Physics A Level

The A level course in Physics offered at Chapeltown Academy covers two years. It is taught in modern dedicated science laboratories and offers a broad introduction and insight into the foundations of Physics, building on GCSE Science.

Physics involves the study of a wide range of exciting topics ranging from the very small – fundamental particles – to the very large – the universe. Revolutionary advances are taking place in Physics, for example at the Large Hadron Collider in CERN, which are transforming both our understanding of the universe and our technology. We consider some of these exciting advances during the course.

Physics is a practical subject and experimental work helps to develop important practical skills as well as enhancing understanding of physical concepts. We offer the Edexcel A Level Physics course, with its emphasis on building conceptual understanding thorough practical work. We offer sixteen required practicals together with numerous other experiments. These include analysing conservation of momentum in 2-d via video analysis, measuring the wavelength of light using lasers, constructing a temperature sensing circuit, measuring the mass of objects using moments and resonance.

During the first year, we study:

· Mechanics – the study of forces, energy and motion

· DC Electricity including how circuits work and sensing devices

· Solid Materials and Fluids

· Waves which underpins both classical and modern Physics

· Particle Nature of Light looking at the revolution Physics which has led to relativity and quantum mechanics

During the second year, we build in these concepts and apply them to:

· Further Mechanics

· Electric and Magnetic Fields

· Nuclear and Particle Physics

· Thermodynamics

· Space

· Nuclear Radiation

· Gravitational Fields

· Oscillations

Why study Physics?

Physics students develop skills in problem solving, data handling which open up a wide range of well paid careers including engineering, nuclear physics, material science and medical physics. There is a national shortage of engineers and has been for a number of years. There are national shortages for most careers for which A Level Physics is a requirement.

If you don’t already have a career in mind and enjoy problem solving and working with graphs and data and you enjoy practical work and have a good level of mathematical skills, then consider Physics. All this and the secrets of the universe too!

Please click on the following link for this information.

https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/A%20Level/Physics/2015/Specification%20and%20sample%20assessments/PearsonEdexcel-Alevel-Physics-Spec.pdf

The Academy’s general entry criteria of a minimum of five 4s at GCSE applies, including English Language. A minimum of 5 in Physics GCSE (or two grade 5s if you have done double award science at GCSE) and a grade 5 in Maths, is needed to study Physics at A Level.

There are a wide number of science related careers you can enter in this field. The key areas of employment include:

aerospace and defence

clinical research

pharmaceutics and biotechnology

education

engineering

meteorology

oil and gas

renewable energy

scientific sales and marketing

telecommunications

Related careers

Examples of related careers include the following job titles:

astronomer

chemist

forensic scientist

geoscientist

environmental consultant

land surveyor

medical physicist

nuclear engineer

oceanographer

pharmacologist

research scientist

physicist

secondary school teacher

statistician

science journalist

town planner