KS5 - Physics

A Level (AQA)

Physics is the study of the world and indeed the Universe around us.

The A level course links topics together to give a foundation of knowledge that leads on to an appreciation of the Physics involved in engineering and many application in the wider world.

Over the two year course, students cover 5 main topics and one optional topic (currently we study Astrophysics as the Option):

Particles and quantum phenomena
Electricity
Waves
Mechanics
Circular motion and simple harmonic motion
Fields
Nuclear Physics
Kinetic theory

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

Students will be assessed throughout the course, via half termly assessments, as well as the formal calendared mock examinations for the whole sixth form.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT

At the end of the course there will be three examinations, each of 2 hours in duration. Paper 1 – content from topics 1-5 Paper 2 – synoptic (whole syllabus) Paper 3 – practical techniques and Optional topic

PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT

There is no longer any controlled assessment in the A level sciences, however there are 12 practical tasks that all students must undertake as part of the course, and student competency in these areas is reported alongside their A level grade simply as a pass or fail.

a level physics detailed course breakdown.pdf