Exam Board: Edexcel Specification 8PH01 & 9PHOI

Physics is a subject of enormous breadth. It examines the workings of the Universe with its billions of stars and ranges down to the behaviour of tiny particles inside atoms from which we and everything around us are made. Areas of study include natural philosophy and raise many questions that current research seeks to answer. There has never been a more exciting time as regards the development of new ideas in Physics.

The knowledge and methods of working gained through the study of Physics find applications in many varied fields such as:

• Scientific research – what is the nature of reality
• Engineering- the appliance of science to change our surroundings
• Computing and Electronics- producing ever increasing complexity
• Medicine, scanners, nuclear medicine, and micro- and nano- technologies
• Financial World- modelling financial systems
• Management- developing problem-solving skills
• Media storage and communication technology

Physics is increasingly extending into every area of our lives – computers, the Internet, mass media and modern transportation systems and new diagnostic and treatment facilities in medicine.

Qualification

The AS and A level courses give an excellent introduction into all aspects of Physics. We follow the Edexcel Syllabus which aims to develop the students’ interest and enthusiasm for Physics; to appreciate how society makes decisions about scientific issues and the contribution of the sciences to the economy and society; to further develop the understanding of “How Science Works”, begun in the GCSE course; to develop and understand essential knowledge of different areas of Physics and how they inter-relate.

The Syllabus consists of the following units:

AS Level – Year 1

Mechanics and Materials
Waves, Electricity and the nature of light
Exploring physics as applied in a live situation and by practical experiment.

A2 Level – Year 2

Further Mechanics, Fields and Forces, Sub-atomic Particle Physics
Thermal Energy, Nuclear Decay, Oscillations, Astrophysics and Cosmology
Experimental Physics, including the planning, execution and reporting of the student’s own work.

Experimental skills are considered very important in Physics and these are developed in a dedicated Physics Laboratory with computer links. Emphasis is given to progress in current research and we use scientific literature, videos, etc to keep up to date and to promote discussion.

Assessment

Assessment will be by examinations.

Entrance requirements

Students will normally be required to have a Grade C or above in GCSE Physics or equivalent.

For more information on this course, please go to http://www.edexcel.org.uk