Physics

Course summary

A Level of Physics gives you a closer look and a deeper understanding of the laws of the universe. “The important thing is not to stop questioning … One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvellous structure of reality.” Albert Einstein The world we live in has been completely transformed by the scientific developments of the last 200 years. These developments have been built upon the work of scientists like Isaac Newton, James Clerk Maxwell and Albert Einstein who sought to discover and describe the physical laws that govern this amazing universe we live in. In GCSE Physics, you will have been introduced to some of these people and their discoveries, but A-level Physics gives you a closer look and a deeper understanding of the laws of the universe. Students take progression exams at the end of Year 1, and subject to a suitable pass grade, can move into Year 2. • The different properties of materials; why certain materials are used to make computers, buildings and replacement body parts • The existence and behaviour of waves; how musical instruments produce their notes • The wave-particle paradox • How electricity is created; how early televisions were invented • How atoms were discovered; what you get when you smash an atom into pieces • How we have developed theories of the lives of stars and the size of the universe without ever leaving the Solar System.