Examination Board: OCR A

Year 1 Specification

A Level Specification

Why study Physics?

Physics is the most fundamental of the sciences. It forms the basis of our understanding of the Universe and provides an excellent general knowledge base for understanding the physical world. It gives you a real edge in the modern world that is increasingly dependent on scientific advances. It provides skills for life in problem solving, practical skills, synthesising information and linking ideas.

Course Content

Year 1: A mixture of taking familiar topics further and encountering some that are totally new, including Quantum Physics and photons.

• Assessment: Internal
• Practical Work: Carried out and assessed in lessons.

A Level: You will study all of the material for the year 1 course as well as more advanced topics such as electric, magnetic and gravitational fields, simple harmonic motion, astrophysics, particle physics and medical physics.

• Assessment: 
  • 2 x 2h 15min papers (Modelling Physics and Exploring Physics)
  • 1 x 1h 30min paper (Unified Physics)
• Practical Work: Carried out and assessed in lessons. Marked on a Pass/Fail basis  

Examination Board: Edexcel

IGCSE Specification

In the fifth form, students choose to study either Dual Award Science or Separate Science.

Both qualifications cover the same core material, but Separate Science Physicists will also cover extra material on Electrostatics, Magnetism, Transformers and Pressure Laws. Separate Scientists take both Papers 1 and 2 and will cover all content. Dual award scientists only take Paper 1, so do not cover the material in bold on the Syllabus Specification. 

Topics include:

• Forces and Motion
• Electricity
• Electromagnetism
• Waves
• Energy Resources and Energy Transfer
• Solids, Liquids and Gases
• Radioactivity and Particles
• Astrophysics

In Middle School, Physics lessons, students develop their practical skills, start to gain confidence with Physical formulae and units, and gain a fundamental grasp of the concepts of Physics, all of which provide a necessary foundation for the IGCSE course.

Physics at A-level is a very robust and diverse subject and, as a result, you can study a huge range of degrees at University. Common degree areas that our A level Physicists pursue include Architecture, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Biophysics, Chemical Physics, Computer Science, Cybernetics, Education, Ergonomics, Geophysics, Materials Science and Technology, Medical Physics, Meteorology, Nanotechnology, Naval Architecture, Oceanography, Optometry, Photonics, Planetary Science, Quantum Informatics, Radiography, Renewable Energy. Also many fields of engineering including, Aeronautical, Automotive, Biomedical, Civil, Communications, Electrical/Electronic, Mechanical, Telecommunications, and broad-based Engineering Science.

A Physics-related degree will make you a very attractive candidate for jobs that require analytical skills such as management consultancy and jobs in the financial sector.

Website links:

• Isaac Physics
• A Level Physics Online
• Physics & Maths tutor
• Grade Gorilla
• Seneca

1. Bad Science, Ben Goldacre, Covers media misrepresentations of science, with a particular focus on medicine.
2. Schrödinger's Kittens and the Search for Reality, John Gribbin, attempts to explains the mysteries of modern quantum mechanics in a popular-scientific way.
3. Big Bang: The Most Important Scientific Discovery of All Time and Why You Need to Know About it, Simon Singh
4. The God delusion, Richard Dawkins.
5. Unweaving the rainbow, Richard Dawkins
6. The language instinct, Steven Pinker, argues that humans are born with an innate capacity for language.
7. Surely You're Joking, Mr.Feynman!: Adventures of a Curious Character, Ralph Leighton, Richard P. Feynman, edited collection of reminiscences by the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman.
8. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
9. A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
10. The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind: with only a primary education, old physics text books and access to a junk yard William Kamkwamba sets about building his own wind-turbine. This book describes the struggles doing this whilst living in famine torn Malawi. Inspirational!