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 ’ 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 ’ 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 ’ 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 ’ 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.
5 Lessons on GCSE AQA Physics 'Forces and Motion. Lessons include:
- Forces and acceleration.
- Terminal velocity.
- Forces and Braking.
- Momentum.
- Impact Forces.
- Forces and Elasticity.
Please see individual item listing for details on each individual lesson.
ALL lessons have answer keys in the PowerPoint
5 Lessons on GCSE AQA Physics 'Forces in Balance. Lessons include:
- Vectors and Scalars.
- Resultant Forces.
- Centre of Mass.
- Moment, Gear and Equilibrium.
- Resolution of forces (Parallelogram/Geometric method.
Please see individual item listing for details on each individual lesson.
ALL lessons have answer keys in the PowerPoint
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.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on ' Centre of Mass' written in line with new AQA Physics specification. All questions provided with answers within power point.
Starter simply looks at balancing object on one finger and how intuitively we can know how to do this. Then stability of different shapes is reviewed and again highlighted how we can assess whether something will be stable or not. The physics of this is then applied in terms of centre of mass. The technique to find the centre of mass for a symmetrical shape is detailed and practices with questions.
Suspended equilibrium and centre of mass is shown using a hanging bird cage and can also be demonstrated in class with a simple mass and string. Then an experiment is outlined to find the centre of mass of irregular shapes.
Centre of mass it then related to real life contexts for practice exam questions.
Lesson Objectives:
- Explain what is meant by centre of mass.
- Find the centre of mass for a simple symmetrical object and explain this position.
- Find the centre of mass of an irregular shaped object.
- Apply the principle of centre of mass to real-life problems.
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 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.
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 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.
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM Nteach.
As the much needed Christmas break approaches some fun activities are needed for the classroom as the typical lessons become near impossible to do.
Please enjoy the 2016 Christmas Science Quiz to have some fun your classes before the Christmas holidays.
Some more fun Christmas activities to follow.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on Forces and Elasticity written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Lesson starts by discussing what elasticity is in relation to familiar, everyday objects which then challenge pupil thinking with ‘slo-mo’ videos of these objects being impacted.
Elasticity is then further explored with compression and tension in springs and also related to other objects.
To assist pupils in their understanding of the force extension graphs for materials proportionality is reviewed mathematically.
A class experiment is detailed using simple Physics equipment to test everyday materials for to produce a force-extension graph. Conclusions can then be drawn from the data produced in this experiment.
Hooke’s law is detailed and related to a simply spring extension experiment and used to highlight spring constants.
Plenary poses a summary question for pupils to answer with detailed responses showing their understanding of elasticity.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify objects in compression or tension.
- Explain what is meant by a proportional relationship.
- Describe an experiment to extension of an object due to force applied.
- Interpret and draw conclusions from a force-extension graph.
New GCSE AQA Physics lesson on 'Newtons Second Law - Force and Accerlation' written in line with new AQA Physics specification.
Starter prompts pupils to discuss how there weight would vary on different planets, this is to set-up how weight is different to mass.
Key terms Force, mass and acceleration are reviewed for clarity leading to the equation F=ma, the units, how it can be rearranged and then review questions to practice the use of.
The equation is then reviewed in terms of proportionality as required by the AQA specification.
Following this F=ma is related to W=mg to highlight that weight is a force and different to mass. This then leads to pupils calculating their mass on different planets - alternatively a task is provided to calculate the mass of a schoolbag on different planets.
For higher tier pupils intertial mass is explained.
Learning Objectives:
- Clearly explain what force, mass and acceleration are.
- Relate how mass and acceleration effect the size of a force.
- Calculate the resultant force on an object by its mass and acceleration.
- Explain the difference between weight and mass.
- What is meant by inertia (Higher Tier)
A bundle of resources aimed at the new GCSE AQA specification Nuclear Physics Unit.
Lessons included:
- Introduction to Atoms & Nuclear Radiation
-Atomic Model, Plum pudding and Bohr’s model of the atom.
-Atoms and Radiation.
- Alpha, Beta and Gamma radiation.
- Radioactivity and Half-life.
- Nuclear Radiation Uses (Medicine).
- Nuclear Fission.
- Nuclear Fusion.
Additional lesson to be added on ‘the discovery of nuclear radiation.’
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 ‘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.
Bundles covering the unit of ‘Particle Model of Matter’ for the NEW AQA GCSE Physics course.
Lessons Included:
- Density, Mass and Volume.
- States of matter.
- Melting and Boiling Points.
- Internal Energy.
- Latent Heat.
- Pressure and Temperature
- Pressure and Volume