Physics

Course summary

Physics is best studied by those who enjoy both experimenting (investigating, understanding and predicting events in the material world) and theorising (precise logical reasoning and problem-solving of an abstract kind, similar to that met in mathematics). The subject demands a high level of mathematical and written communication skills. If you wish to better understand the world around you Physics is the subject for you. At the end of the course, you will be able to explain what the fundamental constituents of all matter that form everything on Earth are and why the Earth has an atmosphere and many other bodies do not. A-level Physics allows you to study a core of key concepts in greater detail, some of which have been met at GCSE level. Over the course, a minimum of 12 core practicals will be carried out to develop and test practical competency for which you will keep a lab book. The specific topics studied are: Core • Measurements and their errors • Particles and radiation • Waves • Mechanics and materials • Electricity • Further mechanics and thermal physics • Fields and their consequences • Nuclear physics Options • Astrophysics • Medical Physics • Engineering Physics • Turning points in physics • Electronics The Physics Department follows a strategy of flipped learning and this means that there is an expectation for pupils to complete a large degree of prior study (or preparation) before each lesson and a timetable is supplied for pupils to assist them in this. This allows lessons to be geared towards the higher-end content and skills that are found in the course. You will find that your lessons will be split largely between ones where you are practising, and improving, your problem-solving skills within the context of your current topic and others where you are completing practical work (including data analysis). We do not spend valuable lesson time making notes that can be found in our textbooks.