Physics

Exam Board: OCR

Head of Department: Mr P J Cragg

What is Physics all about?

Physics is fascinating, stimulating and mind-blowing...it's about how literally everything in the natural world works; it's the ultimate problemsolving science. From the Big Bang to the Far Future - to what's inside the atom, from quarks to strings to... who knows?

Physics is literally rocket science: huge telescopes; black holes; aiming to tie up the loose ends between Einstein and quantum physics; it throws up some startling concepts, including the theory that there may actually be eleven dimensions (we just can't see most of them).

Physics is the fundamental science, looking at the building blocks of matter below atomic level and their weird quantum behaviour. There's plenty of overlap with the other sciences, especially biology, chemistry and medicine, as illustrated by nanotechnology (or miniaturisation).

Physics is central to computer technology, too. We assume the worldwide web is the work of computer scientists, but in fact, it was invented by a physicist!

During A level, we won't have time to study all of this, but it will give you an insider's view of the workings of the universe.

Am I suited to this course?

Physics is an academic subject and as such you need to have at least a B at GCSE, although it doesn't matter if you have studied to P2 or P3 level. You should also have good ability in Mathematics. Students with lower grades may be accepted, although they may find the course challenging.

What will A level Physics give me?

Physics is the basic science of technology and engineering - it drives our modern society - and it is also the most fundamental of the sciences. It also gives you

A logical, analytical and numerate mind
The ability to solve problems
Communication skills
Computing and practical skills
Teamwork and flexibility (essential for lab work)

Because of this wide range of skills gained during study, physicists are highly employable and are employed in engineering, medicine, IT, finance (20% of City fund managers are Physics graduates), production management, consultancy, architecture and many other areas. If you are considering a career in any technically related area, then Physics is for you. Even if your interest is purely about how or why nature is the way it is, then you should study Physics.

What will I study?

The A level builds on what you have learnt at GCSE, with a few completely new topics as well. The course has three modules in each year:

AS

Unit 1 (15%) is all about mechanics - the study of motion and forces.
Unit 2 (25%) contains material on electricity, waves and quantum physics (a topic looking at unexpected symmetries of matter and light)
Unit 3 (10%) is a practical module, with no exam, but a series of three tasks based on experiments done in the laboratory.

A2

Unit 4 (15%) contains further mechanics and thermal properties of matter.
Unit 5 (25%) looks at fields, radioactivity, the family of fundamental particles of nature, and frontiers in Physics.
Unit 6 (10%) is another practical module similar to module 3.

What will my lessons be like?

Most of the course is theoretical, so a lot of lessons will be taught in the theory lab, learning new concepts and applying them to individual problems. Teaching methods vary and use is made of IT where appropriate. This will give you an excellent grounding in the principles of Physics. The rest of the lessons will be in a separate practical lab, where you will do lots of experiments with our sixth form apparatus, including using data-loggers and laptops for collecting and manipulating data. Homework will commonly be applying new knowledge, researching new topics or writing up experiments.