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PHYSICS
Examination Board: AQA
Course Tutors:
Mr A L Breslin, Mrs M Hervé, Miss R Gates.
‘AS’ Level
Course outline: The course will build on knowledge and skills developed at GCSE. To do well,
you need to be the sort of person who enjoys using maths, especially algebra, and logical
argument to answer questions about how the world works. You will study basic topics such as
mechanics, electricity and waves as well as being introduced to some of the ideas in quantum
physics.
Units: 1. Sub atomic particles, quantum physics, electricity
2. Mechanics (Forces and motion), waves and materials physics
3. Investigative and Practical skills
Units will not necessarily be taught in this order.
Assessment: Units 1 and 2 by short external written exam. Unit 3 can be assessed internally
(i.e. by the course tutor). It involves writing up some aspect of practical work. Alternatively,
there is an option for a practical examination.
‘A2’ Level
Course outline: The course builds on earlier work. Mathematical modelling is extended to
describe forces by the concepts of electric, magnetic and gravitational fields. We study
radioactive decay and employ particle models to describe thermal energy. The course finishes
with a range of options including medical physics, astrophysics, applied physics or advanced
physics including relativity.
Units: 4. Magnetic, electric and gravitational fields, mechanics of rotation and oscillation
5. Nuclear physics, Thermal physics and the optional topic
6. Investigative and Practical skills
Assessment: Units 4 and 5 by short external written exam. Unit 6 can be assessed internally (i.e.
by the course tutor). It involves writing up some aspect of practical work. Alternatively, there is
an option for a practical examination.
Learning and Teaching Styles: Students develop problem solving and practical skills working
in small groups and individually. Students are generally introduced to new concepts via whole
group teaching. The practising of problem solving is an important aspect of private study and
more sophisticated approaches are developed in the A2 course. Students are able to work with a
range of modern equipment to study practical aspects of the subject. There will be an assessment
of practical and investigative skills.
Note: It is not essential that you study maths to do physics at A2/AS, but the subjects do
complement each other and it improves your chances of good grades. If you want to take your
studies of Physics further, or if you wish to study a subject such as Engineering, you should
study Maths at A level also. By far the majority of Physics students also study Maths.