4th Sep '25

Schemes of Work

P2
- P2.6
  - Lesson 01 - What makes up the Solar System? Lesson Plan Lesson Title
    - (Physics only) Within our solar system there is one star, the Sun, plus the eight planets and the dwarf planets that orbit around the Sun.
    - (Physics only) Natural satellites, the moons that orbit planets, are also part of the solar system.
    - (Physics only) Our solar system is a small part of the Milky Way galaxy.
    - LEARN DIAGRAM
      - Suggested Activity:
        Research activity - factfile on planets and stellar bodies.
        
        Stretch - Define the different terms.
        Challenge - Describe the forces involved within the solar system and galaxy.
        GF: Explain why Venus has a higher temperature than Mercury.
  - Lesson 02 - What is the life cycle of a star? Lesson Plan Lesson Title
    - (Physics only) Students should be able to explain how fusion processes lead to the formation of new elements.
    - (Physics only) A star goes through a life cycle. The life cycle is determined by the size of the star.
    - (Physics only) The Sun was formed from a cloud of dust and gas (nebula) pulled together by gravitational attraction.
      - Suggested Activity:
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EnBBIx6XkM
    - (Physics only) Students should be able to explain how, at the start of a star's life cycle, the dust and gas drawn together by gravity causes fusion reactions
      - Suggested Activity:
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhy1fucSRQI
    - (Physics only) Students should be able to explain that fusion reactions lead to an equilibrium between the gravitational collapse of a star and the expansion of a star due to fusion energy.
      - Suggested Activity:
        EW Explain the forces involved in the formation of stars and the equilibrium reached in their main stage.
    - (Physics only) Fusion processes in stars produce all of the naturally occurring elements.
      - Suggested Activity:
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXV9mtY1AoI
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN2AYauvOeY
    - (Physics only) Elements heavier than iron are produced in a supernova.
    - (Physics only) The explosion of a massive star (supernova) distributes the elements throughout the universe.
  - Lesson 03 - What are satellites? Lesson Plan Lesson Title
    - Orbital motion, natural and artificial satellites
    - (Physics only) Gravity provides the force that allows planets and satellites (both natural and artificial) to maintain their circular orbits.
    - Students should be able to describe the similarities and distinctions between the planets, their moons, and artificial satellites.
    - (Physics only) (HT only) Students should be able to explain qualitatively how for circular orbits, the force of gravity can lead to changing velocity but unchanged speed
    - (Physics only) (HT only) Students should be able to explain qualitatively how for a stable orbit, the radius must change if the speed changes.
  - Lesson 04 - What evidence is there to support the Big Bang Theory? Lesson Plan Lesson Title
    - (Physics only) Students should be able to explain qualitatively the red-shift of light from galaxies that are receding
    - (Physics only) There is an observed increase in the wavelength of light from most distant galaxies. This effect is called red-shift.
    - (Physics only) The further away the galaxies, the faster they are moving and the bigger the observed increase in wavelength.
    - (Physics only) The observed red-shift provides evidence that space itself (the universe) is expanding and supports the Big Bang theory.
    - (Physics only) The Big Bang theory suggests that the universe began from a very small region that was extremely hot and dense.
    - (Physics only) Since 1998 onwards, observations of supernovae suggest that distant galaxies are receding ever faster.
    - (Physics only) Students should be able to explain that the change of each galaxy's speed with distance is evidence of an expanding universe
    - (Physics only) Students should be able to explain how red-shift provides evidence for the Big Bang model
  - Lesson 05 - What is dark matter and dark energy? Lesson Plan Lesson Title
    - (Physics only) Students should be able to explain how scientists are able to use observations to arrive at theories such as the Big Bang theory
    - (Physics only) Students should be able to explain that there is still much about the universe that is not understood, for example dark mass and dark energy.