AS/A Level Physics

AS/A LEVEL PHYSICS

WHAT IS PHYSICS?
Consider a physicist lying on a beach thinking.

You are spinning with the earth rotates at about 400 metres per second. Add to that the speed of the earth orbiting the sun at about 28 kilometres per second. Then consider the galaxy of some 100,000 million stars, our sun orbits around this at about 220 km per second. You are not lying still.

Every second about 50 trillion ghostly subatomic particles called neutrinos zip through your body from the sun. They barely see normal matter such as our world and in your entire lifetime it is likely that only one will `collide with an atom of you body.

Trillions of photons, vibrating packets of energy, also from the sun hit your skin but these do `see normal matter and are absorbed by electrons. Some of these initiate a damaging chemical reaction. Your skin responds by synthesising a dark brown dye to minimise damage.

The land has a lower specific heat capacity than the ocean it heats up more. This heats the air above causing it to expand and rise, millions of tonnes of air rushes in from the sea to replace it a sea breeze. The moon continually orbits overhead. Its mass warps space and time like a sheet of rubber. This pulls the continental crust up by a few millimetres. The lighter oceans rise more dramatically leading to tides as the ocean level periodically rises and falls.

Winds out in the ocean cause ripples, waves to rise on the surface. Approaching land the water depth drops causes the waves to slow. They bend to approach the land at right-angles to the waterfront hence the surfers.

Overhead seagull glide, their wings causing air to flow more rapidly over the top surface than the bottom producing a net upward force keeping them in the air. One relieves itself and the sticky blob accelerates down the curved space-time towards the earth gaining kinetic energy as it approaches your sunglasses. As it gets closer you consider studies of cratering on moons, how the mass and speed of a projectile affects the resulting `splash at it hammers into ..

Surely thats more interesting than reading the Sun.

From 2008 we will be following the innovative Advancing Physics, a highly successful A-level developed by the IOP and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. This specification has a simple, direct and rigorous approach to modern ideas.

WHY SHOULD I STUDY PHYSICS?
You may choose to take physics purely out of interest. Physics is the fundamental underpinning science and studying physics encourages a peculiarly abstract and profound appreciation of the world about you. A person cannot have a deep understanding of the material world and many topical areas such as climate change, power generation or medical imaging without an understanding of physics.

Physics is also essential to any advanced nations economic well-being. Whilst physicists themselves are highly employable, A-level Physics is also a prerequisite for entry to most engineering courses, architecture and aeronautics.

USEFUL SKILLS & INTERESTS
You should be interested in thinking about how things work at a deep level. Ideas and relationships in physics are expressed mathematically so a facility at mathematics is required.

COURSE STRUCTURE & CONTENT
Like all A-level physics aims to giver a broad introduction to higher level concepts:- we study:-

• Communication
• Designer materials
• Waves and quantum behaviour
• Space, time and motion
• Quality of measurement
• Models and rules
• Matters in extremes
• Fields
• Fundamental particles
• Processes, Experimentation and Data Handling

The College has always emphasized the importance of experimental work and our students are thoroughly trained in the skills required by universities and industry. Practical coursework assesses:

• Ability to work precisely, accurately and safely
• Ability to make and record reliable observations and readings
• Ability to analyse, interpret and explain results

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
The courses is modular and will lead to the AS qualification in Year 1 (3 modules) and then the full A level in Year 2 (after the final 3 modules). Practical Work comprises 20% of the full A Level specification and is assessed as one module both in the AS year and in the A2 year. Thus you will take 2 exams per year with the 3rd module being internally assessed coursework.

COURSE COMMITMENT
Students will be expected to work independently, outside the classroom, for about 4 hours per week. This will allow time to complete assignments set in class as well as to review current work regularly and revise for the external examinations.

COURSE COSTS
None though you will need a scientific calculator which can be purchased for less than 10 at college or any stationers.

PROGRESSION ROUTES
Whilst there is no special requirement to take physics alongside any other A-levels it is very frequently taken alongside mathematics. A-Level mathematics helps a lot! For those students not taking AS or A-Level Mathematics we do offer a maths for physicists course which has been of great assistance to those students either not taking A-level maths or who feel they have a weakness in it.

A-Level physics is essential for degree level study in most engineering disciplines as well as physics & astrophysics. However physics is widely regarded as opening possibilities in a wider range of career choices than any other subject.

Physics graduates are amongst the most employable of all science graduates and have access to an unusually wide range of career options. Physics develops highly transferable skills in numerical analysis, programming, logical thinking and system analysis. Physics graduates are extensively employed in engineering, the defence industries, financial analysis, medical research and software development to name a few.

A recently published Institute of Physics report notes than in terms of life-long earning graduates with physics or physics related degree earn more than any other graduates with the exception of those entering medicine or law.