L6 Physicists visit Thorpe Park

In March thirty-five L6 physicists visited Thorpe Park. The visit is designed to supplement the AS practical assessment which accounts for 20% of the AS exam.  This kind of facility is a Mecca for Physics and allows pupils to see the very Physics they are learning being put to great use.

During the visit the students enjoyed a lecture from the park’s educational officer and a member of the engineering team.  This allowed students to appreciate how Physics was used in the park to make the rides feel dangerous yet remain perfectly safe.  It also highlighted the electrical needs of the park and explained how the huge amount of electricity is delivered to the rides so efficiently.  This is the area on which the practical assessment was focused, and on their return students undertook an investigation into resistivity.

Although time in the park was very limited, there was naturally a little time to experience physics in action first hand for those of a sturdy disposition.