Year one content
Development of Practical Skills in Physics
Practical work is embedded throughout the course. You will develop skills in planning investigations, using equipment accurately, collecting and analysing data, evaluating uncertainties and drawing valid conclusions. These skills are assessed both through the written examinations and through the Practical Endorsement.
Foundations of Physics
You will develop the core skills needed for success in A Level Physics, including physical quantities and units, measurements, uncertainties, estimation, standard form, significant figures and the use of equations. These ideas underpin every area of the course.
Forces and Motion
You will study motion, forces, energy, power, materials, momentum and Newton’s laws. This includes the physics of everyday situations such as vehicles, projectiles, safety features, bridges and aircraft. You will use mathematical models and practical investigations to explain and predict how objects move and interact.
Electrons, Waves and Photons
This unit introduces key ideas in electricity, circuits, waves and quantum physics. You will study charge and current, energy and power in circuits, resistance, electrical components, wave behaviour, superposition, diffraction, interference and the particle nature of light.
Year two content
The second year builds on the knowledge and skills developed in year one and introduces more advanced areas of physics.
Development of Practical Skills in Physics
You will continue to complete practical work throughout the second year, further developing your ability to design investigations, use equipment confidently, analyse data and evaluate experimental procedures. Successful completion of the required practical work leads to the Practical Endorsement, which is reported alongside the A Level grade.
Newtonian World and Astrophysics
You will study thermal physics, circular motion, oscillations, gravitational fields, astrophysics and cosmology. This includes the behaviour of gases, the motion of satellites and planets, simple harmonic motion, stars, the evolution of the universe and the evidence used to support modern cosmological models.
Particles and Medical Physics
You will study capacitors, electric fields, electromagnetism, nuclear and particle physics, and medical imaging. This includes the structure of atoms, subatomic particles, radioactivity, electromagnetic fields and the physics behind technologies such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT scanning, MRI and PET scanning.
