Physics
Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys
Course summary
Physics offers you a fascinating course, a vast range of extra-curricular activities, and the opportunity to be involved in real physics research. The study of Physics takes you on a journey from understanding the particles at the very heart of matter to observing the most distant objects in the universe. Through understanding the fundamental principles of waves, mechanics, and electricity we can begin to tackle some of the big questions about the nature of matter, the possible solutions to major problems such as energy production, and the challenges ahead such as spaceflight. We hope each year that most students will go to CERN where they will have a variety of lecturers and visits to enrich and enthuse their experience within Physics and the other Sciences. For those particularly keen on Astronomy there are opportunities to take part in live observing at arranged times using the school telescope and during our public “Star Gazing” observing sessions during the Autumn and Winter. We also give students opportunities to be involved in research, and to present their plans and results to professionals at CERN as well as other symposiums, and times throughout the school year. This has made physics a very popular choice of subject in the school. Practical work is an essential part of the course and is continually assessed in a manageable way, a practical endorsement is then issued on the exam certificate on the successful completion of practical work. Particles, Quantum Phenomena • The nucleus includes particles and their interactions, antiparticles and photons; hadrons and leptons; the standard model; • Quantum phenomena including photo-electricity, energy levels, photon emission, wave-particle duality; Electricity • Electrical quantities, resistivity, circuits, potential dividers, EMF, and internal resistance. Mechanics • Scalars and vectors, motion along a straight line, projectile motion, Newton’s laws of motion, energy and power, momentum, and moments. Materials • Bulk properties of solids i.e. Hooke’s law and density, Young modulus. Waves • Longitudinal and transverse waves, progressive and stationary waves, refraction, diffraction, and interference. Superposition and stationary waves. Further Mechanics • Circular motion and simple harmonic motion, understanding simple harmonic systems, resonance, and damping. Fields • Gravitational fields, electric fields, capacitors, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction alternating current. Thermal Physics • Thermal properties of materials, ideal gases, and the kinetic theory of gases. Nuclear physics • This section builds on key ideas about particles and energy and covers probing the nucleus, radioactivity, nuclear instability, and nuclear energy. Astrophysics • Lenses and telescopes, non-optical telescopes, classification of stars, cosmology.
Entry Requirements
Checked against your grades — every rule traces to the school's published source.
| Requirement | Rule | You |
|---|---|---|
Total point score | Minimum total point score of 50 | — |
As published by the school
A GCSE points score of at least 50. Grade 4 or higher in both English Language and Mathematics. 6 in Physics (77 in Dual Science) and 6 in Maths.
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Assessment
The A level consists of three exams. The first will assess all content from the units studied in Year 12, and the second exam will assess the units studied in Year 13. The third exam will assess practical skills and the Astrophysics unit. Each exam is of a 2-hour duration; further details can be obtained from the AQA website.
About School
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