Physics

We offer Edexcel as our A level choice. There is no longer a coursework element to the course. Practical skills will be assessed through standard experiments, defined by the exam board, and assessed by the classroom teacher. This will be awarded as a separate mark.

The A-Level will have all practical skills assessed in the written papers. The papers will also include a higher proportion of Mathematical skills that will be taught as part of the specification, this being approximately 40% for Physics.

There is more emphasis on higher mathematical ability in the Sciences so you will have to gain a grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics to continue with Physics post-16.

What will I learn?

AS: Core Physics I

AS: Core Physics II

A Level: Advanced Physics I

A-Level: Advanced Physics II

This unit will look at Mechanics and Electric Circuits. Students will study how to analyse the forces an object experiences and how this affects its motion. Detailed analysis of circuits will enable students to explain circuit behaviour. Both areas are directly applicable to many engineering problems and the use of modern circuits in virtually every aspect of life. This paper is worth 50% of the AS Qualification. This unit will study the properties of Materials, both solid and liquid, to understand how they behave under different conditions. Waves will be studied in detail, understanding their properties and characteristics. The Particle Nature of Light looks at how light can behave like a particle and is a brief look into Quantum Physics. Areas studied provide a basis for detailed study of many areas of Physics and have multiple applications in industry. This paper is worth 50% of the AS Qualification. The practical skills will be assessed and practised throughout both modules and assessed within the examination papers.

As well as the topics taught in AS Core Physics this unit will study Further Mechanics, Electric and Magnetic Fields and Nuclear and Particle Physics. This will further build on knowledge from their AS studies but looking in more detail. Electric and Magnetic Felds have many applications in motors, generators and energy storage systems. Nuclear and Particle Physics touches on one of the recent areas of significant advance and the study of particle interactions gives an insight to this. This paper is worth 30% of the A-Level qualification. As well as the topics taught in AS Core Physics II this unit will study Thermodynamics, Space, Nuclear Radiation, Gravitational Fields and Oscillations. This unit begins to explore a variety of areas of Physics that have many practical applications. Areas of recent development and questions such as the fate of the Universe will be discussed and studied. This paper is worth 30% of the A-Level qualification.

A-Level: General and Practical Principles in Physics

This paper may draw on any area studied in previous modules. It will include synoptic questions that may draw on other topics. This paper will assess conceptual & theoretical understanding of experimental methods. This paper is worth 40%of the A-Level qualification.

What can I do after I’ve completed the course?

Physics leads on to a wide range of courses and careers, especially in Engineering and Science. Physics is an enabling subject, in that many Universities will accept Physics as an A-Level to gain access to their courses. You could use Physics to support other qualifications or move on to further studies or employment. Many organisations value a qualification in A-Level Physics even if it is not directly relevant to their business.

Exam Board - EDEXCEL

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The qualification builds on the knowledge, understanding and process skills that you achieved in GCSE Science.

You will need at least a grade 6:6 in GCSE combined science

(including Physics element) or grade 6 Physics and grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics. Communication is also important as you will need to be able to communicate effectively, carry out research and critically think about problems.