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AS Physics

This subject may be offered at more than one Southern Consortium school site. The teaching of this subject may be at any one of the sites listed below.

The information on this webpage is a guide only. Topics, units and course content may vary from those listed below.

AS Physics @ SRS

It is hoped that students completing a course in AS level Physics will grow in the the following ways:

• develop positive attitudes towards learning and applying Physics principles;
• develop ability and confidence in the subject;
• acquire a sound base of the knowledge, skills and attitudes required in other subjects, in employment and for further study in Physics;
• develop skills of generalisation and interpretation of results relevant to application and development in Physics;
• recognise the value of Physics in society;
• develop a rigorous approach to Physics and a precision in using those terms unique to the subject;
• develop practical skills including those of dexterity and organisation.

The Physics AS level course is divided into 3 units:

Unit 1: Particles, Radiation and Quantum Phenomena

Written Paper - 1 hour - 30% of AS level - 50 marks

Unit 2: Mechanics and Molecular Kinetic Theory

Written Paper - 1 hour - 30% of AS level - 50 marks

Unit 3: Current Electricity and Elastic Properties of Solids

Written Paper - 1 hour - 25% of AS level

Centre assessed coursework

Or Practical Examination - 1¾ hours - 15% of AS level - 30 marks

The units may be divided as follows

Unit 1:

Particles

Constituents of the atom; Evidence for existence of the nucleus, qualitative study of Rutherford scattering; Particles, antiparticles and photons; Classification of particles; Quarks and antiquarks;

Electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena

Refraction at a plane surface; The photoelectric effect Collisions of electrons with atoms; Ionisation, excitation; Energy levels, photon emission; Wave-particle duality

Unit 2:

Mechanics

Scalars and vectors; Conditions for equilibrium for two or three coplanar forces acting at a point; Turning effects; Displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration; Uniform and non-uniform acceleration, representation and interpretation by graphical methods; Independence of vertical and horizontal motion; Momentum, conservation of linear momentum; Newton's laws of motion; Work, energy, power; Conservation of energy; Calculations involving change of energy.

Molecular kinetic theory model

The equation of state for an ideal gas; The molar gas constant, The Avogadro constant; Pressure of an ideal gas; Internal energy, Relation between temperature and molecular kinetic energy; The Boltzmann constant

Unit 3:

Current electricity

Charge, current, potential difference; Resistance; Current/voltage characteristics; Ohms law; Resistivity; Series and parallel resistor circuits; Energy and power in d.c. circuits; Kirchhoffs laws; Potential divider; Electromotive force, Internal resistance; Alternating currents; Oscilloscope.

Elastic properties of solids

Bulk properties of solids; The Young modulus;

 

AS Physics @ JRCS

Outline of the course

Physics is perhaps the most basic of the sciences as its discoveries and principles have profound implications for all the other sciences, and hence it has a major effect on our lives.

Physics is crucial to understanding the world around us, the world inside us, and the world beyond us. It is the most basic and fundamental science. Physics challenges our imaginations with concepts like relativity and string theory, and it leads to great discoveries, like computers and lasers, that change our lives.

Physics encompasses the study of the universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particles. Moreover, it’s the basis of many other sciences, including chemistry, oceanography, seismology, and astronomy.

Salters Horners Advanced Physics is a context-led course placing students' learning in the environment and in situations in which physics is met in real life. The course aims to sustain and develop the enjoyment of, and interest in, physics and its application. Students will develop essential knowledge and understanding in physics and, where appropriate, the applications of physics together with an appreciation of their significance and the skills needed for the use of these in new and changing situations.

An industrial visit gives students the opportunity to look for science in action.

Skills you will develop include:

• Students learn the wider experimental and investigative skills needed by modern physicists.
• The ability to make judgements about the quality of scientific evidence
• Students will develop an understanding of a wide range of applications of physics

 Assessment

You will be assessed on your knowledge and understanding of the topics developed in the course, on your ability to analyse and understand scientific data, and on the quality of your written communication.

