Materials Science within AS and A-level Physics Elizabeth Swinbank Director, Salters Horners...
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Transcript of Materials Science within AS and A-level Physics Elizabeth Swinbank Director, Salters Horners...
Materials Science within AS and A-level Physics
Elizabeth Swinbank
Director, Salters Horners Advanced PhysicsUniversity of York
All AS and A-level specifications (syllabuses) are changing for first teaching in September 2008
All the new physics specs have
4 content assessment units (2 AS, 2 A2)
2 coursework assessment units (1 AS, 1 A2)
a requirement to address ‘how science works’
Most have
little or no optional content
See IOP summary for details of assessment structures
Changes to AS/A-level physics
Materials Science content is predominantly in AS
AS core content includesresistivityrefractive index
At AS, nearly all specs require mechanical propertiesHooke’s lawYoung modulusstress-strain graphselastic and plastic behaviourmeaning of terms brittle, hard etc
A2 core content includesspecific heat capacity
There is essentially no other Materials Science content in any A2 physics specification
See Appendix for details of individual spec requirements
Examples of content requirements
Draw force-extension, force-compression, and tensile/compressive stress-strain graphs. Identify the limit of proportionality, elastic limit and yield point (Edexcel)
One method of measuring Young modulus and fracture stress (OCR B)
Describe how to determine the resistivity of a metalwire experimentally (WJEC)
Refractive index of a substance is given by n = c/v (AQA B)
How Science Works
Nature and limitations of scientific knowledge (hypothesis and prediction, data and explanation, modelling, the scientific community)
Scientific enquiry (experimental skills, data handling, mathematical skills)
Communication (scientific language, presentation of data)
Applications and implications (decision making, risk, ethics)
Coursework
All specifications require practical coursework at AS and A2.
Students undertake a practical task (or tasks) that are either set by the awarding body or devised by their teachers.
Typically, the exercise takes about 1 hour to complete.
The exact requirements vary between specifications.
Examples of AS practical coursework requirements
Use and be familiar with standard laboratory equipment (eg electric meters… vernier callipers … newtonmeters... electronic balance …) (AQA)
Take measurements and record data showing awarenessof the limits of accuracy … (WJEC)
Analyse and interpret data to provide evidence, recognising correlations and causal relationships(OCR A)
Visit or case study
The Edexcel specification for AS requires a report of a visit or case study.
The practical task should be linked to the visit/case study.
Example
Visit a biscuit factory: observe mechanical testing of products for quality control
Practical: measure elastic modulus of ice-cream wafer
Materials activities from Salters Horners Advanced Physics (Edexcel)
Context-led course
Food industry: product development and quality control
Spare part surgery: designer materials
Eat sweets to establish the meaning of technical terms brittle, hard, etc
Plot force-extension graphs for strawberry laces
Measure Brinnell hardness of mints
Measure breaking stress of model bone
Determine Young modulus of UHMWPE for use in hip replacements
A blueprint for the development of Materials Science resources
Focus on mechanical properties for AS level
Include electrical, thermal and optical properties
Address ‘how science works’
Develop experimental skills
Put activities in authentic (and novel) contexts
Appendix
Materials Science elements of the new AS and A-level physics specifications
AQA AAQA B (Physics in Context)Edexcel (includes SHAP)OCR AOCR B (Advancing Physics)WJEC
AQA AUnit 1 Particles, Quantum Phenomena and Electricity
resistivitysuperconductivity
Unit 2 Mechanics, Materials and Waves density
Hooke’s lawtensile stress and strainenergy storedbreaking stressplastic behaviourfracture and brittlenessstress-strain curvesYoung modulus
AQA A
Unit 5 Nuclear Physics, Thermal Physics and an Optional Topic
specific heat capacity
AQA B (Physics in context)
Unit 1 Harmony and Structure in the Universerefractive index
Unit 2 Physics Keeps us Goingelastic potential energystiffness (of a sample)thermal conductivityU valuesresistivitysuperconductivity
Unit 5 Energy Under the Microscopespecific heat capacity
Edexcel (SHAP)
Unit 1 Physics on the godensitylaminar and turbulent flowviscosity and Stokes’s lawHooke’s lawcompressive and tensile stress and strainstress-strain graphsYoung moduluselastic and plastic behaviourbreaking stressenergy storedmeaning of brittle, hard, ductile, malleable, stiff, tough
Edexcel (SHAP)
Unit 2 Physics at work
resistivitytemperature and resistancerefractive index
Unit 5 Physics from creation to collapse
specific heat capacity
OCR AUnit 1 Mechanics
tensile and compressive deformationHooke’s lawstored energystress and strainYoung modulusbreaking stresselastic and plastic deformationstress-strain graphs
Unit 2 Electrons, Waves and Photonsresistivitytemperature and resistancesuperconductivity
OCR B (Advancing Physics)
Unit 1 Physics in action: designer materialsmechanical behaviour
deformation and fracturestress, strainYoung modulusstiff, elastic, plastic, ductile, hard, brittle, toughstress-strain graphssize and spacing of particlesmetals, ceramics, polymers, composites
electrical behaviourmetals, semiconductors, insulatorsresistivity, conductivity
OCR B (Advancing Physics)
Unit 4 Rise and Fall of the Clockwork Universe
specific heat capacity
WJEC (Wales)
Unit 1 Motion, Energy and Chargedensity stored energyHooke’s lawfrictionviscosityresistivitysuperconductivity
Unit 2 Waves and Particlesrefractive index
WJEC (Wales)
Unit 4 Oscillations and Fields
stiffness (of a sample)specific heat capacity