Physics

Course summary

Physics helps us to understand fully the very nature of the world around us, from the smallest scale deep inside the atom to the largest conceivable distance, stretching across the entire universe. It can allow us to comprehend how the universe came to be, how it operates, and how it might one day end. Physics is a very creative subject that calls for imagination and inventiveness. Einstein developed a reputation for asking awkward questions, and this attribute helped him to become a world-changing physicist. The study of physics is about making predictions, testing them through observations and measurements and devising theories and laws to make more predictions. Physics students learn the skills of making observations and measurements, and how to use mathematical skills to make sense of experiments. Physicists also learn to communicate knowledge and understanding of the subject effectively, showing a grasp of the subject through effective written and spoken responses. The A level course contains nine main topics: particles; radiation; materials; waves; mechanics; electricity; thermal physics; fields and nuclear physics.