Students must have gained at least five subjects at GCSE at grade 5 or above including Maths and English. A grade 6 is also required in science.

Physics, like all sciences, is a practical subject. Throughout the course, you will carry out practical activities including:

• Investigation into the variation of the frequency of stationary waves on a string with length, tension and mass per unit length of the string
• Investigation of interference effects to include Young’s slit experiment and interference by a diffraction grating
• Determination of g by a free-fall method
• Determination of the Young modulus by a simple method
• Determination of resistivity of a wire using a micrometer, ammeter and voltmeter
• Investigation of the emf and internal resistance of electric cells and batteries by measuring the variation of the terminal pd of the cell with current in it
• Investigation into simple harmonic motion using a mass-spring system and a simple pendulum
• Investigation of Boyle’s (constant temperature) law and Charles’ (constant pressure) law for a gas
• Investigation of the charge and discharge of capacitors. Analysis techniques should include log-linear plotting leading to a determination of the time constant RC
• Investigate how the force on a wire varies with flux density, current and length of wire using a top pan balance
• Investigate, using a search coil and oscilloscope, the effect on magnetic flux linkage of varying the angle between a search coil and magnetic field direction
• Investigation of the inverse-square law for gamma radiation

These practicals will give you the skills and confidence needed to investigate the way mechanical things behave. It will also ensure that if you choose to study a Physics-based subject at university, you’ll have the practical skills needed to carry out successful experiments in your degree.

Assessment

A-level Physics lasts two years, with exams at the end of the second year. There is no coursework on this course. However, your performance during practicals will be assessed. There are three exams at the end of the two years for A-level, all of which are two hours long.

Studying A-level Physics gives you all sorts of exciting career options, including:

• Secondary school teacher
• Acoustic consultant
• Astronomer
• Computer programmer
• Medical physics
• Geophysicist
• Radiation protection practitioner

The top seven degree courses taken by students who have an A-level in Physics are:

• Physics
• Mathematics
• Computing
• Electronics
• Economics
• Engineering
• and Optometry