Physics A Level
We offer a modular Physics course at AS and A2 level. Past experience has demonstrated that this type of course enables our students to attain and often exceed their potential. Physics is intended to provide a satisfying experience for all students who chose AS Physics as part of a broad and balanced post–16 curriculum. At the end of the course you will know much more about what Physics is all about and its place in the world.
Some students may wish to follow a Physics course for only one year as an AS GCE, in order to broaden their curriculum. Others will continue their course for a further year extending their course to Advance GCE.
The A2 course leads to an A Level qualification which will enable you to go on to degree level studies in Physics itself, Engineering, Mathematics, other science disciplines or to enter employment where a knowledge of physics would be useful.
Modules and Assessment
For assessment purposes, knowledge and understanding of key concepts are treated separately at AS; important links between different areas of physics are largely assessed synoptically at A2. The teaching of practical skills is integrated within the theoretical topics, but they are assessed separately in the Practical Skills module
There are no optional units offered within this specification. Modules are as follows:
AS Level
| Mandatory/Optional? | Unit title and description | Assessment method and weighting |
|---|---|---|
|
Mandatory
|
G481: Mechanics Motion Forces in action Work and energy |
1 hour written exam
AS Level - 30% A Level - 15% |
|
Mandatory
|
G482: Electrons, Waves and Photons Electric current Resistance DC Circuits Waves Quantum Physics |
1 hour 45 minutes written exam
AS Level - 50% A Level - 25% |
|
Mandatory
|
G483: Practical Skills in Physics 1 Internal assessment of practical skills |
Internal Assessment
AS Level - 20% A Level - 10% |
A2 Level
| Mandatory/Optional? | Unit title and description | Assessment method and weighting |
|---|---|---|
|
Mandatory
|
G484: Newtonian World Newton's laws of momentum Circular motion and oscillations Thermal Physics |
1 hour written exam
A Level - 15% |
|
Mandatory
|
G485: Fields, Particles and Frontiers of Physics Electric and magnetic fields Capacitors and exponential decay Nuclear Physics Medical imaging Modelling the Universe |
1 hour 45 minutes
written exam A Level - 25% |
|
Mandatory
|
G486: Practical Skills in Physics 2 Internal assessment of practical skills |
Internal Assessment
A Level - 10% |
How is this qualification assessed?
- There will be two written papers at both AS and A2 Level.
- There will be internal assessment of practical skills at both AS and A2 Level. Internal assessment of practical skills is based on completing OCR set tasks. Each task is marked by the teacher using specific, OCR mark schemes.
Entry Requirements: grade B/C or higher at GCSE Additional Science.