Physics

Course summary

This course is for students who want to continue studying physics after GCSE. You'll already be familiar with some of the topics like forces and electricity, but the A level will give you the chance to study these and some new ones, in much greater depth. You might be choosing physics because you're headed for a scientific career, though it will give you transferable skills that can be used in a wide range of non-scientific careers too. You'll need a keen interest in the subject and good mathematical skills. You'll cover the foundations of physics, learn about Newton's laws of motion, be able to model the motion of objects using mathematics and understand the effect forces have on objects. You'll learn about electrons, electric current, electrical circuits, wave properties, electromagnetic waves and quantum physics. You'll cover astrophysics and cosmology and get an understanding of how the scientific ideas of the Big Bang have been developed over time and supported by research. You'll also get to explore nuclear, medical and particle physics.