Physics

Course summary

Physics helps you to understand the fundamental laws that describe mathematically how the earth and the entire universe operate. Studying physics at this level can enable you to gain access to a wide range of degrees requiring skills in problem solving, analysing and interpreting data. You will discover how theories governing our universe are developed. In the modern world, an understanding of physics empowers you to form educated opinions about current issues such as global warming, climate change, alternative energy, nuclear power and treatment of nuclear waste. The fundamental principles of physics form the foundation of other areas of science. For example, the conservation of energy is a key principle of physics that provides the starting point in explaining a wide range of studies from atomic bonding to weather forecasting; the study of electricity is used both theoretically and practically to explain electrode potentials in chemistry and the flow of nerve impulses in medicine. The modules of the course develop ideas studied in the AQA GCSE in physics, e.g. mechanics, electricity, waves, radioactivity and introduces new topics such as particle physics, quantum phenomena and special relativity.