Welcome to the 2021-22 AH Physics course. Another year, another journey together. I hope you feel that this site meets your requirements and that you can find the materials that you need.
Check out MrStewart’s YouTube channel for some great clear explanations from this course.
Resources: Notes and video (flash learning AH CfE Virtual Physics)
Read the notes, watch the video and answer the questions below, in a way that makes them form a good note about the subject.
What three pieces of key evidence didn’t fit with classical physics?
In 1911 Rutherford put forward his model of the atom, a) State the important features of this model b) What provides the centripetal force for the electrons in this model?
Describe black body radiation.
State two changes with the black body radiation curve as temperature increases.
Describe the UV catastrophe.
Who helped solve the UV catastrophe and in what ways?
Which piece of the photoelectric effect experiment demonstrates that energy is not transferred as waves?
From the photoelectric effect state the link between the energy of the photon and a) the frequency of the radiation, b) the wavelength
What did Bohr postulate about angular momentum?
State the formula for angular momentum in Bohr’s model of the atom, (define each term)
State the limits for the Bohr model of the atom
Explain the observation made by GP Thomson in 1920 which led to further debate on the issue.
What did de Broglie imply was the link between electrons as waves and particles?
Explain the confusion caused when looking at the double slit experiment with single particles.
What happens when you observe an electron passing through the slit?
What two quantities cannot be measured together with much certainty and why?
John Sharkey’s Virtual Physics CfE AH Particles from Space
John Sharkey’ SHMs Virtual Physics CfE AH
John Sharkey’s Waves Virtual Physics CfE AH
This is additional support for travelling waves
Here is a nice little video on Standing Waves. Standing waves are formed when a wave interferes with its reflection to produce nodes and antinodes.
…..and here is the explanation for the standing wave video
John Sharkey’s Interference Virtual Physics CfE AH
John Sharkey’s CfE AH Polarisation
Below are some cracking resources from Sally Weatherly, find her here!
Scientist think that the Earth is due a “Magnetic Flip” Research this starting at the link below and then answer the AH Revised question on this from the 2015 Paper Q11
Here is a Radio 4 programme talking about the consequences of a polar flip. If you want to view further programmes click on the link below.
Begin to understand Uncertainties, and how to quantify them
Revise Higher work
Get into a routine of expectations, good work routine, how to self study, how to seek help
Review calculus and its role in AH physics.
Begin to get to grips with section 1 in the compendium.
Begin to investigate a possible project idea.
Success Criteria
Score 90% in the quick quiz (If I can find out how to make them up!)
Have a good understanding of your part in obtaining the best grade you can
Start to make notes on compendium section 1.
Have set up a learning routine for Project, Learning, Notes etc.
TASKS
NB You do not have to do these in any particular order, although it would be easier to do some before the others!
If possible download and print off the AH Compendium, relationships sheet and data sheet. If not can you download it in an editable form online
Log into Scholar and check it out. I hope to be using it this year, so I’ll need a refresher too. The notes and questions can be a little awkward but it is a good background. Note there is a SCHOLAR introduction session on 6th May that I recommend you signing up for. Log in through your GLOW LAUNCHPAD
Check out Mrsphysics AH section and familiarise yourself as to where to find things.
Check other websites in the list that I am trying to make up on RESOURCES. I am trying to match this to the compendium but the IoP have been working on this for you too. https://mrmackenzie.co.uk/advanced-higher/
Read the course content (course support notes)and the project and see if any of the potential projects takes your fancy.
Get something to make notes in or on, if you don’t have access to a source of paper let me know by GLOW email. You need a jotter for notes, something for tutorials and a daybook for your project.
Complete the Higher questions and see how many you can do without using your book.
Read the document on Calculus (pdf) / Calculus (word) and work through that. There are homework questions for you to tackle in there. You will be marking these next week.
An adaptation of Tom Balanowski’s notes by Mr Bailey. This is a useful guide to teachers preparing students for their AH Physics Project. PLANNING is the KEY.
If you are not familiar with Excel can I recommend you spending a bit of time looking over the post in the BGE section (link below). I’ll add a further advanced part for you below.
Other packages are available and some are more robust such as R but I am not sure whether I will introduce that to you now.
We have always had a great deal of difficulty understanding the world view that quantum mechanics represents. At least I do, because I’m an old enough man that I haven’t got to the point that this stuff is obvious to me. Okay, I still get nervous with it…. You know how it always is, every new idea, it takes a generation or two until it becomes obvious that there’s no real problem. I cannot define the real problem, therefore I suspect there’s no real problem, but I’m not sure there’s no real problem.
Richard Feynman, in Simulating Physics with Computers appearing in International Journal of Theoretical Physics (1982) p. 471.
We choose to examine a phenomenon [Double-slit experiment] which is impossible, absolutely impossible, to explain in any classical way, and which has in it the heart of quantum mechanics. In reality, it contains the only mystery. We cannot make the mystery go away by “explaining” how it works. We will just tell you how it works. In telling you how it works we will have told you about the basic peculiarities of all quantum mechanics.
Richard Feynman,The Feynman Lectures on Physics: Commemorative Issue, Vol. 3 Quantum Mechanics (1989) 1-1, “Quantum Behavior.”
Here is a link to a presentation that I gave for the IoP on AH Uncertainties.
The slides are 1GB, so you might want to ask me to share those some other way. Here is a pdf of the slides, including example SQA Uncertainty questions
Below is attached various useful documents to assist you in this vital part of the course. It is when you begin to use this material when going through your own experiments that it will become clear. Take time to read and understand it.
Here is a pdf of the talk I did for Physics teachers on Uncertainties in AH Physics. If you want the powerpoint you’ll need to get in touch as it is 1GB!
Below is the presentation. It was made for teachers, but there are quite a few bits suitable for students. Maybe I should edit it for students. Let me know..
Use this document very sparingly, it is not compatible with some of the AH mark scheme, especially in that it recommends you always round UP in an uncertainty. This is NOT what you should do at AH.- You’ve been warned! Contact me if you have concerns.
