Physics - A Level

Students will enjoy this course and be successful if they:

• Have wide interests (it’s a big subject!) 
• Have a can-do attitude and aren’t put off by set-backs 
• Like Mathematics and logical reasoning 
• Always want to know WHY

Physics students should enjoy and be good at problem solving and working with other people. They should be able to calculate with large and small numbers, deal with simple Algebra, and use diagrams and other graphics to explain their ideas.

A Level students will complete all modules and take 3 exams at the end of the second year.

Students will complete a practical endorsement in physics. This must be completed to pass on to degree courses within the scientific field.

Module 1 – Development of practical skills in physics

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

Physics is a practical subject. The develop­ment and acquisition of practical skills is fundamental. The course provides students with the opportunity to develop experimental methods and tech­niques for analysing empirical data. Skills in planning, implementing, analysing and evaluating, will be assessed in the written papers.

Module 2 – Working as a Physicist

• Physical quantities and units 
• Measurements 
• Scalars and vectors

The aim is to introduce important conventions and ideas that permeate the fabric of physics. Under­standing of physical quantities, S.I. units, scalars and vectors helps physicists to effectively communicate their ideas within the scientific community.

Module 3 – Mechanics

• Motion 
• Forces in action 
• Work, energy and power 
• Materials 
• Momentum

Module 4 – Electrons, waves and photons

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

Students will learn about electrons, electric current, electrical circuits, wave properties, electromagnetic waves and introduces key ideas of quantum physics. Students have the opportunity to appre­ciate how scientific ideas of quantum physics developed over time and their validity rested on the foundations of experimental work.

Module 5 – Further Mechanics and Fields

• Circular motion 
• Oscillations 
• Thermodynamics 
• Electric, Magnetic and Gravitional fields 
• Capacitors

The aim is to show the impact Newtonian mechanics has on physics. Students will learn about circular motion, oscillations, thermal physics and the behaviour of electric, magnetic and gravitational fields.

Module 6 – Nuclear Radiation and Space

• Nuclear Radiation 
• Particle Physics 
• Space

This section covers probing matter to find out about the structure of the atom, sub-atomic particles, radiation and the exploration of space.

Course Specific Trips & Visits & Experiences

The College runs a number of educational experiences each year to enable students to contextualise their learning. These experiences include trips, for example to St George’s teaching hospital to look at the Medical Imaging Process (MRI scans). The College also has a programme of visiting speakers, which includes repre­sentatives from Higher Education and Industry.

Physics affects many different areas of modern life and Physics graduates are in high demand. They have a wide range of career pathways open to them, including:

• Research and Development
• Technical Management
• Finance and Banking
• Computing and Software Design
• Energy or the Health Service
• Media, Marketing, and Teaching

Students studying A Level Physics often go on to study Physics at degree level, or pursue careers in Physics or applied areas such as Engineering.

Physics is the fundamental science that lies at the heart of modern engineering, technology and medicine.

In A level Physics students will study the general rules which underlie all of Science. There are surprisingly few rules but together they govern the behaviour of everything that is physical. The aim is to train our students to recognise, interpret and apply these principles clearly and creatively in a variety of different contexts. Physics is a practical subject: the only way to really understand how objects behave is to experiment and observe. Students will have the chance to gain confidence in handling technical equipment.

Students will need a satisfactory school reference and also meet the following minimum GCSE requirement:

• Core and Additional Science at Grade 7 or Grade 7 in Physics, if taken.