Courses

Physics

Faculty: Science
Level: A-level

Examination Board  / website:

AQA Physics 7408  www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/physics-7407-7408

Assessment Details: 

Linear course with 3 x 2 hour examinations in summer of year 13

Paper 1: 2 hours, 34% of A-level: Measurements and their errors, Particles and radiation, Waves, Mechanics and Materials, Electricity, Further mechanics

Paper 2: 2 hours, 34% of A-level: Thermal Physics, Fields and their consequences (Gravitational, electric and magnetic fields), Nuclear Physics

Paper 3: 2 hours, 32% of A-level: Section A: Practical skills and data analysis (45 out of 80 marks), Section B: Astrophysics (35 out of 80 marks)

Practical Examinations (Unit titles, duration, % weighting, dates): Paper 3A: Practical skills and data analysis, 18% of total A-level.

Coursework (Unit titles, duration, % weighting, submission dates): n/a

Course Outline:

Topics: Measurements and their errors, Particles and radiation (including quantum phenomena), Waves, Mechanics and Materials, Electricity, Further mechanics, Thermal Physics, Fields and their consequences (Gravitational, electric and magnetic fields), Nuclear Physics, Astrophysics.

The course builds rapidly on student’s knowledge of Physics from GCSE science, and covers all core aspects of Physics, from Newton’s theory of gravitation (discovered some 400 years ago) right up to the cutting edge (e.g. the standard model of particle physics which is explored at CERN, black holes in astrophysics).

Students complete regular practical work including but not limited to 12 core practicals covering the full range of topics listed above.

Skills / Aptitudes required to be successful in this course:

Good mathematical ability, in particular good numeracy and facility with rearranging equations. Good practical skills for scientific enquiries.

Complementary Subjects:

Maths, other sciences 

Pathways / Careers:

Sectors that value Physics at A-level or degree level: Business, Finance, IT, Engineering, Medicine, Research science.