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What can Physics tell us about our bodies,our world, or the universe we inhabit?How do ultrasound scanners or fibre optic communications work? What did Isaac Newton have to do with landing a space probe on a comet? How did physicists at CERN develop PET scanners used in cancer diagnosis? These are just a few of the many questions addressed in this course.We look at the nature and behaviour of matter from the subatomic scale, to that of the universe itself. Physics works well with other sciences, Mathematics and Engineering and can lead to careers in areas such as automotive and aerospace industries, health sciences, energy, materials, architecture, finance, technology including music and sound technology, computing and IT.
Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above. A grade 6 is required for Mathematics and Physics or 6/6 in Double Science. Maths skills comprise 40% of examined content; A Level Maths is recommended alongside Physics but is not essential.
Year 1 of the course covers four main areas of Physics:• Practical Skills in physics (classroom assessed)• Foundations of Physics (quantities and units, measurement and analysis)• Forces and Motion (motion, projectiles, forces, work, energy and power, momentum and collisions materials)• Electrons, waves and photons (charge, current, energy, power and resistance, circuits, wave behaviour, interference and stationary waves, photons, electrons and quantum physics).As well as continuing to develop practical skills via centre-assessed components, two more modules are covered in Year 2:The Newtonian World and Astrophysics (thermal physics, ideal gases, oscillations, circular motion, gravitation, planetary motion, stars, stellar distance and cosmology).Particle and Medical Physics (capacitors, electric fields, magnetic fields, electromagnetism, behaviour of charged particles in fields, nuclear physics, radioactivity, fission and fusion, fundamental particles, medical imaging and diagnosis using X-rays, PET scans, ultrasound and more!)
We have modern, purpose-built, fully equipped labs and a wide range of practical equipment including data loggers, oscilloscopes and digital simulations. The course is taught through a combination of interactive lessons and practical activities and the emphasis ison students developing understanding through questioning, research and experiment. We use online resources such as Google Classroom, Kerboodle and Isaac Physics. In addition, we use blended and flipped learning where students independently learn the basic knowledgerequired, freeing up more time to work on answering complex problems together inthe lesson. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their own learning andbe proactive in overcoming any challenges they face. The key focus is on developing conceptual understanding and building mentalmodels so students have a strong recall of facts and ideas when it comes to the finalexams, becoming confident, self-reflective learners along the way.
100% exam assessment at the end of the course.A two year course (three exam papers).• Paper 1 – Modelling Physics• Paper 2 – Exploring Physics• Paper 3 – Unified Physics.There is also a separate standalone centre assessed practical endorsement.
Students usually go on to study at university on courses such as Physics,Astronomy, Materials Science, Geology, Geography, Engineering, Health Sciences, Computing and IT, Architecture and Music and Sound Recording. Some students secure Higher level Apprenticeships and may then be sponsored to complete Level 4 studies and gain a degree while working. Some go on to employment in financial services, the civil service and music and sound recording.
