Physics Course Information

Physics at Mearns Academy

S1 and S2

Upon arrival at Mearns Academy, pupils undertake a general science course that is made up of branches from all the three main sciences (Physics, Chemistry and Biology).

Physics Courses S3/S4

Towards the end of S2, pupils elect to study one or more of the three core sciences (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) in S3 and S4.

Standard Grade

The Standard Grade Physics course is taught in mixed ability General and Credit classes. All pupils are entered for both General and Credit exams.

The Standard Grade Course has 7 units as follows:

Unit 1: Telecommunication

The purpose of this Unit is to assist pupils to gain understanding of the physical principles in the rapidly developing area of information technology. Among the aspects studied are radio and television reception, communication satellites and the use of fibre optics for transmitting information.   

Unit 2: Using Electricity

This Unit allows pupils to gain a knowledge and understanding of the principles behind the electrical and electronic devices which they encounter in their everyday lives. Since these principles are developed further in later Units, the emphasis in this Unit is on providing a sound foundation of electrical circuit theory.   

Unit 3: Health Physics

It is hoped that an awareness of the beneficial and caring face of physics will balance the negative view that physics only relates to the production of weapons of mass destruction. At the same time, this Unit is especially important as a preparation for life as it introduces pupils to the uses of ultrasound, optics, electronics and radioactivity in medical care.   

Unit 4: Electronics

Developments in the field of microelectronics have revolutionised the structure of commerce and industry. This Unit attempts to familiarise pupils with developments in both digital and analogue electronics and provides further applications of the circuit theory developed in Unit 2. The associated practical activities allow pupils to investigate circuit components and to recognise how they can be linked together as elements in a total system. 

Unit 5: Transport

This Unit is similar in nature to Unit 2 in that it introduces fundamental concepts which can be developed further in later Units. The main aim is to provide a grounding in key concepts of mechanics and to relate these to everyday aspects of travel such as the use of seat belts and the stopping distances of vehicles.   

Unit 6: Energy Matters

The provision of an adequate supply of energy and its careful husbanding is one of the most important problems facing a modern, highly-industrialised society. This Unit enables pupils to study energy supply and demand, the generation of electricity and the physical principles involved in conservation, especially in the domestic environment.  

Unit 7: Space Physics

This final Unit endeavours to instil in pupils a sense of wonder about the vastness of the Universe and to develop an appreciation of the ways in which knowledge of the universe has been obtained. Our trips into near space provide a context in which to consider the physical basis of space travel.

Intermediate 1 Physics

The Intermediate1 Physics course may be offered depending on circumstances and is suitable for pupils who would find the Standard Grade course too demanding.

The course is made up of six mandatory units:

• Telecommunications

• Practical Electricity

• Radiations

• Sound and Music

• Movement

• Electronics

The most suitable S3/S4 course for the pupil will be indicated in the S2 Report card.

Physics Courses S5 and S6

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Higher Physics

The course is made up of three mandatory units:

• Mechanics and Properties of Matter

• Electricity and Electronics

• Radiation and Matter.

Intermediate 2 Physics

The course is made up of four mandatory units:

• Mechanics and Heat

• Electricity and Electronics

• Waves and Optics

• Radioactivity

The most suitable S5/S6 course for the pupil will be decided by results of 4^th year exams and consultation with science and guidance staff.

Advanced Higher course (S6)

Obtaining a successful pass in Higher Physics gives students the option to study Advanced Higher Physics within the school.

This course involves the following units:

• Unit 1 Mechanics (full unit)

• Unit 2 Electrical Phenomena (full unit)

• Unit 3 Wave Phenomena (half unit)

• Unit 4 Investigation (half unit)

Assessment in Advanced Higher, Higher Physics and Intermediate 2 Physics

At the end of each unit, a NAB (National Assessment Bank) test is undertaken by the pupils. The pupils are required to pass the NAB for each unit, with a re-sit test being given if required.

The pupils are also required to do a fully written up report on a practical experiment undertaken in class. At Advanced Higher, pupils undertake an Investigation with 20 hours being allocated. This involves in-depth practical work on an area of Physics chosen from a list by the pupils. This is written up and assessed externally by the SQA

Pupils sit a final examination at the end of the year, which examines Knowledge and Understanding and Problem Solving.