Subject: AQA Physics A-Level

Subject: AQA Physics A-Level AS level AQA 5451 / A2 Level AQA 6451

ENTRY CRITERIA The qualification builds on the knowledge, understanding and process skills inherent in GCSE. It is expected that you will have achieved 5 GCSE passes grades A* - C including a minimum of grade AA in Additional Science or grade A in Physics together with grade A in Maths (Higher Paper) and grade C in English Language. Students would normally be expected to support the study of Physics with either an A-level in SUBJECT CONTENT Maths or a second Science. Unit 1: Particles, Quantum Phenomena and Electricity 1.1 Particles and Radiation 1.2 Electromagnetic Radiation and Quantum Phenomena 1.3 Current Electricity

Unit 2: Mechanics, Materials and Waves 2.1 Mechanics 2.2 Materials 2.3 Waves

Unit 3: Investigative and Practical Skills This in an externally set, but internally administered and marked, controlled practical assessment task.

Unit 4: Fields and Further Mechanics 4.1 Further Mechanics 4.2 Gravitation 4.3 Electric Fields 4.4 Capacitance 4.5 Magnetic Fields

Unit 5: Nuclear Physics, Thermal Physics and Optional Topics 5.1 Radioactivity 5.2 Nuclear Energy 5.3 Thermal Physics 5.4 Option A – Astrophysics (Lenses and Telescopes, Classification of stars, Cosmology)

Unit 6: Investigative and Practical Skills This is the second externally set, but internally administered and marked, controlled practical assessment task.

EXPECTATIONS Students are expected to undertake a minimum of 6 hours homework per week. In addition to set homework, which may take a variety of forms, students are expected to supplement class notes using a range of Physics texts. It is also expected that students will enhance their understanding of Physics by independent reading. Homework is marked in accordance with departmental policy. Throughout the course, students are expected to keep a log per module of all homework set, together with grades awarded. Test results are also recorded here. Extended investigations and projects are included in each module.

READING LIST Year 12 (Textbook provided by Physics Department) Breithaupt J

AQA Physics A (AS)

978-0-7487-8282-6 Nelson Thornes

Recommended reference textbooks (Y12 and Y13) rd

Dobson K, Grace D and Lovett D

Physics (3 Edition)

978-0-00-726749-1 Collins

Breithaupt J

Understanding Physics for rd Advanced Level (3 Edition)

0-7487-1579-7

Adams, S and Allday J

Advanced Physics

0-1991-4680-2

Fullick P

Heinemann Advanced 0-4355-7097-8 Heinemann nd Science: Physics 2 Edition Institute of Physics book review: 4/5 Very Good (about

Stanley Thornes

Oxford University Press Institute of Physics book review: 5/5 Excellent (about £25)

£24.99) Duncan T

Advanced Physics

0-71955199-4

Gibbs K

Advanced Physics

0-521-39985-8

Hutchings R

Bath Advanced Science: Physics (2nd edition)

0-17-438-7318

John Murray (IOP 3/5) Cambridge University Press Nelson (IOP 3/5)

NOTE: There are inspection copies of most of these books in the Physics preparation room. General/Popular Science Books (of possible interest) Physics is a most exciting subject but when you’re studying it for an exam you may not always find it so, because of work pressures. Nevertheless, try to extend your understanding by watching relevant TV programmes and reading New Scientist each week. There are lots of books that will show the exciting nature of physics; here are just some. “In search of Schrodinger’s Cat” (Quantum Physics and Reality), John Gribbin, 1984, Corgi “Genius – Richard Feynman and Modern Physics”, James Gleick, 1992, Little, Brown & Co “A Short History of Nearly Everything”, Bill Bryson, 2004, Black Swan “The Cartoon Guide to Physics (Paperback)” by Larry Gonick, 1991, HarperCollins “A Tour of the Subatomic Zoo: A Guide to Particle Physics” Cindy Schwarz, 1997, AIOP

