Physics

Course summary

Fundamentally physicists are problem solvers who, when presented with a challenge, use the skills they have practised to solve a huge variety of problems, from developing the latest mobile devices to solving the world’s energy crisis. The A Level Physics course will help students gain confidence with using experimental apparatus, competence in obtaining precise and accurate data, and improve their ability to discover and explore complex relationships. The A Level course will cover classical areas of Physics in depth in the first year: mechanics, waves, particles, material, electricity and magnetism. The skills developed in these areas will then be applied in a number of interesting contexts including nuclear and quantum physics and thermodynamics. Practical work is at the heart of all good science teaching, and the required practical activities will give students the opportunity to embed and further develop their skills and knowledge. Students will routinely be applying mathematics in the course and it is strongly recommended that any student starting this course should be studying a Mathematics course in parallel with the A Level Physics course.