Physics

Course summary

The A Level AQA Physics course will be examined in three, two hour written examinations. The material to be studied can be separated into the following eight sections: • Particles and Radiation which includes delving into the world of antimatter and quarks, addressing the question of whether light travels as a wave or as a stream of particles. • Waves which includes how a diffraction grating is used to analyse the spectra of light from stars. • Mechanics and Materials which includes projectile motion and exploring the physics of bungee jumps. • Electricity which includes the application of high temperature superconductors in power cables and very strong electromagnets. • Further Mechanics (Periodic motion) which includes the study of the motion of planets. • Thermal Physics which includes linking the properties of a gas to the motion of its molecules. • Fields and their consequences which includes understanding how particle accelerators such as the Large Hadron Collider in CERN work. • Nuclear Physics which includes radioactive decay, half-life and understanding how a nuclear reactor works. The optional topic of Turning Points in Physics that will be studied examines the development of modern Physics in an historical context plus an introduction to special relativity. Practical skills will be assessed in the laboratory. Aspects of measurements and errors, which includes an awareness of the nature of measurement errors and their numerical treatment, will be assessed in written examinations. Also, students’ ability to use measuring instruments such as a micrometer screw gauge, vernier calipers and an oscilloscope will be assessed. Investigative skills of collecting and processing data and then analysing and evaluating the results will be examined. Students will have encountered some of these topics at GCSE but at A Level they are covered to greater depth and from a different perspective. Students perform practical work in the laboratory on a regular basis, working either individually or in teams of two. Practical work allows students to investigate the subject for themselves and, at the same time, develop various experimental skills including the use of data-logging equipment. There is also more numerical work at A Level and so a sound mathematical background is expected. Whilst it is not necessary for Physics students to study Mathematics to A Level standard, it would undoubtedly be helpful. In addition, students should be aware that failure to study A-level mathematics might adversely affect their choice of course at university. For example, any student interested in reading Engineering at university will need an A Level in Mathematics. A variety of extracurricular opportunities are available to our students in the Sixth Form. These include residential courses such as Headstart, Smallpeice Trust and the Senior Physics Challenge in which students spend up to a week at a university attending academic lectures, meeting people from industry and carrying out project work in physics or engineering. Students are also encouraged to take part in Nuffield Science Bursary projects that run over the summer holiday and give students an insight into the world of scientific research and development. It is anticipated that, following previously highly successful trips, students will be offered the opportunity to travel to CERN in Switzerland, the home of the Large Hadron Collider, to learn about the fundamental research done at the world’s largest particle physics laboratory. Plans are also in place for an educational visit to Sellafield, Ltd in Capenhurst, a company responsible for safely decommissioning nuclear power stations, reprocessing spent fuel, nuclear waste management and fuel manufacturing.