Physics: A-level
Qualification: A-level
Exam Board: AQA
Entry Requirements: Grade 6 or above in GCSE Maths and Grade 6 or above in GCSE Physics or Grade 6-6 or above in GCSE Combined Science.
Watch our video about Physics A-level
Hands-on lessons taught by subject specialists
Physics is the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. It seeks to describe and predict the way the Universe operates, at all scales, by identifying and applying the fundamental laws and principles which govern how it operates. Though it deals with the fundamentals of existence its scope is broad from interpreting the night sky, to revealing the structure of a virus from the giant infrastructure projects of modern cities to a trip for an MRI scan at the local hospital. If it isn’t Physics it doesn’t exist!
Our teaching staff are specialists in physics, aiming to inspire all students to enjoy the subject and achieve their best, regardless of ability. High quality marking and feedback support students’ progress.
We have excellent practical resources and technical support, allowing teachers to incorporate practical work into lessons whenever possible–well beyond the ‘required practicals’ of the curriculum.
The course
- Measurements and their errors: underpinning the whole course, the fundamentals of practical measurements and their limitations.
- Fundamental particles, radiation and quantum phenomena: including sub-atomic particles and wave-particle duality.
- Wave phenomena: the behaviour of energy transfer as a wave including superposition.
- Mechanics and materials: an extension of GCSE work on linear motion, Newton’s Laws and the properties of materials under the influence of forces.
- Electricity: building upon GCSE work on the behaviour of electrical circuits.
- Further mechanics and thermal physics: circular and simple harmonic motion; heat transfer, gas laws and the kinetic theory of gases.
- Fields and their consequences: gravitational, electric and magnetic fields and their applications.
- Nuclear physics: building on the earlier particles topic; the nature of unstable nuclei including nuclear radiation and the relationship between mass and energy.
- Medical physics.
Beyond the classroom
Past activities have included:
- Trip to the CERN laboratory in Geneva.
- Science Week–wide range of speakers, competitions and events
- Royal Society science writing book judging panel
- Sixth Form Journal Club
- STEM Challenge events
- Visit to the 'Big-Bang’ Fair
- ‘Student of the half term’–rewards system to recognise and celebrate achievements and progress of all students
- High quality textbooks loaned to students to help with independent work
Progression
After studying A-level Physics, students can progress to study a broad range of science-related courses at universities including physics, maths, engineering, natural science, medicine and computing. Students can also progress onto non-science related courses such as law where their achievements in physics have served to develop key skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking. It also provides excellent opportunities to progress to higher level apprenticeships and full time employment.
