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.
Complete lesson on Electromagnetic Spectrum/Uses/Risks with key content from AQA Physics.
This lesson covers the electromagnetic spectrum, waves uses, wave risk, order and size of waves and mobile risks.
Starter uses a fun riddle challenge which pupils enjoyed doing in Generating Electricity and so asked for another.
The lesson explores the spectrum by order of identities of waves, wavelength, frequency and energy.
A quick task on multipliers, standard form and prefixes helps pupils understand the notation commonly seen on the EM spectrum and also as questioned in exams.
A task gets pupils to explore different EM waves using information sheet for them to use to summarise key information. Then mobile phone risk is then discussed along with correlation and causation.
Plenary quick quiz and some exam style questions which can be used as mini plenaries to link to exams.
More lessons in same format for P1.
https://www.tes.com/member/Nteach
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on Impact Forces written in line with new AQA Physics specification. All questions provided with answers within power point.
Starter ‘Car Wars’ looks at the test collision between an old and a new vehicle to stimulate discussion of collisions and safety - posing the question which car is safer and why?
This is discussed and reviewed focusing on crumple zones and comparing how each car crumpled and why this is good (or for the old car, bad).
Crumple zones, air bags and seat belts are detailed and discussed for common function - to increase impact time to decrease impact force. This concept is highlighted by exploring the physics mathematically.
Review questions with answers are provided for the topic.
Lesson Objectives:
- Identify key safety features of vehicles to reduce impact force.
- Explain how ‘impact time’ affects impact force.
- Relate momentum to impact forces in collisions and explain how impact forces can be reduced in car collisions.
- Calculate impact forces resulting from collisions.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on ‘Planet, satellites and orbits’ written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson Objectives:
Identify what keeps objects in orbit.
Identify the direction of force on an orbiting object.
Explain how the velocity of a body changes as the body moves around its orbit.
Explain how an object stays in orbit
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.
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.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on Forces and Braking written in line with new AQA Physics specification. All questions are provided with answer within the Power Point.
Lesson starts by discussing the speed limit for vehicles against the maximum speeds vehicles can achieve. Stopping distances is explored by looking at different size vehicles going at the same velocity and then braking. Stopping distance is also reviewed against different velocities.
Thinking distance and braking distance are highlighted and discussed with a class activity exploring the effects of different factors on thinking distance with higher or lower activity. A class activity is also provided to investigate pupils reaction time to relate to thinking distance.
A quick review on resultant forces in relation to vehicles is explored through questioning, this leads to the physics of stopping vehicles through braking. This leads to an exploration of the physics of braking in terms of changes to energy stores and then also how to calculate braking force.
Summary questions are provided on this topic to finish the lesson.
Plenary poses the starting question again in light of new information pupils will now have.
Lesson Objectives:
- Evaluate different vehicle speeds for stopping distances
- Explain what happens during braking of a vehicle.
- Identify and explain what can effect the stopping distance of a vehicle.
- Investigate how a drivers reaction time effect stopping distance.
- Calculate the braking force of a required for moving vehicles.
Complete lesson on the 'Big Bang Theory' and the 'Expanding Universe' with key content from AQA Physics.
Starter uses post-it note from pupils onto the board which allows the teacher to review thoughts from pupils on the origins of the Universe. This is good starter to discuss different pupils beliefs.
Following this a focus on 'theories' discusses what theories are and why this is important in Science and evidence which support theories.
The main part of the lesson guides pupils through the Big Bang Theory explaining the evidence behind this theory (red-shift and CMBR) with clear description of the Doppler effect.
End of lesson uses a written task for pupils to summarise the key points on red-shift. This can then be peer marked by the class using the guidance provided.
A homework is included asking pupils to research the fate of the Universe as this is common question from pupils.
Plenary includes exam style questions.
More lessons to in same format for P1.
https://www.tes.com/member/Nteach
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on ' Resolution of Forces' written in line with new AQA Physics specification. All questions provided with answers within power point.
The starter provides some simple combination of forces questions to review the subject of resultant forces - one question has two forces acting on different planes which pupils will be unfamiliar with and therefore how to solve - this prompts the lesson.
The intuitive resultant force and direction is highlighted but also how we need to calculate exactly what they are.
The parallelogram/geometric method is taught step by step with a worked example, this is done a second time with another example but with the class prompted to follow it and do the same on their own paper which also allows for discussion of difference in results.
A collection of questions allows pupils to practice use of this method.
This method is then used for inclined planes to explain frictional force acting to put object in equilibrium on inclined planes. Review questions again allow pupils to practice this.
Lesson Objectives:
- Review resolving simple combination of forces.
- Identify when forces are acting on different lines/planes.
