Physics

Physics – A-Level Qualification

Examining Body:

AQA

Entry Criteria:

Grade 6 / 6 GCSE Combined Science or Grade 6 GCSE Physics plus, ideally, Grade 6 GCSE Mathematics. Students not meeting these criteria may be accepted after interview

Course Leader:

Miss R Harrison

Why? :

Physics is a broad, creative subject involving experiments, observations, theory and mathematics, computing, technology, materials and information theory. Physics seeks to answer fundamental questions about what, how and why things are as they are. It is concerned with observing, understanding and making predictions about the world around us and man-made systems. Physics drives development in areas such as chemistry, computing, engineering and materials science. The qualification is highly valued and students go on to a wide range of subjects at university or to train for a diverse range of careers.

Course Structure:

Year 1 students will study the following:

Section 1: Measurements and their errors
Section 2: Particles and radiation - including particles, electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena
Section 3: Waves - including progressive and stationary waves, refraction, diffraction and interference
Section 4: Mechanics - including materials, force, energy and momentum
Section 5: Electricity - including current, voltage and resistance

Year 2 students will study the following:

Section 6: Further mechanics and thermal physics - including periodic motion and thermal physics Section 7: Fields and their consequences - including gravitational fields, electric fields, magnetic fields and capacitance
Section 8: Nuclear physics - including radioactivity
Section 9: Astrophysics - including telescopes, classification of stars and cosmology

A-level assessment: three papers, all assessing module 1 to 6 content.

Paper 1 - Includes sections 1-5 and 6.1. This paper is 2 hours, 85 marks and worth 34% of A Level Paper 2 - Includes sections 6.2, 7 and 8. This paper is 2 hours, 85 marks and worth 34% of A Level Paper 3 - Practical skills, data analysis and section 9. This paper is 2 hours, 80 marks and worth 32% of A level Students’ practical skills are teacher assessed but do not affect the overall grade.

Extended Learning:

Homework booklets made of exam questions to be completed by the end of each section to show progress and to identify areas for improvement. Students should spend a significant amount of time on extended learning and support is offered at lunchtime, during study periods and after school.

Curriculum Road Map - Physics