In middle school Physics lessons, students develop their practical skills, start to gain confidence with Physical formulae and units, and gain a fundamental grasp of the concepts of Physics, all of which provide a necessary foundation for the IGCSE course. The first topic covered in the IGCSE course is Waves, which is taught in U4.

U3 Scheme of Work 
 
Measurement

We look at the measurement of different variables (e.g. length, time) and the correct units we use for each (e.g. metres, seconds). How accurate are our measurements? How accurate do they need to be? Should we use the full value shown on our calculators? What is the difference between guessing and estimating? Have a look at this movie clip to discover why it is important to measure mass, distance and time accurately. For more information, read pages 2-10 of your Physics Now textbook.    
 
Static Charge
 
We look at the two different types of charge - positive charge and negative charge - and discover what causes charged objects to repel and attract. We find out how we can charge certain materials and how a Van de Graaff generator works. Have a look at this webpage from the Museum of Science in Boston, which shows pictures of their giant Van der Graaff generator, one of the largest in the world! For more information, read pages 104-106 and 114-115 (2nd edition pages 44-56) of your Physics Now textbook. 
 
Electricity
 
In this topic, we discover how to connect components to make a working circuit, and how we can measure current and voltage in that circuit. We also look at series and parallel circuits, find out what flows around a circuit to make electricity and learn what we mean by electrical resistance. Have a look at the BBC Bitesize Revision website to look through this topic, and see how well you score in the quiz at the end! For more information, read pages 121-126 (2nd edition page 57-62) of your Physics Now textbook. 
 
Sound
 
In this topic we answer the following questions:

• What causes sound?
• How do we hear sound?
• What makes a sound high or low?
• What is the highest sound that humans can hear?
• How fast does sound travel?

We find out what we mean by the frequency of sound. We also use a piece of equipment called an oscilloscope to look at the waveforms produced by different musical instruments and to see why they make different sounds. Have a look at this video clip to find out about sound travelling through air. Also look at Chapter 10 on page 174 in your Physics Now textbook. 
 
Light

During the course of this topic, we find out about the reflection and refraction of light and all about Pepper's Ghost (view movie). We also discover how different types of shadows are formed and how coloured light is produced. In one lesson, we make our own pinhole cameras. Have a look at the following pages in your Physics Now textbook.

• Page 154 - Shadows (2nd edition page 142)
• Pages 158-161 - Reflection (2nd edition page 146-149)
• Pages 163-164 - Refraction (2nd edition page 151-152)
• Page 168 - The Pinhole Camera (2nd edition page 156)
• Pages 169-171 - Colour (2nd edition page 157-159)

Density  
 
In this topic we investigate density and how to calculate it. This characteristic of materials is then used to look at liquids and gases.

• Why does a boat float? We investigate what materials float and sink, and explain why.
• Why are we told to crawl along the floor when a room is filled with smoke from a fire?
• Why can fire burn on top of water?

Look at pages 11 to 14 in your Physics Now textbook. 
 
Earth and Beyond

Here we look at the Earth’s movements and how it dictates our days and seasons. The rotation and the tilt of our planet and their implications are investigated. Beyond our humble planet we look at the Solar System. We learn the pieces that make it up, including manmade objects like artificial satellites, and how its all held together by gravitational forces.

• How big is the Sun?
• Are all the ‘stars’ we see at night actually stars?

Have a look at pages 90 to 105 (2nd edition page 90-109) for more information.

L4 Scheme of Work 
   
Energy 
 
In this topic we will discuss different types of energy.

• Where does energy come from?
• Where does energy go?

We will use our knowledge of the different varieties of energy to explain simple demonstrations. Renewable energy sources like solar energy will be looked into further, and their details compared with non renewable energy. 
 
Forces and Motion
 
First speed will be investigated, both how we measure and how we calculate it. Demonstrations and experiments will aid in understanding this concept, as well as the introduction of graphs. Moving on we will learn about different types of forces, and the unit we use to measure force, the Newton. Through experimentation and observation we will be able to answer the following questions:

• What happens when we apply force to plasticine? And to a toy car? What happens when we stop applying force, and why?
• What is a balanced force?
• What makes a force become unbalanced?

Looking further into gravitational force, mass and weight will be discussed. How much do you weigh? Do you weigh the same on the moon? How is mass related to weight? What is the centre of mass of an object, and how can knowing this position be useful? Next, we learn about moments. We will use demonstrations and real life examples to explain this new concept, as well as calculating moments. Why is it easier to close a door pushing from near the handle rather than near the hinge? Finally we will look at extension and compression. These two terms are related to forces. Using experiments we will investigate Hooke’s Law. How is the amount of force applied to a spring related to its extension or compression? 
 
Logic and Electronics 
 
In this topic we will see how logic is used in electronics, as well as having a chance to build some circuits ourselves and test our own logic. Truth tables use logic to predict how circuits will function. Different input components will be tested to show how electronics can be used to detect different things.

Magnetism
 
Demonstrations and diagrams will be used to show how magnetism affects us and the world around us, though acting invisibly most of the time.

• Why do magnets have two poles?
• What causes the northern lights?
• Why do compasses all point the same way?
• How can we test the strength of a magnet?

Answers to these questions and more. Have a look at your Physics Now textbook, chapter 7, page 124 onwards.

U4 Scheme of Work
 
Heat Energy 

• When heated, solids, liquids and gases all expand. Why?
• How is this related to kinetic energy?
• How must this be taken into consideration in engineering?

Heat can be transferred via conduction, convection and radiation - can you think of examples of each of these in real life? These transferrals of heat energy can be encouraged or, using insulation, hindered. 
 
Waves
 
In this section we will look at wave properties and different waves including light, sound and electromagnetic waves. After a brief recap from U3, we will discuss reflection, refraction and diffraction. Dispersion will also be introduced, along with the concepts of total internal reflection and the critical angle. We will define the two types of wave: transverse and longitudinal. Using examples we will show how the two can transfer energy and the vital variables needed to describe a wave.

• Why can’t you hear noise in space?
• Why is it quieter underwater?
• How fast does sound travel?
• Can we hear all sounds?
• What do you notice if you look at your reflection in a polished spoon?
• What happens when you place something straight, like a straw, in a glass of water?

Sound can also be reflected, refracted and diffracted, and has real applications such as ultrasound and echo location. 
 
Earth & Beyond
 
We will learn about the evolution of stars and of the universe. We will look at satellites, both natural and manmade. Artificial satellites are orbiting our planet constantly, assisting different types of technology, a key one being communication. Observation is another key area; both of our planet and others. Observing astronomical bodies with probes and satellites gives us great insight into our universe and its evolution. Through collected data we can even ascertain how the universe was created - in a big hot mess of energy known as the big bang. 
 
Pressure & Density
 
After a brief recap of pressure we will move on to practise calculations, with demonstrations the whole class can participate in. We will also recap density, introduced previously in U3. 
 
Work done & power
 
What is work’s relation to energy? And to power? We will learn to calculate the variables such as time and distance using simple equations. Is any work done if you carry books along a corridor? How about up a flight of stairs? 
 
Domestic electricity
 
We will learn about electrical safety, power ratings and paying for electricity. Just how much energy does a light bulb use, and how much does it cost? We will also learn to re-wire plugs, something that hopefully will come in use.