A-LEVEL PHYSICS

Course Outline

This course is divided into 3 units:

Unit 1: Content from topics 1-5 and 6.1

Written examination: 2 hours. 34% of A-Level. 85 Marks

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

Unit 2: Content from topics 1 to 6.1, 6.2, 7 and 8

Written examination: 2 hours. 34% of A Level. 85 Marks

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

Unit 3: Section A: Practical skills and data analysis & Section B: Students enter for one of topics 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13

Written examination: 2 hours. 32% of A Level. 80 Marks

• 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

Your A-Level grade will be based on written examinations. However, to pass you must undergo an assessment of practical skills. These are:

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

Structured in thirteen topics across three exams AQA A-Level Physics contains both compulsory and optional content.

If the content is listed as optional you have a choice of questions relating to these topics when you sit your exam. Your tutor may advise on what topics you should focus on when studying.

• 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

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

The AQA A Level Physics qualification is gained once all 3 exam papers and 12 practical assessments are successfully completed. These exams are administered by the AQA and assessment centre details will be included with your course, as well as practice papers so that you are more than prepared for your 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.

In addition, there will be a number of tutor marked assessments (TMAs) to ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the course materials, with the tutor sending comments to guide you through any areas of potential difficulty, as well as a range of self-assessments that are indicators that you understand the materials as you work through them. These are for your own information, and do not need to be shown to your course tutor.