Dainfern College

The subject Physical Sciences is made up of two components – Physics and Chemistry. In Grade 12, the students write two exams (2 hours each) to cover both components. There is also a strong practical aspect in which the students will actively perform experiments on all sections of the syllabus.

At Grade 8 and 9 level, Physical Science forms part of Natural Science, a compulsory subject. Students choosing to take Physical Sciences from Grade 10 must be doing Mathematics, not Mathematical Literacy.

In Grade 10, both the physics and chemistry components become quite substantial. Various topics are covered in physics, such as waves, energy, power, electricity and magnetism. The chemistry component covers all metal and non-metal chemistry, history of the atom, acids and bases, electrolysis, to name but a few. It is especially the physics component at this stage that requires good mathematical skills.

Grades 11 and 12 serve as a combined two-year course. All material covered in these two years is examinable at the end of Grade 12. A portfolio with a value of 25% of the final mark is compiled during the course. The practical component of the syllabus comprises 50% of this mark.

The Physics component covers the following:

Vectors; equations of motion; graphs of motion; Newton’s Laws of motion and gravitational acceleration; momentum; work, energy and power; electricity

The Chemistry component covers the following:

Sulphur, nitrogen and halogens; electrochemistry; acids and bases; rates of reaction; chemical equilibrium; solutions; and organic chemistry.

The entire science syllabus relies heavily on mathematical concepts and cannot be attempted without Mathematics as one of the school subjects offered.

Physical Sciences is a subject that teaches students good analytical skills and knowledge to analyse various everyday occurrences. It does require hard work and diligence from the student, but in the end is an invaluable subject for both future studies and for good conceptual knowledge.


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