Physics is the study of the way that events in the natural world and our universe can be modelled mathematically. It has provided us with electricity, silicon chips, and mobile phones and every other technical gadget you can think of. On the course you will develop a logical thought process, learn to analyse these ideas, improve your ability to apply concepts to unfamiliar situations and enhance your problem solving skills. It is a very rewarding and demanding subject that does require good mathematical understanding, though the majority of mathematical techniques will have been met at GCSE, and only a small number of new skills will need to be learnt.
At Bishop Challoner Sixth Form College we have excellent laboratory facilities that will allow your experiments to ‘come alive’ and further develop your understanding of essential concepts.
What will I learn?
1. Measurements and their errors
2. Particles and Radiation
3. Waves
4. Mechanics and Materials
5. Electricity
6. Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics
7. Fields and their consequences
8. Nuclear Physics
9. Turning points in Physics
At Bishop Challoner Sixth Form College we follow the AQA Specification A.
How will I be assessed?
AS Level
Written Exam: 1 hour 30 minutes.
70 marks of short and long answer question split by topic.
50% of AS.
Paper 2 (Sections 1 - 5)
Written Exam: 1 hour 30 minutes.
Section A: 20 marks of short and long answer questions on practical skills and data analysis.
Section B: 20 marks of short and long answer questions from across all areas of AS content.
Section C: 30 multiple choice questions.
50% of AS.
A Level
Paper 1 (Sections 1 - 5 and 6.1 (Periodic Motion))
Written Exam: 2 Hours.
60 marks of short and long answer questions and 25 marks of multiple choice questions on content.
34% of A Level.
Paper 2 (Assumed knowledge from sections 1 - 6.1 and Sections 6.2 (Thermal Physics), 7 and 8)
Written Exam: 2 Hours.
60 marks of short and long answer questions and 25 marks of multiple choice questions on content.
34% of A Level.
Paper 3
Section A: Practical skills and data analysis.
Section B: Section 9 - Turning points in Physics.
Written Exam: 2 Hours.
45 marks of short and long answer questions on practical experiments and data analysis.
35 marks of short and long answer questions on section 9.
32% of A Level.
Where might this course take me?
Physics provides a foundation for studying a wide variety of fields such as engineering, astrophysics and electronics. It is also relevant to professions such as medicine, dentistry and architecture. It is held in high regard by universities and complements studies in chemistry, biology and mathematics. It is also useful for the entry requirements of the armed forces and training as a pilot. The skills it develops are very transferable and will serve you well whatever career you choose to undertake.