Physics Summary

Physics is known as the fundamental science and creates a foundation for the other natural sciences. To know Physics is to understand how the world around us works and be able to apply this knowledge to explain new, novel situations. The laws of physics govern the behaviour of the largest celestial bodies to the smallest subatomic particles. You will study the fundamental properties of matter, electromagnetic radiation, quantum phenomena, properties and applications of waves among other fascinating topics. You will also have a choice of topics to study from space physics to the theory of relativity Physics also develops many transferable skills that can be called upon in either further education or the workplace. Chief among these: planning, problem solving and evaluating. Through required practical activities, you will gain hands-on experience of the physics you study in lesson time. Practical activities will allow you the opportunity to devise and carry out investigations to test the knowledge that you gain across the course which you can then take out of the physics context and apply to a range of situations. Physics enhances our ability to analyse a situation and unpick the basic principles that are at work to make predictions and develop new, useful applications for them. Explore your potential and study Physics. 

Entry Requirements

Grade 7 or above in Trilogy Science and Maths

Course Duration

2 years full-time

Specification

AQA

How you will study

Through the course learning will take many forms from traditional lessons with supporting practical workThere will be many opportunities to work in groups but resilience in independent study will be developed in preparation for further studies.   ‘Required practical’s will be completed during the appropriate topics, and at least 15% of the marks for A-level Physics are based on these practicals. 

Component breakdown

Paper 1 – 2hr exam (35%)
Measurements and their errors, Particles and radiation, Waves, Mechanics and energy, Electricity, Thermal physics and Further Mechanics. 

Paper 2 – 2hr exam (35%)
Fields (electric, magnetic and gravitational), Capacitance Nuclear physics 

Paper 3 – 2hr exam (30%)
Practical and optional questions (choice made by the cohort) 

CPAC Practical Certification
Completed over the course duration, assessed through 12 practical wite-ups 

  • Geophysicist/field seismologist 
  • Engineer 
  • Healthcare scientist, medical physics 
  • Radiation protection practitioner 
  • Research scientist (physical sciences)  
  • Meteorologist 
  • Product/process development scientist