Portslade Community College Sixth Form
A-Level Physics

A-LEVEL PHYSICS

Studying Physics will develop your knowledge and understanding of the physical world in which we live, why and how things happen. You will also learn about how physicists approach problem solving. A huge advantage of studying A Level Physics is the development of higher level thinking skills that will be useful later life whether you decide to leave education and get a job or go into higher education. Minimum requirements for taking this course are GCSE Double Award Science grade CC, Mathematics grade C and two other GCSEs grade C or above and a thirst for understanding the world we live in.

AS Year 1
Unit 1: Mechanics. Students will study Motion, Forces in Action and Work and Energy. This is examined by a 1 hour written examination.

Unit 2: Electrons, Waves and Photons. Students learn about Electric Current, Resistance, DC Circuits, Waves and Quantum Physics. This is examined by a 1 ¾ hour written examination.

Unit 3: Practical skills in Physics. Students learn about experimental skills such as planning investigations, precise measurements, data manipulation and interpretation and evaluation. This is examined by a controlled assessment within class.

A2 Year 2
Unit 1: Newtonian World. Students develop year 1 work through the study of Newton's Laws and Momentum and then go on to study Circular Motion and Oscillations and Thermal Physics. This is examined by a 1 hour written examination.

Unit 2: Fields, Particles and Frontiers of Physics. Students learn about Electric and Magnetic Fields, Capacitors and Exponential Decay, Nuclear Physics, Medical Imaging and Modelling the Universe.  This is examined by a 1 ¾ hour written examination.

Unit 3: Practical skills in Physics 2. Students further develop their experimental skills of planning investigations, making precise measurements, data manipulation and interpretation and evaluation. This is examined by a controlled assessment within class.

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