Key Stage 3 Curriculum

Subject: Physics

Head of Department: Miss M. Mohammed

Science helps students to understand the phenomena that occur in us, and the world in which we
live, as well as enhancing our knowledge of the universe.

Physics looks at the movement and phenomena that impact our way of life, and our connection with
the universe.

In Key Stage 3, pupils study the following:

Term Year 7 Year 8 Year 9

Autumn Topic: Forces Topic: Motion Topic: Newtonian
Mechanics
Fertile Q: Why don't we Fertile Q: How can you make
float off into space? rollercoasters exciting? Fertile Q: How can I
use Newton's Laws to
Content: Content:
make a car go faster?
 Contact and non-  Resultant forces
Content:
contact forces
 Work done & energy
 Power
 Gravity transfer
 Moments, levers
 Resultant forces  Scalar & vector quantities
& gears
 Forces & elasticity  Forces & motion
 Newton's First
 Speed Law

 Newton's First Law  Newton's Second

Law

 Newton's Third
Law

 Forces & braking

 Momentum

Spring Topic: Energy Topic: Electricity and Topic: Matter

magnetism
Fertile Q: How can we use Fertile Q: How can we
the Earth's energy resources Fertile Q: Is electricity the prove the Law of
wisely? most useful human Conservation of
invention? Energy?
Content:
Content: Content:
 Energy stores & systems
  Changes in energy  Standard circuit diagram  Energy changes in
symbols systems
 Conservation and
dissipation of energy  Electrical charge and  Changes of state
current and the particle
 National and global
model
energy resources  Current, resistance and
potential difference  Internal energy
and energy
 Series Circuits
transfers
 Domestic uses and safety
 Particle model &
 Energy transfers in pressure
everyday appliances
 Pressure &
 Power pressure
differences in
 Electric fields fluids
 Poles of a magnet

 Magnetic field

Summer Topic: Waves Topic: Space Topic: Electricity &

electromagnetism
Fertile Q: How can we use Fertile Q: Are we alone in the
waves to explore our Universe? Will we ever Fertile Q: How are
Universe? know? magnetism and
electricity linked to
Content: Content:
each other?
 Transverse &  Solar system
Content:
longitudinal waves
 Red shift
 Power
 Properties of waves
 Waves for detection &
 Resistors
 Sound waves exploration
 Series and parallel
 Waves for detection &
circuits
exploration
 The National Grid
 Electromagnetic waves
 Static electricity

 Motor effect

 Induced potential,
transformers &
National Grid