Physics

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Is this course for me?

Physics is a challenging A-Level course but if you are competent in areas of maths such as standard form and rearranging equations you will be successful. The course will require you to regularly revisit the work covered in lessons and practice questions which link topic areas together.

Specific Entry Requirements: Higher tier GCSE physics level 6+ or higher tier combined (trilogy) science grades 6+,6+. and 6+ in mathematics.

The Basics…

Gain a deeper understanding of concepts in physics. Studying A-Level Maths alongside A-Level Physics is pre-requisite of the course.

What will I learn?

Content is in six modules, each divided into key topics:

1. Development of practical skills in physics

  • Practical skills assessed in a written examination
  • Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement

2. Foundations in physics

  • Physical quantities & units
  • Making measurements & analysing data
  • Nature of quantities

3. Forces & motion

  • Motion
  • Forces in action
  • Work, energy & power
  • Materials
  • Newton’s laws of motion and momentum Module

4. Electrons, waves & photons

  • Charge and current
  • Energy, power & resistance
  • Electrical circuits
  • Waves
  • Quantum physics

5. Newtonian world & astrophysics

  • Thermal physics
  • Circular motion
  • Oscillations
  • Gravitational fields
  • Astrophysics & cosmology

6. Particles & medical physics

  • Capacitors
  • Electric fields
  • Electromagnetism
  • Nuclear & particle physics
  • Medical imaging

Anything else I need to know?

There is no coursework, instead there are assessed practical tasks. These do not contribute to your final grade but you may be awarded a certificate from the exam board for showing competence in Practical Physics. Many questions in the exams will relate to these practical tasks.

There are three exams for A-Level Physics. These exams contain a mixture of short answer, long answer and multiple-choice questions. All exams are taken at the end of the course.

Future careers:

  • Academic researcher
  • Acoustic consultant
  • Astronomer
  • Clinical scientist, medical physics
  • Geophysicist/ field seismologist
  • Healthcare scientist
  • Higher education lecturer
  • Metallurgist
  • Meteorologist
  • Nanotechnologist
  • Radiation protection practitioner
  • Research scientist (physical sciences)
  • Secondary school teacher
  • Sound engineer
  • Technical author
  • Engineer.

Year 12 Physics Curriculum

Year 13 Physics Curriculum