Physics AS Level and A Level

Physics is a practical subject and the development and acquisition of practical skills is fundamental.  The OCR Physics A course provides learners with the opportunity to develop experimental methods and techniques for analysing empirical data including the key scientific skills of planning, implementing, analysing and evaluating.  The course introduces the important conventions and ideas that permeate the fabric of physics.  The understanding of physical quantities, S.I. units, scalars and vectors helps physicists to effectively  communicate their ideas within the scienctific community.

Students will learn how to model the motion of objects using mathematics, understand the effect forces have on objects, learn  about the important connection between force and energy, appreciate how forces cause deformation and understand the importance of Newtons laws of motion.  Students are also introduced to the key ideas of quantum physics .  Electromagnetic waves (e.g. light) have a dual nature.  They exhibit both wave and particle -like behaviour.  The wave-particle dual nature is also found to be characterisitc of all particles (e.g. electrons).  Before any sophisticated work can be done on quantum physics, leaners need to appreciate  what electrons are and how they behave  in electrical circuits.  A basic understanding of wave properties is also developed.

In the final year of the course (A Level) students are shown the impact Newtonian mechanics has on physics.  The microscoptic motion of atoms can be modelled using Newton's laws and hence provide us with an understanding of macroscopic quantities such as pressure and temperature.  Newton's law of gravitation can be used to rpedict the motion of planets and distant galaxies.  And we explore the inticacies  of stars and the expansion of the Universe by analysing the electromagnetic radiation  from space.  As such, it lends itself to the consideration of how the development of the scientific model is improved based on the advances in the means of observation.  Other topics covered include capacitors, electric field, electromagnetism, nuclear physics, particle physics and medical imaging.