Quick Links

Quick Links

Djanogly City Academy Sixth Form

Physics

Why choose Physics?

/i/video/Physics_A_level.mp4

 

Physicists explore the fundamental nature of almost everything we know of.  They probe the furthest reaches of the earth to study the smallest pieces of matter.  Join them to enter a world deep beneath the surface of normal human experience.

Subject Content - Core

1 Measurements and their errors

  • 3.1.1 use of SI units and their prefixes
  • 3.1.2 Limitation of physical measurements
  • 3.1.3 Estimation of physical quantities

2 Particles and radiation

  • 3.2.1 Particles
  • 3.2.2 Electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena

3 Waves

  • 3.3.1 Progressive and stationary waves
  • 3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference

4 Mechanics and materials

  • 3.4.1 Force, energy and momentum
  • 3.4.2 Materials

5 Electricity

  • 3.5.1 Current electricity

6 Further mechanics and thermal physics

  • 3.6.1 Periodic motion
  • 3.6.2 Thermal physics

7 Fields and their consequences

  • 3.7.1 Fields
  • 3.7.2 Gravitational fields
  • 3.7.3 Electric fields
  • 3.7.4 Capacitance
  • 3.7.5 Magnetic fields

8 Nuclear physics

  • 3.8.1 Radioactivity
 

Subject Content - Optional

9 Astrophysics

  • 3.9.1 Telescopes
  • 3.9.2 Classification of stars
  • 3.9.3 Cosmology

10 Medical physics

  • 3.10.1 Physics of the eye
  • 3.10.2 Physics of the ear
  • 3.10.3 Biological measurement
  • 3.10.4 Non-ionising imaging
  • 3.10.5 X-ray imaging
  • 3.10.6 Radionuclide imaging and therapy

3.11 Engineering physics

  • 3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
  • 3.11.2 Thermodynamics and engines

3.12 Turning points in physics

  • 3.12.1 The discovery of the electron
  • 3.12.2 Wave-particle duality
  • 3.12.3 Special relativity

3.13 Electronics

  • 3.13.1 Discrete semiconductor devices
  • 3.13.2 Analogue and digital signals
  • 3.13.3 Analogue signal processing
  • 3.13.4 Operational amplifier in
  • 3.13.5 Digital signal processing
  • 3.13.6 Data communication systems
 

Assessments

Physics, at A Level, builds on the knowledge and practical skills gained at KS4 as scholars embark upon a journey through the AQA A-level Physics 7408 course.

In A-level Physics, scholars work towards 100% terminal examinations, comprising of three papers.  

Paper 1 (34%)

  • Sections 1 to 4 and 6.1 (Periodic motion)
  • 60 marks of short and long answer questions and 25 multiple choice questions on content

Paper 2 (34%)

  • Sections 6.2 (Thermal Physics), 7 and 8
  • Assumed knowledge from sections 1 to 6.1
  • 60 marks of short and long answer questions and 25 multiple choice questions on content.

Paper 3 (32%)

  • Section A - Compulsory section: Practical skills and data analysis
  • Section B - Students enter for one of sections, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13
  • 45 marks of short and long answer question on practical experiments and data analysis
  • 35 marks of short and long answer questions on optional topic.

Useful Links

Course Information

AQA A Level Physics 

Possible Degree Options

  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Civil Engineering
  • Economics
  • Business

Possible Career Options

  • Geophysicist/field seismologist
  • Healthcare scientist, medical physics
  • Higher education lecturer
  • Radiation protection practitioner
  • Research scientist (physical sciences)
  • Scientific laboratory technician
  • Secondary school teacher
  • Meteorologist
  • Structural engineer
  • Acoustic engineer
  • Product/process development scientist
  • Systems developer
  • Technical author