Choosing the Option

A2 Physics – Unit 5

Options (Unit 5 PHA5A-5D)

Unit 5A Astrophysics

Unit 5B Medical Physics

Unit 5C Applied Physics

Unit 5D Turning Points in Physics

Unit 5A Astrophysics Telescope Bit dry?, but not too hard. Classification of stars Talks about different

types of stars. Gets interesting in bit about Neutron Stars, Black Holes, Supernovae.

Cosmology Large scale Astronomy, Universe Expanding forever?

Pros Teacher’s Specialism, Cool Stuff about Neutron Stars, Black Holes, Supernovae

Cons Quite specialised, doesn’t have overall application to other areas of physics like say applied.

Unit 5B Medical Physics Body Mechanics Physics of Vision, Hearing The Heart X-ray Imaging, Ultrasound, MRI Endoscopy Biological Effects of Radiation

Pros Nice link up with Biology, Medicine. Looks lighter on the Maths side if you find that part difficult.

Cons Out of the 4, your teacher knows the least. Quite specialised like Astrophysics.

Unit 5C Applied Physics Rotational Dynamics Useful but tricky Thermodynamics and Engines can be

tricky and a bit dry.

Pros If you are going to study Physics at Uni this would give you the largest head start, supports other areas of physics.

Cons Some parts are tricky mathematically, others conceptually, a bit dry.

Unit 5D Turning Points in Physics

Discovery of Electron Wave-Particle Duality Special Relativity! Interesting but tricky

Pros Interesting topic, Special Relativity is important Einstein stuff that is interesting.

Cons Again quite specialised, re-visits some already covered ground – bit repetitive in places? Descriptive?

Now Vote! One Vote Each:- One with the most votes wins.

Practical Skills Verification (PSV)

Added only a few days ago… Determination of the specific heat

capacity of a solid (can do this next week).

Measuring the absorption of beta or gamma radiation by aluminium or lead leading to a determination of the half-value thickness. (can do this next week too).

Practical Skills Verification (PSV)

Also on the list… Use of data logging in any of the

above contexts; analysis of the outcome using a pc-based spreadsheet.

We could, in theory, get this all done and dusted next week – will everyone be here?

Absorption Experiment

Vary the thickness of the absorbing material and plot count-rate versus thickness.