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Accessibility statement
In this module, you’ll examine fundamental physics and space sciences concepts. Its nine topics and practical activities will help prepare you to study physics, astronomy or planetary science. You’ll learn through solving physical science problems while acquiring computer programming knowledge and practising your existing maths skills.
To begin, you’ll develop your understanding of different scales – particularly those that are much larger or smaller than will be familiar to you. You’ll then meet concepts and principles in classical and quantum physics and the space sciences through the nine topics. Alongside each topic, you’ll practise your maths skills, applying them to problems in physical sciences. You’ll also be introduced to computer coding, using the Python programming language.
Topic 1 – Forces around you
You’ll explore the types of forces encountered in everyday life, including elastic and frictional forces, as well as gravitational and electromagnetic forces.
Topic 2 – An introduction to energy
You’ll meet the concept of energy and the idea of energy conservation. You’ll learn about some of the different forms that energy can take, including kinetic energy and potential energy, as well as the notions of work and heat.
Topic 3 – Material worlds
You’ll examine how the microscopic structure of materials – at the level of atoms, ions, and electrons – explains some of how materials behave, through the concept of chemical bonding.
Topic 4 – The quantum realm
This topic will introduce you to the world of quantum phenomena, including the uncertainty principle, wave-particle duality and quantum numbers in atoms – leading to an understanding of the periodic table.
Topic 5 – Energy in society
You’ll explore different fuel sources and examine how energy is used to heat homes and transport.
Topic 6 – Nuclei and particles
You’ll learn about the subatomic components of the world around us, including radioactivity, the fundamental particles of matter, and the processes that govern their interactions.
Topic 7 – Components of the Universe
You’ll explore the galaxies, stars and planets that make up the Universe and understand how astronomers can study objects that are very distant from Earth, including exoplanets and dark matter.
Topic 8 – Exploring the Solar System
You’ll discover how the various planets, moons, asteroids and comets of our Solar System are explored using landers and remote-sensing spacecraft.
Topic 9 – How the Universe works
You’ll learn about the expansion and cooling of the Universe, how it evolved from the Big Bang to the present day, and its likely future.
Practical work
Some topics include home-based experiments, which you’ll carry out using everyday items. You’ll also conduct two online practical activities: based on data from a weather station and using a radioactive particle detector called a cloud chamber. The online activities provide opportunities for collaborative teamwork with your fellow students.
Computer programming
You’ll also be introduced to computer coding, using the Python programming language. Throughout your learning, in a series of dedicated study weeks, you’ll develop your understanding of coding and apply your newly developed skills to write simple programs to solve physical science problems.
You’ll need:
Are you ready for SM123?
We recommend that you've passed Questions in science (S111) and passed or be studying Essential mathematics 1 (MST124) – as you’ll build on your existing study skills, maths, practical and investigative skills.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
Your TMAs comprise 39% of your overall score. We’ll assess you on the activities you complete, as well as practical and computer-programming tasks.
Your exam result contributes 61% to your overall score. The exam is based on materials such as articles, data, figures and graphs. These materials are available in advance to help you prepare. As well as assessing your knowledge and skills, the exam gives you practice for exams in future modules.
The School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences offers optional laboratory schools in Milton Keynes at an additional cost. Laboratory schools are not part of this module but may be of interest if you wish to gain relevant hands-on laboratory experience.
Further information and instructions for booking are on the SS011 website.
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
Additionally, the website includes:
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying SM123 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Physics and space (SM123) starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2028.
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