MTS Competes in British Physics Olympiad

By Alex Quarry (U6)

Each year, the British Physics Olympiad runs a competition (also named the British Physics Olympiad) designed to stretch A-Level students. The aim is to determine the team of five who will represent the UK in the annual International Physics Olympiad. This November just past, 12 MTS Upper Sixth Physics students took part in the first round of the competition.

The first round consisted of two 80-minute sections, each contributing a maximum of 50 points to the overall score. Section 1 had a series of shorter, 3-6 mark questions on a variety of topics, including electromagnetism, optics, and mechanics. Although short, these questions proved challenging, especially towards the end of the grueling 80 minute first round. Section 2 involved us answering two of four longer form 25-mark questions, which applied the physics we’ve learned at A-Level to more complex problems. This year focused upon wind turbines, hot air balloons, satellites, and electrical circuits.

To recognise the success of participants, the British Physics Olympiad gives out the following awards for doing well in the competition: Bronze II, Bronze I, Silver, Gold, and Top Gold. This year, all of us did well enough to receive awards, a testament to the hard work we have all put in and to the Physics Extension classes run by the school, which have helped push our understanding of the subject further.

The Physics Department at MTS is delighted to announce continued success in both the Lower and Upper Sixth Olympiad Competitions. These competitions make demands of candidates well beyond the A-level syllabus and a top award places the individual among the very best of the best nationwide. Our overall total of 9 gold medals and 23 silver medals is a fitting tribute to the dedication of our Sixth Form Physicists or the “Top Quarks” as they shall be known. We congratulate our students and look forward to their next successes.

MTS' Results:

To help situate the impressive caliber of our students' performance, please refer to the scoring breakdown below:

 On the basis of these outstanding marks, Alex and Krishna have been invited to compete in the second round of the competition. We wish them both good luck!