KEY STAGE 3

Electricity and magnetism

1. how to design and construct series and parallel circuits, and how to measure current and voltage
2. that the current in a series circuit depends on the number of cells and the number and nature of other components and that current is not 'used up' by components
3. that energy is transferred from batteries and other sources to other components in electrical circuits
   
   Magnetic fields
   
   
4. about magnetic fields as regions of space where magnetic materials experience forces, and that like magnetic poles repel and unlike poles attract
   
   Electromagnets
   
   
5. that a current in a coil produces a magnetic field pattern similar to that of a bar magnet
6. how electromagnets are constructed and used in devices [for example, relays, lifting magnets].

Forces and motion

1. how to determine the speed of a moving object and to use the quantitative relationship between speed, distance and time
2. that the weight of an object on Earth is the result of the gravitational attraction between its mass and that of the Earth
3. that unbalanced forces change the speed or direction of movement of objects and that balanced forces produce no change in the movement of an object
4. ways in which frictional forces, including air resistance, affect motion [for example, streamlining cars, friction between tyre and road]
   
   Force and rotation
   
   
5. that forces can cause objects to turn about a pivot
6. the principle of moments and its application to situations involving one pivot
   
   Force and pressure
   
   
7. the quantitative relationship between force, area and pressure and its application [for example, the use of skis and snowboards, the effect of sharp blades, hydraulic brakes].
   

Vibration and sound

Light and sound

3) Pupils should be taught:

1. that light travels in a straight line at a finite speed in a uniform medium
2. that non-luminous objects are seen because light scattered from them enters the eye
3. how light is reflected at plane surfaces
4. how light is refracted at the boundary between two different materials
5. that white light can be dispersed to give a range of colours
6. the effect of colour filters on white light and how coloured objects appear in white light and in other colours of light
   
   Hearing
   
   
7. that sound causes the eardrum to vibrate and that different people have different audible ranges
8. some effects of loud sounds on the ear [for example, temporary deafness]
   
   Vibration and sound
   
   
9. that light can travel through a vacuum but sound cannot, and that light travels much faster than sound
10. the relationship between the loudness of a sound and the amplitude of the vibration causing it
11. the relationship between the pitch of a sound and the frequency of the vibration causing it.

The Earth and beyond

1. how the movement of the Earth causes the apparent daily and annual movement of the Sun and other stars
2. the relative positions of the Earth, Sun and planets in the solar system
3. about the movements of planets around the Sun and to relate these to gravitational forces
4. that the Sun and other stars are light sources and that the planets and other bodies are seen by reflected light
5. about the use of artificial satellites and probes to observe the Earth and to explore the solar system.

Energy resources and energy transfer

1. about the variety of energy resources, including oil, gas, coal, biomass, food, wind, waves and batteries, and the distinction between renewable and non-renewable resources.
2. about the Sun as the ultimate source of most of the Earth's energy resources and to relate this to how coal, oil and gas are formed
3. that electricity is generated by means of a variety of energy resources
   
   Conservation of energy
   
   
4. the distinction between temperature and heat, and that differences in temperature can lead to transfer of energy
5. ways in which energy can be usefully transferred and stored
6. how energy is transferred by the movement of particles in conduction, convection and evaporation, and that energy is transferred directly by radiation
7. that although energy is always conserved, it may be dissipated, reducing its availability as a resource.

KEY STAGE 4

Electricity

1. that resistors are heated when a charge flows through them
2. the qualitative effect of changing resistance on the current in a circuit
3. the quantitative relationship between resistance, voltage and current
4. how current varies with voltage in a range of devices [for example, resistors, filament bulbs, diodes, light dependent resistors (LDRs) and thermistors]
   
   Mains electricity
   
   
5. the difference between direct current (dc) and alternating current (ac)
6. the functions of the live, neutral and earth wires in the domestic mains supply, and the use of insulation, earthing, fuses and circuit breakers to protect users of electrical equipment
7. how electrical heating is used in a variety of ways in domestic contexts
8. how measurements of energy transferred are used to calculate the costs of using common domestic appliances.
   

Waves

1. about the reflection and refraction of waves, including light and sound as examples of transverse and longitudinal waves
2. the meaning of frequency, wavelength and amplitude of a wave
   
   The electromagnetic spectrum
   
   
3. that the electromagnetic spectrum includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet waves, X-rays and gamma rays
4. some ways in which microwaves, infrared and ultraviolet waves are used and the potential dangers of these
5. some uses of X-rays and gamma rays in medicine
6. that radio waves, microwaves, infrared and visible light carry information over large and small distances, including global transmission via satellites
7. the difference between analogue and digital signals
   
   Sound and ultrasound
   
   
8. about sound and ultrasound waves, and some medical and other uses of ultrasound.

The Earth and beyond

1. the relative positions and sizes of planets, stars and other bodies in the universe [for example, comets, meteors, galaxies, black holes]
2. how gravity acts as a force throughout the universe
3. how stars evolve over a long timescale
4. about some ideas used to explain the origin and evolution of the universe
5. about the search for evidence of life elsewhere in the universe.

Energy resources and energy transfer

1. how insulation is used to reduce transfer of energy from hotter to colder objects
2. about the efficient use of energy, the need for economical use of energy resources, and the environmental implications of generating energy
   
   Electromagnetic effects
   
   
3. how simple ac generators work
4. how energy is transferred from power stations to consumers.

Radioactivity

1. that radioactivity arises from the breakdown of an unstable nucleus
2. about some sources of the ionising radiation found in all environments
3. the characteristics of alpha and beta particles and of gamma radiation
4. the beneficial and harmful effects of radiation on matter and living organisms.

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