Scalars, vectors and forces (AQA GCSE FT)

This lesson introduces scalar and vector quantities and examples of each before explaining how forces are either contact or non-contact. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover points 5.1.1 and 5.1.2 of the AQA GCSE Physics and Combined Science specifications, and are specifically written for those students who will take the foundation tier.

The lesson begins with an introduction of the term “magnitude”, to allow students to recognise that this is the size of a physical quantity. This leads into the description of a scalar quantity as a quantity with magnitude only and speed is used as an example. Students are given time to consider what else might be known about a quantity aside from magnitude and this leads to the definition of a vector quantity. Students will learn that vector quantities can be represented by an arrow and this moves the lesson onto forces as another example of a vector quantity. The remainder of the lesson builds on their KS3 knowledge about forces, introducing contact and non-contact and brief descriptions of key forces are provided to prepare the students for upcoming lessons in this topic.

The lesson is full of key points and active modelling is used to support the students to understand how to tackle a concept. There are also several quiz competitions which introduce key terms and help to maintain engagement and motivation.

As described above, this lesson has been written for foundation tier students and is expected to be covered in a lesson ranging between 45 minutes and an hour. It is the 1st lesson in a series of 15 lessons which have been planned to cover the main content of topic P5.