Physics - KS5

The course is divided into six key modules. 

Modules three and four are typically covered in year 12, whilst modules five and six are covered in year 13.  Modules one and two are fundamental concepts and underpin all the other topics.

1.  Practical skills in Physics

• Planning and experimental design
• Implementation
• Analysis and Evaluation

2.  Foundations of Physics

• Physical quantities and units
• Precision, accuracy, and uncertainties
• Scalars and vectors

3.  Forces and motion

• Motion
• Forces in action
• Work, energy, and power
• Materials
• Newton's laws of motion

4.  Electrons, waves, and photons

• Charge and current
• Energy, power, and resistance
• Electrical circuits
• Waves
• Quantum physics

5. Newtonian world and astrophysics

• Thermal physics
• Circular motion
• Oscillations
• Gravitational fields
• Astrophysics and cosmology

6.  Particles and medical physics

• Capacitors
• Electric fields
• Electromagnetism
• Nuclear and particle physics
• Medical imaging

Students following this course will gain a wide variety of knowledge and skills including:

• Critical thinking and analytical skills

• Ability to model and solve problems mathematically

• Ability to use a range of scientific instruments to test hypotheses

• Preparation for careers in engineering, architecture, computer science, research, medicine, and many more.

Studying A-Level Physics equips our students with a wide range of transferrable skills that can go on to pursue an equally wide range of careers.  Here are some examples, although there is no end to where Physics can take you!

1. Engineering

Engineers are the backbone of society.  There are a wide range of engineering specialisms, such as mechanical, civil, and aerospace.  Most of them require a Physics A-Level alongside Maths.  Careers in engineering could lead you to helping build new structures, testing a new type of airplane, or helping build supercomputers.

2. Computer Science

Understanding computer programming is a key part of any Physics degree, Physicists often using coding to help create programs to analyse and model Physics interactions.  An A-Level in Physics can be helpful when studying Computer Science at university or after studying Physics at University.

3. Medical Physics

A lot of cutting edge diagnostics in medicine stem from Physics.  The careers in medical physics include radiographers, building medical equipment, working with particle accelerators for nuclear medicine, and developing next generation prosthetics.

4. Journalism and Media

Part of a Physics curriculum involves the ability to critically analyse sources of data, evaluating experimental procedures undertaken by others and peer reviewing conclusions.  In a world heavily influenced by Science, the ability to understand and communicate scientific breakthroughs effectively is much sought after in journalism.

5. Research scientist

Many simple pieces of everyday life that we take for granted were the result of an innovation by a Scientist somewhere else.  The ballpoint pen and the computer mouse, for example, were engineered by NASA scientists as part of the space program.  There are many pressing issues acting on our world today that Physicists can play a pivotal role in solving.  Physicists are heavily involved in pushing the boundaries of technology such as quantum computing, medical research studies, and finding solutions to combat global warming and the energy crisis.  This is just to name a few areas that Physicists undertake research in!

For students to be successful in Physics they must be able to conceptualise concepts, be confident in their ability to use mathematical skills (particularly algebra and trigonometry), and, of course, be interested in the subject!

Entry Requirments:  

• If studying separate (triple) Physics, then a grade 7 in Physics.
• If studying combined Science, then a grade 7 in Maths.

It is helpful, but not necessary, to be studying A-Level Maths alongside A-Level Physics.

There are two sides to the A-Level Physics course that are assessed independently.

1.  The A-Level Grade

The A-Level is assessed through three different exams at the end of the course.  The exams are as follows:

• Modelling Physics

  • Covering modules 1-4
  • 2 hours 15 min exam
  • 100 marks, approximately 37% of the A-Level
     

• Exploring Physics

  • Covering modules 1-2, 5-6
  • 2 hours 15 min exam
  • 100 marks, approximately 37% of the A-Level
    ​

• Unified Physics

  • Synoptic paper that can cover all content
  • 1 hour 30 min exam
  • 70 marks, approximately 26% of the A-Level

The papers are a mix of short and long answer questions, with strong focus on practical investigations and interpretation of results/graph work.  The first two papers also have a multiple choice section.

2. Practical Endorsement

Throughout your two years studying A-Level Physics, you will undertake a minimum of 12 assessed practicals (referred to as PAGs).  Within each practical will be a series of key skills that students are working to achieve.  These skills can be typically divided as:

A: Practical Skills

This covers methodology, ability to follow instructions, following scientific processes, recording of information, and research/reference skills.

B: Use of equipment

This ensures that all students studying the A-Level course have had the opportunity to use a range of different equipment.  This ranges from familiar equipment (ammeters, rulers, stopwatches) to new equipment (data loggers and software, oscilloscopes, lasers, and Geiger-Muller tubes).

The Practical Endorsement is reported as a Pass or a Fail.  This has no bearing on the A-Level grade, although students going onto study a degree with a practical element will be expected to achieve a pass as part of their entry requirements.  There are multiple opportunities throughout the two years to pass each skill.