Physics

Course summary

A Level of Physics allows you to explore the fundamental nature of the universe, from the subatomic scale to the Universe as a whole. You will learn to investigate and solve problems in a wide range of contexts and have the opportunity to develop useful experimental skills through a series of experiments and investigations. You will develop your knowledge, competence, and confidence in problem solving and also learn how society makes decisions about scientific issues which contributes to the success, and failures, of the economy and society. There is a strong mathematical thread running throughout the course, however, your powers of estimation, detailed description, and explanations will also be required in each and every context. All students are expected to independently study, research, and read around topics in their own time in order to cope with the demands of the course. The recommended ratio to challenge for the highest grades is an accepted 1:3 contact time to independent study. In Year 12: the units covered during the two-year course are • Measurements and their errors • Particles and radiation • Waves • Mechanics and materials • Electricity • Further mechanics and thermal physics • Fields and their consequences • Nuclear physics In Year 13: 5 optional topics as part of the full A Level course so students can focus on 1 area of interest • Astrophysics • Medical physics • Engineering physics • Turning points in physics • Electronics