Tier
New
Grade
Physics Year 8 Grade Descriptors
P4 - Energy
Relate the term ‘energy’ to work.
Recall and rearrange the equation for efficiency and be able to explain fully how this relates to dissipated (wasted) energy, as well as evaluating how to reduce this.
Use and rearrange the inverse relationship between period and frequency.
Explain how fossil fuels can be used to generate electricity using a steam-electric power station.
Write balanced symbol equations for combustion of various fuels.
Evaluate the suitability and environmental impact of different methods of generating electricity.
Explain the process of energy transfer by conduction in terms of electrons.
9
Higher
8
7
P5 - Waves
Describe what happens when waves superpose.
Explain the changes in all the wave properties when crossing boundaries.
Explain real-life examples of refraction and predict location of objects based on materials light is passing through.
Compare the eye with a camera.
Describe how the retina of the eye can detect light and colour.
Link your knowledge of the human ear to explain the problems of sound damage caused by a lack of ear defenders.
Explain in detail the problems of sound damage caused by a lack of ear defenders.
P4 - Energy
Evaluate the use of energy sources.
Fully describe energy conversions in terms of the principle of the conservation of energy.
Write symbol equations for combustion of various fuels.
Evaluate an experiment to measure energy content of various fuels.
Fully describe and explain advantages and disadvantages of various energy resources, to include their use for transport, heating and generating electricity, as well as patterns and trends in their
use.
Describe convection currents in terms of changes in density.
Explain cooling by radiation in terms of infra-red radiation.
P5 - Waves
Rearrange and use the wave equation.
Explain refraction in terms of changing speeds at the boundary between materials.
Apply your knowledge to explain why objects seem to change colour in coloured light.
Apply your knowledge particles and sound waves to explain your choice of materials for ear mufflers.
P4 - Energy
Use the equation for efficiency and be able to explain how this relates to dissipated (wasted) energy, as well as suggesting how to reduce this.
Measure and compare the energy content of various fuels.
Compare different methods of generating electricity and comment on their environmental impact.
Explain the process of energy transfer by conduction, convection and radiation using particle theory.
P5 - Waves
Describe the changes in speed of waves as they pass through different materials.
Construct a ray diagram to demonstrate how an image can be viewed using a plane mirror.
Describe the effects of reflection and refraction.
Apply your knowledge to explain what colour will be absorbed and which are reflected for a range of filters.
Predict the characteristics of a sound based on frequency and amplitude.
P4 - Energy
Describe the most suitable energy source for a particular scenario.
Use the wave equation and describe methods for measuring wave speed.
Describe energy conversions in terms of the principle of the conservation of energy.
Compare the energy content of various fuels using given data.
Describe that global resources are limited and explain why energy should be used efficiently.
Explain the effect of thermal energy on particles and their arrangements.
6
Middle
5
P5 - Waves
Compare the differences between longitudinal and transverse waves, giving examples.
Compare specular reflection and diffuse scattering.
Explain in detail the image that is formed in a plane mirror.
Describe what refraction is.
Explain what filters are and how they work.
Explain how the properties of sound are affected by ear mufflers.
Explain in detail why speed of sound changes in different materials.
P4 - Energy
Describe the use of energy sources for transport, heating and generating electricity.
Describe the difference between temperature and thermal energy.
Suggest alternative methods for generating electricity.
Use detailed energy transfer diagrams to show how energy can be stored or transferred.
Write word equations for combustion of various fuels.
P5 - Waves
Describe wave motion in terms of their amplitude, wavelength, frequency and period.
Describe the link between frequency and pitch, amplitude and loudness.
Contrast the speed of sound with the speed of light.
Explain simply how the eye works.
Explain the image that is formed in a plane mirror.
Name the secondary colours and how are they made.
Explain why speed of sound changes in different materials.
Explain which materials you would use to create ear mufflers.
4
P4 - Energy
Understand the meaning of temperature.
Briefly describe the use of energy sources for transport, heating and generating electricity.
Describe the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources using examples.
Write the generic word equation for combustion.
Use simple energy transfer diagrams to show how energy can be stored or transferred.
Identify advantages and disadvantages of various energy sources.
3
P5 - Waves
Describe longitudinal and transverse waves giving examples.
Describe the law of reflection.
Describe that the order of the spectrum is in relation to its wavelength.
Describe how frequency and amplitude relate to the sound we hear.
Simply explain why speed of sound changes in different materials.
Describe transverse and longitudinal waves.
P4 - Energy
Describe how heat transfers from different places.
Briefly describe how energy can be stored and transferred.
Identify different energy sources as renewable or non-renewable.
Rank fuels in order of energy content using simple data.
Describe how energy can be dissipated (wasted).
Identify different types of energy sources.
Lower
P5 - Waves
Label the wavelength and amplitude of a wave.
Label the features of a ray diagram
Describe that different colours have different wavelengths.
Name the two main types of waves.
P4 - Energy
Recall that there are different sources of energy, such as gas, oil or coal.
Identify that energy is neither created nor destroyed.
Recall that there are different sources of energy, such as gas, oil or coal.
Identify that temperature is a measurement of heat.
Identify that different coloured surfaces heat up and cool down at different rates.
2
P5 - Waves
State that a wave carries energy.
Identify reflections.
Identify the colours of the spectrum in order.
Identify sound is caused by vibrations.
1
P5 - Waves
Associate waves with water.
Identify the colours of the spectrum.
Identify the difference between sound and noise.