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 Last Revised: 22 Oct 04
AS & A2 Level Physics Print Page

Aims of the Course

The aims of the Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced GCE Physics specifications are to encourage students to develop essential knowledge and understanding in Physics and the applications of Physics. Students will be encouraged to sustain and develop their enjoyment of, and interest in, Physics. Students will develop an understanding of the link between theory and experiment. They will be encouraged to appreciate how Physics has developed and is used in present day society. The course shows students the importance of Physics as a human endeavour which interacts with social, philosophical, economic and industrial matters. The course allows students to recognise the quantitative nature of the subject and understand how mathematical expressions relate to physical principles. In addition, students will be able to bring together knowledge of ways in which different areas of Physics relate to each other and to study how scientific models develop.

Scheme of Assessment

Knowledge, understanding and skills are closely linked. Students are required to demonstrate the following assessment objectives in the context of the content of the course and the skills specified:

Knowledge with understanding – weighting at AS = 45% and at A2 = 22.5%

Application of knowledge and understanding, synthesis and evaluation - weighting at AS = 35% and at A2 = 22.5%

Experiment and investigation – weighting at AS = 20% and at A2 = 15%

Synthesis of knowledge, understanding and skills- weighting at AS = 0% and at A2 = 40%

Instead of experimental based coursework, the students take practical examinations fir both AS and A2 levels. In addition, the specification includes a 20% synoptic assessment contained in Unit 6. This draws together knowledge, understanding and skills learned throughout the course – the emphasis is on understanding and application of the principles of Physics.

 

AS Level Modules

Unit 1 - Mechanics and Radioactivity:

  • Rectilinear motion
  • Forces and moments
  • Newton’s first and third laws
  • Dynamics
  • Momentum
  • Newton’s second law
  • Mechanical energy
  • Radioactive decay
  • The nuclear atom

Unit 2 - Electricity and Thermal Physics:

  • Electric current
  • Potential difference
  • Electrical circuits
  • Heating matter
  • Specific heat capacity
  • Specific latent heat
  • Temperature
  • Kinetic model of matter
  • Conservation of energy
  • The first law of thermodynamics
  • Efficiency

Unit 3 - Astrophysics:

  • Observing stars
  • The lives of stars
Written Exam 1hr15m
30% of AS & 15% of A2		 Written Exam 1hr15m
30% of AS & 15% of A2		 1hr30m Practical Exam
20% of AS & 10% of A2

30m Topic Test
20% of AS & 10% of A2

 

A2 Level Modules

Unit 4 - Waves and our Universe:

  • Circular motion
  • Oscillations
  • Simple harmonic motion
  • Superposition of waves
  • Quantum phenomena
  • The expanding Universe

Unit 5 - Fields and Forces:

  • Gravitational fields
  • Electric fields
  • Capacitance
  • Magnetic fields
  • Electromagnetic induction

Unit 6 - Synthesis:

This is the synoptic unit which involves the explicit drawing together of all aspects of the course. It is in two sections:

1. Springs and capacitors, electric and gravitational fields, capacitor discharge

2. Accelerators – electric fields, circular motion and momentum
Written Exam 1hr20m
15% of A2		 Practical Exam 1hr30m and 1hr Written Exam
15% of A2		 2hr Synoptic Exam
10% of A2

 

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