Physics

Course summary

Physics explains the world around us and beyond using forces and energy. You will look at the very smallest, the building blocks of matter i.e. quarks and leptons, to the very largest, the evolution of our Universe. You will learn how Einstein’s E = mc2 equation lead to the development of nuclear bombs. You will understand about the dual-nature of light. Is light a wave? Is it a particle? Or both? You will also cover applications of physics in society e.g. medical imaging. Doing AS Physics at Leyton Sixth Form College is a highly rewarding experience with students studying the subject achieving better results than the comparative national average. WHAT UNITS/TOPICS WILL BE STUDIED? Module 1 – Development of practical skills in physics Skills of planning, implementing, analysis and evaluation assessed in a written examination and practical endorsement Module 2 – Foundations of physics Physical quantities and units; making measurements and analysing data; nature of quantities Module 3 – Forces and Motion Motion; forces in action; work, energy and power; materials; Newton’s laws of motion and momentum Module 4 – Electrons, waves and photons Charge and current; energy, power and resistance; electrical circuits; waves; quantum physics Module 5 – Newtonian world and astrophysics Thermal physics; circular motion; oscillations; gravitational fields; astrophysics and cosmology Module 6 – Particles and medical physics Capacitors; electric fields; electromagnetism; nuclear and particle physics; medical imaging