Course Choices Video

Why study A-level Physics?

You will already have come across many of the concepts of physics: forces, energy, waves, radioactivity, electricity and magnetism. At A-level you will start to see how these ideas work together, and begin to grasp some of the universal principles that apply to everything from the smallest atoms to the largest galaxies.

This will be achieved via problem solving (on Isaac Physics and others), mathematical techniques and practical work, all of which will play a pivotal role in your understanding of the course.

What careers or further education is this course suitable for?

Studying A-level Physics offers a wide range of amazing career opportunities, including geophysicist/field seismologist, healthcare scientist, higher education lecturer, radiation protection practitioner, radiologist, research scientist (physical sciences), scientific laboratory technician, meteorologist, structural engineer, acoustic engineer, product/process development scientist and systems developer. You can also move into engineering, astrophysics, chemical physics, medical physics, nanotechnology, renewable energy and more.

Key Information Summary:

Course Details:

AQA Physics is a linear course with terminal examinations at the end of the second A-level year. There is no coursework.

Like all sciences, physics is a practical subject and practicals will be carried out throughout the course. These will give you the skills and confidence needed to investigate the way things behave and work. Practical skills will be assessed in the classroom and given a separate endorsement to the A-level grade.

Subject Content:

Core Content

1. Measurements and their errors: use of SI units and their prefixes; limitation of physical measurements; estimation of physical quantities
2. Particles and radiation: particles; electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena
3. Waves: progressive and stationary waves; refraction, diffraction and interference
4. Mechanics and Materials: force, energy and momentum; materials
5. Electricity: current electricity
6. 6.1 Further mechanics: periodic motion
   6.2 Further mechanics: thermal physics
7. Fields and their consequences: gravitational fields; electric fields; capacitance; magnetic fields
8. Nuclear physics: radioactivity

Option

9. Astrophysics

There are four other available options, that we presently DO NOT choose to study at this school:

1. Medical physics
2. Engineering physics
3. Turning points in physics
4. Electronics

Assessment details:

A-level grades are based only on marks from the three written papers.

Practical skills assessed in the classroom will be given a separate endorsement (pass/fail) to the A-level grade.