Class details
Physics
IG Year 1
Who?
Students aged about 15 years. There is no prerequisite regarding work previously covered, but some exposure to the basic ideas of physics will definitely be helpful.
What?
This course offers an introduction to the fundamental concepts of physics, including motion (distance, speed, acceleration, etc.), forces, energy, waves and electricity. There is an emphasis on mastery of the basic concepts and skills so that students are well prepared for the more formal and detailed approach that is required for the IG Year 2 course and the IG exam.
Although this course is not essential for the IG Year 2 programme, students who have completed it will have a definite advantage.
Tutor
The tutor for this course is Bruce Button.
There is one class for this course:
IG 1 Physics 25a-25b (R+O)
Venue: Rietfontein and online
Course duration: January 2025 to December 2025
Lesson times: Thursday, 13h45–14h45
Fees: R650 per month over 12 months
The text book for this course is:
Physical science (6th edition), published by Bob Jones University Press (ISBN 978-1-62856-505-8).
The book can be purchased through Imago Education, but we do also offer the option of renting the text book. (Order link here.)
Each student must have the following items:
- Pen, pencil, ruler
- Lever arch file. A single file can be used for Physics and Chemistry. Ten chapter divisions are required for Chemistry and twelve for Physics. In addition, there should be one division each for Physics and Chemistry tests.
- Maths set. Make sure that the compass is not a flimsy one and that it holds the pencil firmly.
- Scientific calculator: although any scientific calculator with a proper algebraic display is adequate for this course, explanations in class will be based on the Sharp EL-W535SA (obtainable at takealot.com).
IG Year 2 & Exam prep
Who?
Students aged about 16 years. It will be a definite advantage if the student has completed the equivalent of our IG Year 1 Physics course, although this is not a formal prerequisite. Students who have had no previous exposure to Physics at a high school level may find the course quite demanding, especially in the beginning, as there will be many new concepts to learn and apply in a short space of time.
Students who have completed the curriculum may join this course during the last semester for revision and exam preparation.
What?
The Cambridge IG Physics curriculum provides an interesting and useful introduction to the the major subdivisions of physics, including motion, forces, energy, pressure, thermal physics, waves (including light and sound), electricity and magnetism, nuclear physics and space physics. There is an emphasis on understanding and applying the concepts, and on performing calculations relevant to each field.
This course spans three semesters, aiming to cover the whole IG syllabus in one year (perhaps slightly more) and leaving approximately ten weeks for revision and focussed exam preparation.
In order to cover the broad scope of the course we have one two-hour lesson per week. Homework exercises are also assigned and tests are written periodically. Solutions are provided for the homework so that students can check their work, and there is opportunity at the beginning of each lesson for students to discuss questions that they may have regarding the homework. Where possible, practical work or demonstrations are also included.
Classes are presented in Rietfontein, Pretoria, but may also be taken online.
Tutor
The tutor for this course is Bruce Button.
Currently we are offering the following classes for this course:
IG 2 Physics 24a-25a (R+O)
Venue: Rietfontein and online
Course duration: January 2024 to June 2025
Exam date: May-June 2025
Lesson times: Thursday 09h40–11h35
Fees: R 1,000 per month over 18 months
IG 2 Physics 25a-26a (R+O)
Venue: Rietfontein and online
Course duration: January 2025 to June 2026
Exam date: May-June 2026
Lesson times: Wednesday 09h40–11h35
Fees: R 1,000 per month over 18 months
The text books for this course are:
Cambridge IGTM Physics (Fourth edition) by Heather Kennett and Tom Duncan, published by Hodder Education/Hachette (ISBN 978-1398-310-544).
Cambridge IGTM Physics workbook (Third edition) by Heather Kennett, published by Hodder Education/Hachette (ISBN 978-1398-310-575).
The text book can be ordered from us using this link.
Students will need the following stationery:
- Lever arch file with 24 divisions (one for each chapter of the text book) plus one division for tests. The numbering of the chapters is as follows:
- 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8
- 2.1, 2.1, 2.3
- 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
- 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5
- 5.1, 5.2
- 6.1, 6.2.
- Ring file for current work. This file is not essential for students who only attend online, but is important for students who attend in person. The ring file can be used to store the current month's work in a few subjects (e.g. Maths, Physics, Chemistry) so that students have all their current work with them in class without having to carry three lever arch files around.
- Maths set. Make sure that the compass is not a flimsy one and that it holds the pencil firmly.
- Scientific calculator: although any scientific calculator with a proper algebraic display is adequate for this course, explanations in class will be based on the Sharp EL-W535SA (obtainable at takealot.com).
AS Level: 18-month programme
Who?
Students who have mastered the concepts of the IG Physics course. Students entering AS Level Physics should ideally have written the IG examination and should have obtained at least a C. Students who have not written the IG examination but can, nevertheless, demonstrate their competence on the IG Physics syllabus may also register for this course.
What?
The Cambridge AS Physics curriculum covers a narrower scope than the IG curriculum, but moves to a significantly higher level in terms of insight, understanding and ability to apply the concepts. There is also an expectation that the student is competent in maths and able to apply mathematical techniques to physics problems. In addition, the curriculum exposes students to experimental methods and techniques in physics, including the analysis of experimental results and the quantification of experimental uncertainty. All in all, the curriculum is very helpful in preparing students for the study of physics at university level.
This course is based on the Cambridge University Press text book. Lessons involve detailed, systematic explanations of the various concepts and skills, and provide students with the opportunity of interacting, asking questions and discussing the material. Attention is given to the needs of each student.
Homework is prescribed each week and students have the opportunity of discussing questions arising from the homework at the next lesson. Students also write tests from time to time to provide an opportunity of measuring their progress.
The course includes a week of practical work in the July holidays so that students are properly prepared for their practical exam.
Substantial time will be allocated at the end of the course for revision and exam practice.
Tutor
The tutor for this course is Bruce Button.
The tutor for all these classes is Bruce Button.
AS Physics 24b-25b (R+O)
Venue: Rietfontein and online
Course duration: August 2024 to December 2025
Exam date: October-November 2025
Lesson times: Tuesday 08h00–09h30
Fees: R1200 per month over 17 months
AS Physics 25a-26a (R+O)
Venue: Rietfontein and online
Course duration: January 2025 to June 2026
Exam date: May-June 2026
Lesson times: Tuesday 09h30–11h00
Fees: R1200 per month over 18 months
The text books for these courses are:
Physics for Cambridge International AS & A Level: coursebook (Third edition) by David Sang, Graham Jones, Gurinder Chadha & Richard Woodside, published by Cambridge University Press (ISBN 9781-108-859-035).
Physics for Cambridge International AS & A Level: workbook (Second edition) by David Sang & Graham Jones, published by Cambridge University Press (ISBN 9781-108-859-110).
The text books can be ordered from us using this link.
Students will need the following stationery:
- Lever arch file with 16 divisions (one for each chapter of the text book) plus one division for tests. Further divisions can be added as the course progresses.
- Ring file for current work. This file is not essential for students who only attend online, but is important for students who attend in person. The ring file can be used to store the current month's work in a few subjects (e.g. Maths, Physics, Chemistry) so that students have all their current work with them in class without having to carry three or four lever arch files around.
- Scientific calculator: any scientific calculator with a proper algebraic display is adequate for this course; our recommendation is the Sharp EL-W535SA (obtainable at takealot.com).