AS/A2 Physics

AS/A2 Physics
AS/A2

Physics examines the behaviour and properties of matter in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from the sub-nuclear particles from which all ordinary matter is made (quantum physics) to the behaviour of the material universe as a whole (cosmology). You will find out that electrons are waves, how to leap tall buildings in a single bound and how thick Spiderman's silk needs to be; but to do this, you will need confidence with numbers, diagrams and theoretical models.

AS Course Content
1. Mechanics

You will study ideas about motion, forces, work energy, power, moments and materials. At the end you should be able to explain why a bungee rope is made out of rubber but concrete is used for building foundations.
2. Electrons, Waves and Photons

This unit covers key ideas about electricity, waves and quantum physics. As well as being able to explain some intriguing ideas about some fascinating phenomena, after studying this module, you will also be able to create tuned musical instruments from junk.
3. Practical Skills in Physics 1

Your practical skills will be assessed using timed tasks

A2 Course Content
1. The Newtonian World

This unit covers momentum, collisions, circular motion, resonance, gases etc. You will be able to calculate the maximum speed you can drive across a humped back bridge without taking off!
2. Fields, Particles and Frontiers of Science

This covers ideas of electric and magnetic fields, radioactivity, fundamental particles, nuclear fission and fusion, medical imaging, the life and death of stars and the fate of the Universe.
3. Practical Skills in Physics 2

This is similar to the AS practical assessment but draws on more areas of the specification.

Assessment

Unit 3 at both AS and A2 is assessed internally: otherwise assessment is by examination.

Is Physics for you?

You will enjoy and benefit from Physics if you:

l want to explore how the universe works and investigate the practical applications of our current state of knowledge;

l have the ability to relate to theoretical models and to examine issues logically and systematically;

l are confident about working with numbers and diagrams. We strongly recommend that you also take AS/A level Maths (Mechanics) especially if there is any chance that you might later wish to pursue courses which use Physics, in particular any type of engineering.

l are keen to carry out independent investigative research, including using the internet.

Physics and your future

Physics can lead on to further studies in, for example, motor sport engineering, computer games technology, biomedical sciences, architecture and engineering.

Minimum entry requirements
Four Grade Cs at GCSE in appropriate subjects and higher tier Mathematics at minimum Grade B. Science and Additional Science at higher tier must be at least BB, and if you have studied the sciences separately, you will need a Grade B in at least two including Physics. Only science GCSE courses which have a high proportion of external assessment will normally be considered.
We strongly recommend that you also take AS/A level Maths (Mechanics) especially if there is any chance that you might later wish to pursue courses which use Physics, in particular any type of engineering.