ASSESSMENT Unit 1: Particles, Quantum Phenomena and Electricity and Unit 2 Mechanics, Materials and Waves A written examination (70 marks) of 1¼ hours, consisting of 6 or 7 structured questions. Unit 4: Fields and Further Mechanics A written examination (75 marks) of 1¾ hours, consisting of two sections; • Section A has 25 multiple choice questions, each worth one mark. • Section B is a written paper of 4 or 5 structured questions and consists of 50 marks. Unit 5: Nuclear Physics, Thermal Physics and Optional Topics A written examination (75 marks) of 1¾ hours, consisting of two sections; • Section A has 4 or 5 compulsory structured questions on Nuclear and Thermal Physics. • Section B has 4 or 5 structured questions on the option topic (Astrophysics).

Unit 3 and Unit 6: Investigative and Practical Skills Centre Assessed Unit – Unit 3 is 20% of the total AS marks; 10% of the total A-level marks. Unit 6 is 10% of the total A-level marks. Together Unit 3 and 6 comprise 20% of the total A-level marks. Practical Skills Assignment (PSA) 9 marks – Students are assessed on their ability to carry out practical work throughout the course. Investigative Skills Assignment (ISA) 41 marks – Students submit one ISA which has three stages: • undertaking practical work and collecting relevant data • processing data • completing a written test

FOCUSED WEBSITES http://www.physlink.com/Index.cfm http://tap.iop.org/

(Resources from the Advancing Physics KS5 Course)

http://physicsworld.com/

(The monthly magazine from the Institute of Physics)

http://public.web.cern.ch/public/Welcome.html http://www.sixtysymbols.com/ http://www.nasa.gov/

(CERN’s Website)

(Interesting selection of Physics related Videos) (NASA’s website)

http://science.howstuffworks.com/physical-science-channel.htm http://phet.colorado.edu/ http://www.physics.org/

(Link to Physics section of How Stuff Works)

(Useful collection of interactive simulations) (physics search engine maintained by Institute of Physics)

CAREERS INFORMATION Physics is a very demanding but rewarding subject suitable for students who, • have an interest in, and enjoy Physics; • want to find out how things work in the physical world; • enjoy applying their minds to solving problems; • enjoy carrying out investigations by the application of imaginative, logical thinking; • want to use Physics to support other qualifications or to progress onto further studies or employment. Physics is the most fundamental of all the Sciences. It is concerned with the study of matter, energy and the interactions between them. It is important as a subject in its own right, but also as an essential element in all the other sciences, engineering and technology. Students who continue their study of Physics to degree level will find a wide range of careers open to them. Some of the fields that graduate Physicists enter include: Research and Development, Design and Production, Medical Physics, Astronomy, Aeronautical Engineering, Aviation, Civil Engineering, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Teaching, Geophysics, Meteorology, Computing (hardware and software), Administration and Management, Accountancy, Banking, Financial Analysis and Science Journalism.

POSSIBLE SUBJECT COMBINATIONS Physics combines very well with Mathematics and Further Mathematic, particularly if you take the Mechanics Modules. In fact you must study both Physics and Mathematics to A2 level to meet the entry criteria for most University Physics and Engineering courses. You cannot get far in Physics without Mathematics! "The miracle of the appropriateness of the language of mathematics for the formulation of the laws of physics is a wonderful gift which we neither understand nor deserve" (E.P. Wigner) However, if you do not intend to pursue a career in Physics or Engineering and just wish to pursue this subject out of interest, then any mathematics which is required on the course will be taught by your Physics teacher. AS or A2 Mathematics is recommended, but not required, to study A-level Physics and it is important to remember that Physics is a very practical subject. "Today's scientists have substituted mathematics for experiments, and they wander off through equation after equation, and eventually build a structure which has no relation to reality" (Nikola Tesla) Physics of course links very well with the other A-level sciences such as Biology, Geology and particularly Chemistry. I recommend that before you choose your A-Level subject combination you check that they suit your University entry criteria and your future career aspirations. If you have any doubts please feel free to contact Mr. Lusby (Head of Physics) in Vincent House.