A Level Physics - 2015 (AQA)

How is the Course Structured?

The AQA A Level Physics specification is structured into thirteen topics, assessed across three examinations. Some of the content is compulsory, and some is optional. If content is listed as optional it means that students will have a choice of questions relating to these topics when they sit their exam. Your tutor may advise that you focus on a particular one of these topics when studying:

Compulsory Content:

• Topic 1: Measurements and their errors
• Topic 2: Particles and radiation
• Topic 3: Waves
• Topic 4: Mechanics and materials
• Topic 5: Electricity
• Topic 6: Further mechanics and thermal physics
• Topic 7: Fields and their consequences
• Topic 8: Nuclear physics

Optional Content

• Topic 9: Astrophysics
• Topic 10: Medical physics
• Topic 11: Engineering physics
• Topic 12: Turing points in physics
• Topic 13: Electronics

Course Assessments

In order to attain this qualification you must sit three examinations and twelve practical assessments. The practicals are not marked, but you will need to be observed by an examination centre to demonstrate competence in the different techniques. The practicals are usually held in Spring of each year, while the written exams are in May/June. Booking exams is the responsibility of the student. Any and all exam fees will be paid by the student directly to their chosen exam centre. Finding an exam centre that will allow private candidates to sit practical exams can be difficult, and students should be prepared to travel. On purchasing the course, the student will be provide with a list of recommended exam centres.

Paper 1

Assessment details:

- 34% of A-Level
- 85 marks
- Written exam: 2 hours

What is assessed?:
Content from topics 1-5 and 6.1

Questions:
60 marks = A mixture of short and long answer questions
25 marks = Multiple choice questions

Paper 2

Assessment details:

- 34% of A-Level
- 85 marks
- Written exam: 2 hours

What is assessed?:
Content from topics 6.2, 7 and 8
Content from topics 1 to 6.1

Questions:
60 marks = A mixture of short and long answer questions
25 marks = Multiple choice questions

Paper 3

Assessment details:

- 32% of A-Level
- 80 marks
- Written exam: 2 hours

What is assessed?:
Section A: Practical skills and data analysis
Section B: Students enter for one of topics 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13

Questions:
45 marks = A mixture of short and long answer questions on practical experiments and data analysis
35 marks = A mixture of long and short answer questions on chosen optional topic

Practical Assessment

Your A Level grade will be based on your written examinations. However, in order to recieve your A Level you must also undergo a seperate endorsement of 12 practical skills. These are listed below:

1. Investigation into the variation of the frequency of stationary waves on a string with length, tension and mass per unit length of the string.
2. Investigation of interference effects to include the Young’s slit experiment and interference by a diffraction grating.
3. Determination of by a free-fall method
4. Determination of the Young modulus by a simple method.
5. Determination of resistivity of a wire using a micrometer, ammeter and voltmeter.
6. Investigation of the emf and internal resistance of electric cells and batteries by measuring the variation of the terminal pd of the cell with current in it.
7. Investigation into simple harmonic motion using a mass-spring system and a simple pendulum.
8. Investigation of Boyle’s (constant temperature) law and Charles’s (constant pressure) law for a gas.
9. Investigation of the charge and discharge of capacitors. Analysis techniques should include log-linear plotting leading to a determination of the time constant
10. Investigate how the force on a wire varies with flux density, current and length of wire using a top pan balance.
11. Investigate, using a search coil and oscilloscope, the effect on magnetic flux linkage of varying the angle between a search coil and magnetic field direction.
12. Investigation of the inverse-square law for gamma radiation.

Course Fees

The enrolment fee for the New A' Level Physics (Full AS + A2) home study course is £450, though for a limited time we are offering you the opportunity to pay only £360 which is a 20% discount if you enrol online and pay in full.

You can also opt for our Easy Payment Plan and enrol online today by paying a deposit of £90 and then 4 equal payments of £90 per month. The first instalment is paid about a month after you receive your course.