A LEVEL PHYSICS
Physics is the science of everything. It spans the very large (like stars and galaxies) to the very small (like atoms and things which make them up), and everything in between. It is the starting point for engineering and the discoveries made by physicists allow biologists and chemists to do their work.
What will I learn?
Year 1: You will study the ideas behind why things move the way they do and the way that materials behave when forces act on them. You will study ideas relating to electricity, waves and quantum physics. You will carry out practical work to test theories and study the results of experiments to explain the behaviour of waves.
Year 2: You will be able to show how gravitational fields change as you move further away from planets and will study how gravity determines the changes in the universe and be able to explain the origins and fate of the universe. The world of medicine is used to show how the application of physics principles is integral to medical scanners. You will know how Einstein’s theory can be used to predict the output of energy from fusion and fission reactions.
How is it assessed?
A-level Physics is assessed entirely by written exam at the end of the two-year course. You will sit three 2-hour exam papers, two of which focus on specific subjects while the third and final paper explores practical physics alongside a choice of questions across different elective options in the Physics specification. Your practical skills will also be assessed in class throughout the 2 years to develop the skills to achieve the A-level Physics practical endorsement which sits alongside your final A-level grade.
Next steps
A qualification in Physics opens doors to a wide range of careers. Physics is involved in our everyday lives and there is a vast range of jobs and careers open to those who have studied physics at any level; great career opportunities exist both inside and outside the lab. A qualification in Physics is essential for many branches of engineering and recommended for higher education courses in Science, Engineering, Electronics, Veterinary Science and Medicine. Physicists will also continue to discover new things about our world and the wider universe, you could; be the next person to discover something amazing!