Physical Sciences

Physical Sciences is an IEB elective subject from Grade 10 and is assessed at the end of Grade 12 as part of the national Senior Certificate (‘Matric’).

Students choosing to take Physical Sciences from Grade 10 must take Mathematics, not Mathematical Literacy. Students wishing to follow the Cambridge Studies curriculum from Grade 11 are required to take Physical Sciences in Grade 10 if they wish to take either Physics or chemistry at AS and A level.

The Physical Sciences curriculum is designed to build on the basic concepts introduced in Natural Sciences in the Grades 8 and 9. The subject forms a rich knowledge base as a foundation for the continued study of science at tertiary level and includes the scientific method, i.e., the investigatory approach in both a qualitative and quantitative manner. The curriculum integrates the following topics from both chemistry and physics:

Physics

• Kinematics (motion in one dimension)
• Newton’s Laws and applications of Newton’s Laws
• Momentum, impulse, work, energy and power
• Gravitational and electric fields
• Electric circuits
• Electrodynamics
• Photons and electrons

Chemistry

• Quantitative chemistry
• Chemical bonding
• Energy change & rates of reactions
• Chemical equilibrium
• Acids and bases
• Electrochemistry
• Organic chemistry

As a department we love sharing the mysteries of science with our students. We also enjoy the process of training students to think, question, learn and not just ‘accept’. We encourage a growth mindset, collaboration, teamwork, creativity and imagination, critical thinking, problem solving and technological literacy.