Graphs are a great way of presenting information in a format that is easy to understand but it's important you can describe them accurately as this skill is commonly tested in GCSE Physics papers and it ought to be an easy way to accumulate marks. I recommend a three-step approach, as outlined below. 1. Always … Continue reading Interpreting graphs
Resistance theory
Often it is true in physics that if you can understand one thing then it will automatically help you to understand something else. A good example of this occurs in resistance, where the model of resistance in a wire links directly to the behaviour of circuits that have resistors arranged either in series or in … Continue reading Resistance theory
Revision resources
If you are a member of one of my Y11 classes for 2020-1 then you'll now be on the final straight of your Physics studies. It's a slightly sad time for me because you are the last cohort taking the pure Physics course and I'm especially keen that you all do as well as you … Continue reading Revision resources
Star Count 2021 – Results
Back in February I mentioned the CPRE's 2021 Star Count - and I hoped that we might get more than last year's three entries from Jersey. It's a small increase but this year there were five submissions, most reporting good viewing conditions. A map of this year's results for Jersey is shown below. The full … Continue reading Star Count 2021 – Results
Online Circuit Simulators
One of the best ways to learn about circuits and resistance is by building circuits - either in the classroom or using an online simulation. I've previously recommended PhET DC Circuit simulation, which (despite some non-standard circuit symbols) is still a great way to take measurements that demonstrate concepts such as Ohm's Law. You can … Continue reading Online Circuit Simulators
Astronomy versus Cosmology
The word "astronomy" means the arrangement of the stars but we apply it to the arrangement of the entire Universe, not just stars. It is an observational science, since experiments are difficult to perform on solar systems and galaxies - let alone the entire Universe. Cosmology, on the other hand, is more philosophical and is … Continue reading Astronomy versus Cosmology
Auto-electric?
We all know that fossil fuels are bad for the environment and that their use in cars is being phased out but how much do you know about the alternatives? Electric cars probably spring to mind but what about other options that might actually be better choices? This is relevant for the GCSE course and, … Continue reading Auto-electric?
Microphones and Loudspeakers
There is a great cross-over between two topics, waves and electricity, when we come to moving-coil microphones and loudspeakers. This pair of devices can be thought of as the sound-wave equivalent of motors and generators. Motors turn electrical energy into kinetic energy whereas generators turn kinetic energy into electrical energy. Similarly, microphones turn sound waves … Continue reading Microphones and Loudspeakers
Transformers
The famous "electricity war" between Edison and Tesla wasn't just about electricity generation, it was also about electricity distribution. Edison's DC electricity couldn't be sent very far due to power losses but Tesla's AC could go much further and benefit people over a much wider area. Efficient electricity distribution relies on minimising power loses due … Continue reading Transformers
Under(water) Pressure
Pressure explains why an applied force makes a drawing pin goes into the noticeboard and not your thumb: it also explains why a sharp knife is safer than a blunt one when practising culinary skills. There is also another aspect of pressure that relates to forces within a fluid (liquid or gas) and that is … Continue reading Under(water) Pressure
Mr Tarrant's physbang 'blog 