Physics

What levels are on offer?

Physics is only being offered as an A2 which is run over 2 years.

How do I decide which to choose?

A2 GCE in Physics is aimed at students who really enjoy Physics and those who possibly need it (e.g. engineering) at University. It is also aimed at students who are likely to need to use Physics in their career.

What will I study?

Year 12 (3 Units):

• speed and acceleration in sprinting and jogging
• work and power in weightlifting
• forces and equilibrium in rock climbing
• forces and projectiles in tennis
• force and energy in bungee jumping
• measuring and controlling the flow of a viscous liquid
• mechanical testing of products
• mechanical properties of bone and replacement materials
• 'designer' materials for medical uses
• synthesised and 'live' sounds
• standing waves in string and wind instruments
• reading a CD by laser
• illuminating solar cells
• operation of solar cells
• combining sources of emf
• radar imaging
• resistivity surveying
• artefact analysis by X-ray diffraction
• artefact analysis by electron microscopy.
• students will write a report of between 1500 and 2000 words on a trip to see the use of physics in the real world

Year 13 (3 Units):

• track circuits and signalling
• sensing speed
• mechanical braking
• regenerative and eddy current braking
• crash-proofing
• fibre optics and exponential attenuation
• CCD imaging
• cathode ray tube
• liquid crystal and LED displays
• alpha scattering and the nuclear model of the atom
• accelerating particles to high energies
• detecting and interpreting interactions between particles
• the quark-lepton model
• distances of stars
• masses of stars
• energy sources in stars
• star formation
• star death and the creation of chemical elements
• the history and future of the universe
• earthquake detection
• vibration and resonance in structures
• damping vibration using ductile materials
• Students will complete a written report of an experimental investigation, which they have devised and carried out

How will I be assessed?

Year 12:

Year 13:

Entry Requirements

To be accepted onto this A-Level Physics course you will need at least 2 B grades in 21st Century Science at GCSE or a GCSE B grade in 21st Century Physics.

If studying BTEC Certificate/Diploma in Applied Science a Distinction with a recommendation from your teachers and final approval from the curriculum leader for science is needed.