A Level Physics

The Engine of Discovery...

Head of Department: Mr T Tahan

Physics is ambitious in its remit, it attempts to understand the nature of energy and matter – in other words it covers almost everything.  From the unimaginably small components of matter to the mind-blowing vastness of the universe we will give you an introduction to some of the ideas that underlie physics and the advances we have made in understanding them.

CURRICULUM INFORMATION (Physics)

WHAT WILL I BE STUDYING ON THE COURSE?

The course covers fundamental ideas in physics. You will study six teaching modules:

Module 1:  Development of practical skills in Physics
Module 2:  Foundations of Physics
Module 3:  Forces and Motion
Module 4:  Electrons, Waves and Photons
Module 5:  Newtonian world and Astrophysics
Module 6:  Particles and Medical Physics

Assessment
Paper 1: Modelling Physics
External written examination, 37% of A Level

Paper 2: Exploring Physics
External written examination, 37% of A Level

Paper 3: Unified Physics
External written examination, 26% of A Level

Paper 4: Practical Endorsement
Non-examination assessment and reported separately

WHAT WILL I BE DOING IN LESSONS?

We very much believe in hands-on physics and giving you the chance to see things happen.  We always include as many different types of activity as possible:

• practical work to develop your skills and enhance your understanding of the theory
• 12 required practical activities to assess your practical skills
• demonstrations of physical principles
• questions requiring calculations or written answers
• quizzes
• using the course textbooks and online resources
• discussing concepts and their implications
• thinking

HOW WILL THE COURSE BE ASSESSED?

This is a two year linear A level course.  In the second year of the course, you will take external exams that assess content covered in the first and second year.  These exams will determine your A level grade.

There are three papers at the end of the second year:

• Paper 1 - sections 1 to 5 and 6.1 (periodic motion) – 34%
• Paper 2 - sections 6.2 (thermal physics), 7 and 8 – 34%
• Paper 3 - Section A: practical skills and data analysis. Section B: additional topic (one of sections 9 to 13) - 32%

A separate endorsement of practical skills will be taken alongside the A level.  This will be assessed by your teacher and will be based on direct observation of your competency in a range of skills not assessable in written exams.

WHICH OTHER SUBJECTS GO WELL WITH Physics?

For any degree course, or most apprenticeships directly related to physics, you will need to study mathematics as well.  This includes any type of engineering or economics course.  For a third subject, there are many options, including further maths, computing, economics, geography, law, another science or any foreign language.  Students have also chosen to study it successfully with subjects such as English, history and art.

AND AFTER THE COURSE?

A pass in physics is essential for many careers including those in science, engineering and the medical field, but don’t forget that physics is a highly regarded A level whatever your future choice of career.  Physics graduates are highly valued for their problem-solving and numeracy.  Some examples of other careers open to you include: architecture, engineering, economics, research and development, merchant banking, oceanography, photography, cartography, science broadcasting or journalism, computer-aided design, quantity surveying, graphic art and technical jobs in media.

WHICH EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS WILL I LEARN?

• Understand, manipulate and make use of numerical data
• Scientific practical skills
• Decision making and reasoning
• Problem solving
• Good communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Team building skills
• Ability to meet deadlines

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PHYSICS

Q:  What grades are required?
A:  You should have a grade 7 in maths, and must study maths at A level.  You should have a grade 6-6 in GCSE double science, or grade 6s in physics and another science.  You should have a grade 5 in English language.

Q:  Will it matter if I've done double science rather than triple?
A:  Not at all, we have evaluated students' final A level results and found there is no statistical difference between those who studied double compared to triple science.

Q:  Do I need to study maths as well?
A:  Yes.  There are two reasons for this:
- A level physics has a high maths content and without the support of maths, some students struggle with their physics.
- Many HE courses and apprenticeships you might be considering when choosing to study A level physics also require you to have A level maths too, e.g. areas such as physics, engineering, architecture and economics. 
-  Further mathematics should be taken if you are a potential applicant to the most competitive universities for a physics-related course.

Q:  What subjects go well with it?
A: Apart from maths there are many options, including further maths, computing, economics, geography, law, another science or any foreign language.  Students have also chosen to study physics successfully with subjects such as English, history, business and art.  

Q:  How big are classes?
A:  Because we work in labs and try to do as much practical work as we can, which of course involves a lot of equipment, our classes are limited to 20 students.

Q:  What do you do in lessons?
A:  We very much believe in hands-on physics and giving you the chance to see things happen.  We always include as many different types of activity as possible:
- practical work to develop your skills and enhance your understanding of the theory
- 12 required practical activities to assess your practical skills
- demonstrations of physical principles
- questions requiring calculations or written answers
- quizzes
- using the course textbooks and online resources
- discussing concepts and their implications
- thinking.

HEAR FROM SOME OF OUR STUDENTS

CAREERS AND LABOUR MARKET INFORMATION

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