Physics

Why Choose Physics?

Physicists explore the fundamental nature of almost everything we know of. They probe the furthest reaches of the earth to study the smallest pieces of matter. Join them to enter a world deep beneath the surface of normal human experience.

You will develop problem solving skills, analytical skills and mathematical skills. Students with an A-Level in Physics are highly regarded by both Universities and future employers.Possible degrees to consider after studying A-Level Physics include: Mathematics, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Economics and Business.

Studying A-level Physics offers an infinite number of amazing career opportunities including: Geophysicist/field seismologist, Healthcare scientist, medical physics, Higher education lecturer, Radiation protection practitioner, Research scientist (physical sciences), Scientific laboratory technician, Secondary school teacher, Meteorologist, Structural engineer, Acoustic engineer, Product/process development scientist, Systems developer, Technical author.

You can also move into engineering, astrophysics, chemical physics, nanotechnology, renewable energy and more, the opportunities are endless.

Course Content

Year 1:

  • Measurements and their errors
  • Particles and radiation
  • Waves
  • Mechanics and energy
  • Electricity
  • Further Mechanics (periodic motion)

Year 2:

  • Further mechanics continued and thermal physics
  • Fields
  • Nuclear physics
  • Astrophysics

Practicals

Physics, like all sciences, is a practical subject. Throughout the course you will carry out 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

Assessment Pattern

A range of taught theory lessons and practical lessons. There are 12 required practicals and these will be assessed and recorded. Successful completion and passing the associate competencies entitles you to gain an A-Level in Physics ‘with practical endorsement’ – which is a requirement for most universities. Mini assessments for each topic will be used to monitor progress, and more formal review assessments that cover all content taught up to that point will be as per 6th form policy.

There are three exams at the end of the two years for A-level, all of which are two hours long. At least 15% of the marks for A-level Physics are based on what you learned in your practicals.

Paper 1 (34% of A level):

Sections 1 to 5 and 6.1 (Periodic motion)
Written exam: 2 hours, 85 marks: 60 marks of short and long answer questions and 25 multiple choice questions on content.

Paper 2 (34% of A level):

Sections 6.2 (Thermal Physics), 7 and 8, Assumed knowledge from sections 1 to 6.1)
Written exam: 2 hours, 85 marks: 60 marks of short and long answer questions and 25 multiple choice questions on content.

Paper 3 (32% of A level):

Section A Compulsory section: Practical skills and data analysis Section B: 9. Astrophysics Written exam: 2 hours, 80 marks: 45 marks of short and long answer questions on practical experiments and data analysis (Section A). 35 marks of short and long answer questions on Astrophysics (Section B)

Opportunities for learning outside of the classroom

In Year 12 you will be offered a unique residential trip to Geneva in Switzerland to visit CERN. Here, a large particle accelerator is buried deep underground, and is so large it extends around into France before circling back around into Switzerland. We visit this venue and receive a lecture on particle physics as well as a tour of the facilities. On occasion we are lucky enough to go down underground to see the Large Hadron Collider itself.

Quotes from current/ex-students

“The course is interesting and challenging – I love it!”

“I really like the mixture of practical hands-on work with the theoretical side of physics. Learning about particles has been a real eye opener.”