The course is made up of seven main topics: Particle Physics, Waves, Mechanics, Electricity, Thermal Physics, Nuclear Physics and Fields. Through these topics you will learn about the strange quantum world and how light can behave as both a particle and a wave (and also how particles like electrons can behave like waves too!), how gravitational and electric fields keep satellites and electrons in orbits, why radioactive atoms decay and what the famous equation E=mc2 actually means. You will learn how to analyse the two-dimensional motion of objects like projectiles and take this further to evaluate the motion of objects like fairground rides and planets. In year 13 an optional topic will be studied, which is chosen by students from the choices of: Astrophysics, Medical Physics, Turning Points and Relativity, Engineering or Electronics. Throughout the course you will complete a wide array of practical and theory work and will also develop the skills to complete your Practical Endorsement—a centre-assessed component of the course which shows you have developed the necessary skills to work at a high level in a laboratory. The course is then assessed through three written examinations, set and marked by AQA.
Students will need and develop a range of transferable skills including the ability to think analytically, to solve problems both practically and mathematically and the ability to construct logical and reasoned arguments. Further skills of independent learning are critical to the course and will developed throughout.
Pupils are given the opportunity to visit the Daresbury Laboratories for a nuclear physics masterclass, and to enter the BPhO experimental project and AS challenges, with previous participants receiving certificates for their work.
“It’s the study of how and why things happen, which I find really interesting. Each lesson brings a new challenge to tackle and it links really well with Maths so it’s going to give me a good start on my engineering course.”
Physics is a highly-valued A Level qualification and a facilitating subject for university entry. The skills and knowledge you gain would set you up well for further study and careers in engineering, medicine, scientific research, the energy industry (including oil/gas and renewables) and the space industry. The transferrable skills also make physics students highly sought after in areas such as finance, computing, education, telecommunications and the armed forces and defence.
