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Advanced level (A2) course
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- Rise and fall of the clockwork Universe
- gradual development of more mathematical thinking
- focus on how physics changes our lives and the way we think
Models and rules (9 weeks)
10. Creating models (3 weeks)
including exponential decay and simple computer models, harmonic oscillator as a model, potential and kinetic energy
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11. Out into space (4 weeks)
including orbits, circular motion, gravitational field, momentum
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12. Our place in the Universe (2 weeks)
including evidence of a hot big bang origin of the Universe; first ideas about relativity
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Matter in extremes (4 weeks)
13. Matter: very simple (2 weeks)
including ideal gases, kinetic theory, thermal capacity, energy kT, conservation of energy
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14. Matter: very hot and cold (2 weeks)
including ionization, thermal behaviour, Boltzmann factor
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- Field and particle pictures
- developing fundamental ideas
- varied points of view: fundamental, applied, social
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Fields (5 weeks)
15. Electromagnetic machines (3 weeks)
including transformer, dynamo, motor, power transmission and generation
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16. Charge and field (2 weeks)
including electric field, potential, E-field in atoms, bonds
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Fundamental particles of matter (7 weeks)
17. Probing deep into matter (4 weeks)
including scattering, nuclear atom, discrete energy levels in atoms, quantum
ideas about structure of atom, evidence of structure in nucleons, some particle physics
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18. Ionizing radiation and risk (3 weeks)
including radioactive decay, nuclear stability, risk, E = mc2
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Advances in physics (2 weeks)
A set of problems, some fundamental, some applied, in which different parts of physics are brought together to make progress with a problem, and perhaps produce a new one.
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