Advanced/Advanced Subsidiary GCE Physics

Advanced/Advanced Subsidiary GCE Physics

Entry Requirements
It is expected that you will have achieved a B in GCSE Science andAdditional Science or Physics GCSE and a grade C or above in Maths. In exceptional cases, foundation level students may be considered. A grade C or better in GCSE Applied Science would not normally be sufficient to enable a student to progress to AS courses in Physics.

About the Course
Physics is a fascinating and amazing tool; it provides explanations for almost all that is around us in our world and in world beyond. The fundamental ideas of physics - matter, force and energy - are the basis of all other sciences and most of our modern technologies.

The AQA Physics A AS physics course and the A2 physics course both contain 3 units, one of which is an assessment of practical skills.

The theory modules are:

PHYA1 Particles, Quantum Phenomena and Electricity
Through the study of the topics in PHY1A you will gain an awareness of the on-going development of new ideas in physics and of the application of in-depth knowledge of well established topics such as electricity.

PHYA2 Mechanics, Materials and Waves
This develops the more established topics introduced at GCSE Science which will be familiar to you such as forces and motion.

After studying these modules you should be able to answer questions such as 'what is a hadron, how do fluorescent lights work and why do we need a turntable in a microwave oven?'

The AQA A2 Physics A course also consists of two theory modules.

PHY4A Fields and Further Mechanics
This includes topics such as momentum, circular motion, gravitation, electric and magnetic fields.

PHY5A Nuclear Physics, Thermal Physics and an Optional Topic
This looks at the characteristics of the nucleus, how energy is obtained from the nucleus and thermal properties of materials.

The optional topic will be chosen from Astrophysics and Medical Physics. In Astrophysics fundamental physical principles are applied to the study and interpretation of the Universe. You will gain deeper insight into the behaviour of objects at great distances from Earth such as black holes and quasars and discover the ways in which information from these objects can be gathered. The Medical Physics option offers an opportunity for those of you with an interest in biological and medical topics to study some of the applications of physical principles and techniques in medicine. This includes the physics of the eye and ear and imaging techniques such as X-ray and MRI.

Physics does use basic mathematical skills which is why you are strongly advised to study AS maths in addition to AS physics. However there are maths support lessons (see section on AS Use of Mathematics) for those not studying AS maths.