Unit 1 Physics on the Go is a unit with a 1 hour 20 min exam (80 marks)

Unit 2 Physics at Work is a unit with a 1 hour 20 min exam (80 marks)

Unit 3 Exploring Physics Coursework (40 marks)

Unit 4 Physics on the Move 1 hour 35min exam A2 Only (80 marks)

Unit 5 Physics from Creation to Collapse 1 hour 23 min exam A2 Only (80 marks)

Unit 6 Experimental Physics- Coursework- A2 Only (40 marks)

AS level	Name	Details
Unit 1	Physics on the Go	The study of mechanics and materials Rectilinear motion, forces, energy & power Flow of Liquids, viscosity, Properties of materials, Young’s modulus
Unit 2	Physics at Work	Study of waves (refraction, polarisation, diffraction and standing waves) Electricity (current and resistance, Ohm’s law and non-ohmic materials, potential dividers, emf and internal resistance of cells) Wave/particle nature of light
Unit 3	Exploring Physics	Assessment based on a physics-based visit or a case study of an application of physics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A2 level	Name	Details
Unit 4	Physics on the Move	Further mechanics (momentum and circular motion) Electric and magnetic fields Particle physics
Unit 5	Physics from Creation to Collapse	The study of thermal energy, nuclear decay, oscillations, astrophysics and cosmology. Space technology Medical physics History and future of the universe
Unit 6	Experimental Physics	A physics practical experiment  with written report

Careers and further study

You will find that physics qualifications offer many career choices ranging from being a Prime Minister to a scuba diver! Physics specialists are highly sought after and can attract very high wages. Students could go on to study a wide range of related degree courses such as Medicine, Physics, Engineering, Astronautics, Astronomy, Quantum Physics, Astrophysics, Optics, Etc.

 

AS Physics @ EB

Physics can be defined as the study of the structure and behaviour of matter and energy. 'A' level Physics provides a useful background for those students wishing to study a technological, engineering or scientific subject at a higher level.

The 'A' Level Physics course provides a good grounding for many of the jobs in a modern technological based society. Career opportunities are broad, stretching into many areas such as commerce, environment, industry, medicine and research.

The important pre-requisite is that you should be interested in the subject and be committed.

What kind of student is this qualification suitable for?

‘A’ Level Physics is suitable for students who:

• Have an interest in, and enjoy physics
• Want to find out about how things in the physical world work
• Enjoy applying their mind to solving problems
• Enjoy carrying out investigations by the application of imaginative, logical thinking
• Want to use physics to support other qualifications or progress onto further studies or employment.

A/S Physics is also suitable for students who:

• Want to go onto the full ‘A’ Level
• Want a grounding in a relevant worthwhile qualification of recognised value
• Want to broaden their educational experience before making a decision about which ‘A’ Levels to take
• Are taking ‘A’ Levels in the other Sciences and/or Mathematics or other relevant courses such as Design and Technology and want to take another course that will support their studies.

What examinations will I have to take to get my qualification?

The A/S is a qualification in its own right. You study three units in the A/S. The full ‘A’ Level is made up from the A/S Level and three more units.

 

What could I go on to do at the end of my course?

• Physics leads on to a wide range of courses and careers. You could go on to use Physics to support other qualifications or progress onto further studies or employment. This could be:
• From a Higher National programme (HNC & HND) to Degree Level
• Courses ranging from Physics, the Sciences, Medicine to Engineering
• Chemical Engineering and related programmes
• Employment in the area of radiography and biotechnology as possible examples

In fact Physics is recognised as an entry qualification for a wide range of Higher Education courses.

We follow the Edexcel Examination Physics.

The course content consists of the following units:-

 

AS Physics @ DP

Despite some images of Physicists, a study of Physics can be the gateway to a variety of careers including Engineering, Archaeology, Radiography

If you enjoyed your study of topics such as Radioactivity, Electricity, Motion then this may be the course for you.

What does the course involve?

There are 3 components studied as follows:-

Unit 1 – Physics on the go (40%)

This involves further study of Mechanics (rectilinear motion, forces, energy and power) and materials (flow of liquids, viscosity Stokes’ Law, properties of materials, Young’s modulus and elastic strain energy).

Unit 2 Physics at work (40%)

This involves study of waves (refraction, polarisation, diffraction, and stationary waves), electricity (current and resistance, Ohm’s Law and non-ohmic materials, potential dividers, emf and internal resistance of cells, and negative temperature coefficient thermistors) and the wave/particle nature of light.

Unit 3 Exploring Physics (20%)

This unit involves an experiment based on a physics-based visit or a case study of an application of physics.

Progression Opportunities

You will be able to move onto A2 if you succeed in passing AS and this can lead to a variety of careers in Medicine, Engineering and related disciplines as well as the opportunity for study at degree level at University