as_physics

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.

Unit	Method of assessment		Time	AS	A
1	Motion and Radioactivity	AS	1 hr 20 min	30%	15%
2	Electricity and Thermal Physics	AS	1 hr 20 min	30%	15%
3	Astrophysics	AS	1 hr 30 min 45 min	20% 20%	10% 10%
4	Waves and Our Universe	A	1 hr 20 min		15%
5	Practical Test and Fields and Forces	A	1 hr 30 min 1 hour		7.5% 7.5%
6	Synoptic Test (terminal unit)	A	2 hours		20%

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:-

Unit 1: Mechanics and radioactivity
This unit leads on from GCSE and covers rectilinear motion, forces and moments, Newton's first and third laws, dynamics, momentum, Newton's second law, mechanical energy, radioactive decay and the nuclear atom.
Unit 2: Electricity and thermal physics				AS and A
This unit includes electric current and potential difference, electrical circuits, heating matter, specific heat capacity, specific latent heat, temperature kinetic model of matter, conservation of energy, the first law of thermodynamics and efficiency.
Unit 3: Topics & practical			AS and A
3A - Astrophysics Observing stars; the lives of stars J - Practical Experimental techniques designed to highly physics concepts.
Unit 4: Waves and our universe				A only
This unit includes circular motion and oscillations, simple harmonic motion, waves, superposition of waves, quantum phenomena and the expanding Universe.
Unit 5: Fields and forces		A only
The first part of this unit covers gravitational fields, electric fields, capacitance, magnetic fields, and electromagnetic induction.
Unit 6: Synthesis	A only
This is a synoptic unit. Synoptic assessment involves the explicit drawing together of knowledge, understanding and skill learned in different parts of the Advanced GCE course. The emphasis of synoptic assessment is on understanding and application of the principles included in the specification. Physics lessons will allow students to develop their independent learning skills through the use of resources such as Examstutor. Click below for more details. http://www.examstutor.com/physics/resources/studyroom/ Click on the link below to find out more information about careers from studying Physics. http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/page.asp?id=3728