Science Faculty - Department of Physics
What is physics and why should you take it as a subject?
Physics is a dynamic and varied subject, indeed recent events at CERN demonstrate how international physics has become.
Have a look at these recent topics under discussion with current A level students
- Particle physics http://www.iop.org/resources/topic/index.html
- Search for Aliens
- http://www.iop.org/resources/topic/archive/seti/index.html
- volcanic ash Gas turbine Engines
- http://www.iop.org/resources/topic/archive/volcano/index.html
In year 12 we look at particle physics into the world of Quarks and leptons and begin to understand what matter really is. We look at and model particles that exist, but that we can never see.
A level physics is constantly under review; in fact a new specification has been designed by AQA. Teaching methods of the course have been developed by staff at John Port to ensure an exciting and fresh start this September. As a prospective physics student next year things will be in full swing.
SPECIFICATION AT A GLANCE
AS Examination
Unit 1 . PHYA1 Particles, Quantum Phenomena and Electricity
Written Examination . 70 marks, 6 or 7 structured questions
1 ¼ hours
40% of the total AS marks
20% of the total A-Level marks
Unit 2 . PHYA2 Mechanics, Materials and Waves
Written Examination . 70 marks, 6 or 7 structured questions
1 ¼ hours
40% of the total AS marks
20% of the total A-Level marks
Unit 3 . PHYA3 Investigative and Practical Skills in AS Physics
Centre Assessed Unit . 50 marks
Practical skills assessment (9 marks)
Investigative skills assessment (41 marks)
20% of the total AS marks
10% of the total A-Level marks
A2 Examination
Unit 4 . PHYA4 Fields and Further Mechanics
Written Examination . 75 marks,
Section A is 25 multiple choice questions, each worth one mark.
Section B is a written paper of 4/5 structured questions and consists of 50 marks.
1 ¾ hours
20% of the total A-Level marks
Unit 5 . PHA5D Turning Points in Physics
Written Examination . 75 marks.
Section A: Nuclear and Thermal Physics. 40 marks 4/5 structured questions.
Section B Turning Points in Physics 35 marks.4/5 structured questions.
1 ¾ hours
20% of the total A-Level marks (Section A 10%, Section B 10%)
Unit 6. PHYA6 Investigative and Practical Skills in A2 Physics
Centre Assessed Unit . 50 marks
Practical skills assessment (9 marks)
Investigative skills assessment (41 marks)
10% of the total A-Level marks
AS Subject Content in Brief
Unit 1
Particles, Quantum Phenomena and Electricity
Particles and Radiation
Constituents of the atom
Stable and unstable nuclei
Particles, antiparticles and photons
Particle interactions
Classification of particles
Quarks and antiquarks
Electromagnetic Radiation and Quantum Phenomena
The photoelectric effect
Collisions of electrons with atoms
Energy levels and photon emission
Wave-particle duality
Current Electricity
Charge, current and potential difference
Current / voltage characteristics
Resistivity
Circuits
Potential divider
Electromotive force and internal resistance
Alternating currents
Oscilloscope
Unit 2
Mechanics, Materials and Waves
Mechanics
Scalars and vectors
Moments
Motion along a straight line
Projectile motion
Newton.s laws of motion
Work, energy and power
Conservation of energy
Materials
Bulk properties of solids
The Young modulus
Waves
Progressive Waves
Longitudinal and transverse waves
Refraction at a plane surface
Superposition of waves, stationary waves
Interference
Diffraction
Unit 3
Investigative and Practical Skills in AS Physics
A2 UNITS
Unit 4
Fields and Further Mechanics
Momentum concepts
Circular motion
Simple harmonic motion
Simple harmonic systems
Forced vibrations and resonance
Newton’s laws
Gravitational field strength
Gravitational potential
Orbits of planets and satellites
Electric Fields
Coulomb’s law
Electric field strength
Electric potential
Comparison of electric and gravitational fields
Capacitance
Energy stored by a capacitor
Capacitor discharge
Magnetic Fields
Magnetic flux density
Moving charges in a magnetic field
Magnetic flux and flux linkage
Electromagnetic induction
Unit 5
Nuclear Physics, Thermal Physics and Turning Points in Physics
The discovery of the Electron
Cathode rays
Thermionic emission of electrons
Determination of the specific charge of an electron, e/m, by any one method
Principle of Millikan’s determination of Q
Significance of Millikan’s results
Wave Particle Duality
Newton’s corpuscular theory of light
Significance of Young’s double slits experiment
Electromagnetic waves
The discovery of photo electricity
Wave particle duality
Electron microscopes
Special Relativity
The Michelson-Morley experiment
Einstein’s theory of special relativity
Time dilation
Length contraction
Mass and energy
Unit 6
Investigative and Practical Skills in A2 Physics
What careers could A level physics lead me towards?
Why Physics?
Physics offers challenging, exciting, and productive careers. As a career, physics covers many specialised fields -- from acoustics, astronomy, and astrophysics to medical physics, geophysics, and vacuum sciences.
Physics offers a variety of work activities, -lab supervisor, researcher, technician, teacher, manager. Physics opens doors to employment opportunities throughout the world in government, industry, schools, and private organisations.
Physics applications are many and varied
- · Development of sustainable forms of energy production
- · Treating cancer, through radiotherapy, and diagnosing illness through various types of imaging
all based on physics.
- · Developing computer games
- · Design and manufacture of sports equipment
- · Understanding and predicting earthquakes
The list is almost endless
Good luck on making an informed choice.
I hope physics is one of them!
Mr B Swindell.
Leader of Advanced Physics at John Port
