and state different layers of the earths structure
Explain how seismic waves are produced
Explain what primary and secondary seismic waves are
Detail how seismic waves can provide information about the Earth’s structure
