PHYSIC S

Physics takes in the study of the smallest building blocks of matter and extends to our understanding of the universe as a whole You will develop analytical skills that you can apply to many aspects of life: the ability to break a problem into parts to understand the whole, is a very sought-after skill This is one of the reasons why Physics is such a respected subject among employers, who will always be looking for talented problem-solvers Physics is a vital component of a successful CV for any boy looking to study subjects such as Physics, Engineering, which includes many possible varieties, and Computer Science at university

What is the course content?

We study the AQA A level Physics course, which contains eight core topics and one option topic Measurements & Errors is studied throughout the course and underpins all the practical work; Particles & Radiation, Waves, Mechanics & Materials, Electricity and Further Mechanics are all covered in the Lower Sixth Thermal Physics, Fields and Nuclear Physics are studied in the Upper Sixth In the Upper Sixth we also study the Option topic, which is determined by the teachers of the set, and is most likely to be either Astrophysics or Engineering, having previously been successful choices

How is the course assessed?

You are assessed with three 2hr exams at the end of the two-year course Each is worth approximately a third of the course and are comprised of short and long answer questions as well as multiple choice questions on two of the papers You must also complete the twelve core practicals and demonstrate that you are competent in your practical skills This is a pass or fail criteria, but it is not something that anyone is expected to fail The skills are assessed on Paper 3

What else should I consider?

There is no requirement that you take Mathematics at A level, but it is highly recommended Anyone not taking A level Mathematics is required to take an extra timetabled lesson every week: Mathematics for Physics Taking Mathematics, and particularly Further Mathematics, will enhance the chance of obtaining a top grade Those considering Physics or Engineering courses at elite universities are highly advised to take Further Mathematics

A seven in GCSE Physics/Double Science is needed to take Physics at A level

Pre-course material

A couple of good books that you could look at are Six Easy Pieces by Richard Feynman and What if? by Randall Munroe If you have particular subjects of interest such as Astrophysics or Quantum Computing, do get in touch and we can recommend some appropriate reading If you fancy a good movie, but also want to get thinking about Physics, check out Interstellar (2014) by Christopher Nolan or The Martian (2015) by Ridley Scott - we also highly recommend the source novel by Andy Weir Any of the videos on the YouTube channel Veritasium are well worth a look