PHYSICS

EXAMINATION BOARD: EDEXCEL Advanced Subsidiary (AS Level) (8540)

                                         Advanced Level (A Level) (9540)

The qualification builds on the knowledge, understanding and process skills developed in GCSE Science. Students are expected to have achieved at least a GCSE grade B in Physics or BB in Science (Double Award). It will be very helpful to have at least a grade B in GCSE Mathematics as numeracy and mathematical skills are important in Physics.

What kind of student is this qualification suitable for?

A Level Physics is suitable for students who:

·                    have an interest in, and enjoy physics;

·                    want to find out about how things in the physical world work;

·                    enjoy applying their mind to solving problems;

·                    enjoy carrying out investigations by the application of imaginative, logical thinking;

·                    want to use physics to support other qualifications or progress onto further studies or employment.

AS Physics is also suitable for students who:

·                    want to go on to the full A Level;

·                    want a grounding in a relevant worthwhile qualification of recognised value;

·                    want to broaden their educational experience before making a decision about which A Levels to take;

·                    are taking A Levels in the other Sciences and/or Mathematics and want to take another course that will support their studies.  

What examinations will I have to take to get my qualifications?

The AS is a qualification in its own right. You study three units in the AS. The full A Level is made up from the AS Level and three more units. This table shows you the examinations you will take and the % each unit is worth of either the AS or A Level.

Component                                     Duration    AS    A Level

1  Unit Test           AS and A Level                1 h 20 min    30%   15%

2  Unit Test           AS and A Level                1 h 20 min    30%   15%

3  Topics Test and  AS and A Level                45 min         20%   10%

    Practical Test                                           1 h 30 min    20%   10%

4  Unit Test           A Level                           1 h 20 min    -        15%

5  Unit Test and     A Level                           1 h 00 min    -        7.5%

    Practical Test                                           1 h 30 min    -        7.5%

6  Synoptic Test    A Level                           2 h 00 min    -        20%

    (Terminal Unit)                    

What is in the units?

Unit 1 - Mechanics and Radioactivity

This unit leads on from GCSE studies and covers rectilinear motion, forces and moments, Newton's first and third laws, dynamics, momentum, Newton's second law, mechanical energy, radioactive decay and the nuclear atom.

Unit 2 - Electricity and Thermal Physics

This unit includes electric current and 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 and efficiency.

Unit 3 - Topics and Practical Test

You will study from a choice of topics for this unit. One topic is chosen from:  astrophysics, solid materials, nuclear and particle physics and medical physics.  Also, you sit a practical test. The practical test and the assessment of the topics will take place on different days.

Unit 4 - Waves and Our Universe

This unit includes circular motion and oscillations, simple harmonic motion, waves, superposition of waves, quantum phenomena and the expanding Universe.

Unit 5 - Fields and Forces and Practical Test

The first part of this unit covers gravitational fields, electric fields, capacitance, magnetic fields, and electromagnetic induction.  The second part of this unit is a practical test. The practical test and the unit test will take place on different days.

Unit 6 - Synoptic Unit

A synoptic unit means you draw together knowledge and understanding and skills from throughout the course.  It contains the following content which is assessed synoptically: analogies in

Physics - comparison of springs and capacitors, comparison of electric and gravitational fields, comparison between capacitor discharge and radioactive decay; accelerators - conservation of mass-energy, linear accelerators, ring accelerators and detecting particles.  Also, there are synoptic questions which test content from anywhere in the specification (but not from the Topics).

What could I go on to do at the end of my course?

Physics leads on to an extremely wide range of courses and careers. You could go on to use Physics to support other qualifications or progress onto further studies or employment. This could be:

·                    from a Higher National programme (HNC & HND) to degree level;

·                    courses ranging from Physics, the Sciences, Medicine to Engineering;

·                    Chemical Engineering and related programmes;

·                    Employment in the area of radiography, and biotechnology as possible examples.

In fact Physics is recognised as an entry qualification for a vast range of Higher Education courses and employment.