- Calculate the resultant force on an object which has equal forces acting on different lines/planes.
- Calculate the resultant force on an object which has unequal forces acting on different lines/planes.
A worksheet is not provided as it is best for pupils to work on their own paper to define their own scales for this methodology.
2 New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Infrared Radiation & Black body radiation' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Bundled together is 2 complete lessons on infra-red radiation with different learning objectives and activities.
LESSON 1 - Infrared radiation and black body radiation
Lesson starts with optical illusion which makes white dots appear black, this is to start thoughts on what black is and engage students with something a bit different. The difference between heat and temperature is discussed to lead to what infrared radiation is. A question posed about whether ice gives off infrared radiation consolidates a key point. Thermal imaging is explored with how it works and a guess what it is exercise of infrared images.
Different shades of black are shown to discuss what black does in terms of visible light, leading to an explanation of perfect black body radiation. Black body radiation and infrared emission at varied temperatures is discussed (including a link to a useful simulation). The effect of absorption and emission of infrared on bodies is detailed concluding with summary question on the topic.
Lesson Objectives:
State the difference between heat and infra-red radiation.
Explain what is meant by ‘black-body radiation’.
Identify the effects of infra-red radiation can have on a body.
Relate the effects of absorption and emission of infra-red radiation has on a body.
LESSON 2 - Infrared radiation, surfaces and bodies
The use of black balls on the LA reservoir is shown in gif images to pupils to discuss why they did this. Absorption and emission of infrared is reviewed briefly. This leads to factors which effect the Earth's temperature and how greenhouse gases impact this. An experiment to investigate different surfaces and infrared emission, absorption and reflection is outlined. The key points from this investigation are summarised for note taking. A true or false activity reviews previous content followed by review questions. Infrared emission, absorption and reflection is applied through questioning to the Earth & the moon, satellites in space and the starter on the LA reservoir.
Lesson Objectives:
Identify and explain key factors that effect the temperature of the Earth.
Investigate and identify the properties of different materials and their effect on infra-red radiation.
Apply your knowledge of infrared radiation and surfaces to real life problems.
Explain why the temperature on the Moon is different to the Earth.
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.
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
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Work done' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Starter - Students are to discuss what objects they think would be the most 'work' to move into a house. This is to get them thinking about what work means - more work or less work.
The familiar definition of work is explored which is then related to the definition of work in physics. A quick mini plenary questions students on different scenarios to see if work is done on the system or not.
After the equations for Work done is given and explained students re-visit the moving house activity to calculate the work done on moving different objects into a house.
An experiment is detailed to explore work done on different surfaces to start investigating the effects of friction in relation to work done. The lesson concludes looking at useful friction and the changes in energy stores cause by friction.
Exam questions are given as a plenary task.
Lesson Objectives:
1) Provide a definitions for work done.
2) Recall and apply the equation for Work done to solve problems.
3) Calculate the energy changes in different systems using work done.
4) Detail the energy changes that occur in a system when work is done.
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.
4 lessons covering the unit of Forces and Pressure for AQA GCSE Physics.
Lesson include:
Pressure and Surfaces
Pressure and Liquids
Atmospheric Pressure
Upthrust and Flotation
Please read individual resources descriptions for each item in the bundle for further detail.
A completely resourced lesson on GCSE Physics P2 - Electrical Power (E=Pt & P=IV) including key content from AQA exam specification.
Starter focuses on units and what they measure as a nice recap of all P2 units of measure.
Power and a key definition is provided is reviewed through relatable examples and then put into the context of electrical devices. Examples of calculating power from energy used and time are provided with a worksheet for this. Activity included for power rating circus is optional as alternatively another worksheet is provided allowing the exercise to be completed without a power rating circus.
Energy is then related to current and potential difference with the key equations and exercised with a worksheet.
Finally questions to identify appropriate fuse ratings for electrical devices.
More P2 lessons to come.
Complete lesson on Convection including key content from AQA GCSE Physics.
Simple starter to get pupils thinking about convection and also true and false to challenge misconceptions (such as heat rises).
Includes experiment requiring potassium permanganate in a beaker and convection loop (if doing teacher demo) but could use food dye as a substitute.
Plenary uses plenty of application questions and relation to the vacuum flask.
More P1 lessons in same format.
https://www.tes.com/member/Nteach
A worksheet to help pupils design/plan their own experiment/investigation.
Some pupils still struggle with the intention of science experiments and each aspect required to carry out a successful experiment. The worksheet which is the same format as the experiment planning sheet poses each aspect as a question for pupils to really think what each aspect is about.
This can be used as sheet to complete with a guided experiment allowing pupils to understand what each part of planned experiment is about or it can be used as a guide to help a pupil design an experiment (with some guidance of course)
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.
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.