Physics

Course summary

Physics is a demanding A-level requiring strong mathematical and laboratory skills as well as a deep conceptual understanding and problem-solving. Students extend their knowledge of energy, electricity, waves, forces and motion, atomic structure, magnetism and the particle model from GCSE. New topics include sub-atomic particles, materials science, quantum physics, simple harmonic motion, kinetic theory, capacitance, fields, mass-energy equivalence, nuclear instability, astrophysics and medical physics. As well as having to demonstrate a high level of numeracy, students are also assessed on their communication skills. There are three examination papers: two focus on the core A-level content and the third tests students’ ability to unify concepts across all of the content. Experimental skills are also assessed across 12 core practicals.