A Level - Physics

Course Summary

Subject: Physics

Course Title: A Level - Physics

Course Types: Sixth Form

Course Level: A-Level

Course Description

Introduction and Course Description

Physics requires the knowledge and understanding of many facts and principles. It looks at why things happen and how things work. The accumulation of knowledge from Year 7 to 11 is necessary for the understanding of the ideas which are developed. Much of the work is new, but is a logical extension of GCSE material in much greater depth.

A Level

The course consists of three externally assessed modules together with the science practical endorsement. Examinations take place at the end of Year 13. A summary of the content for the A Level course is as follows:

Paper 1: Advanced Physics I

• Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes
• 30% of the total qualification
• 90 marks

The paper may include multiple-choice, short open, open-response, calculations and extended writing questions

Course Content

• Working as a Physicist
• Further Mechanics
• Mechanics
• Electric and Magnetic Fields
• Electric Circuits
• Nuclear and Particle Physics

Paper 2: Advanced Physics 2

• Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes
• 30% of the total qualification
• 90 marks

The paper may include multiple-choice, short open, open-response, calculations and extended writing questions.

Course Content

• Working as a Physicist
• Space
• Materials
• Nuclear Radiation
• Waves and Particle Nature of Light
• Gravitational Fields
• Thermodynamics
• Oscillations

Paper 3: General and Practical Principles in Physics

• Written examination: 2 hour 30 minutes
• 40% of the total qualification
• 120 marks

The paper may include multiple-choice, short open, open-response, calculations and extended writing questions.

Course Content

• Questions in this paper may draw on any of the topics in this specification
• The paper will include synoptic questions that may draw on two or more different topics
• The paper will include questions that assess conceptual and theoretical understanding of experimental methods (indirect practical skills) that will draw on students’ experiences of the core practicals

Practicals

Physics, like all sciences, is a practical subject. The assessment of practical skills is a compulsory requirement of the course of study for A Level physics. It will appear on all students’ certificates as a separately reported result, alongside the overall grade for the qualification. Throughout the course, you will carry out a minimum of 12 practical activities including:

• investigating interference and diffraction of laser light
• measuring acceleration due to gravity
• investigating systems that oscillate
• investigation of the links between temperature, volume and pressure
• safe use of ionising radiation
• investigating magnetic fields.

Future Opportunities

If a student is entering any scientific, engineering or mathematical course he may well find that Advanced Level Physics is a suggested requirement of entry. The principles and technologies involved in the course are relevant to many aspects of study. Employers rate physics qualifications highly, so studying physics will open doors to a surprising variety of careers.

Course Entry Guidelines

Physics is not an easy option at Advanced level and at least a Grade 7 at GCSE level is needed for entry.

See what career this course can give you access

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