A
level GCSE
Worksheets About Advanced
level physics Background Physics underpins almost
all technical activity, so if you want to be an engineer or
a pure scientist you will need an A Level in physics to get
onto the degree course of your choice. Even if you don't
want to continue with science beyond school, you will find
that an A level in physics is acceptable for entry into many
non-science courses, if only because physics is one of the
most intellectually demanding A level subjects. A Level study is much more
demanding than GCSE. Not only will you be studying the
subject to a greater depth, you are also expected to provide
a high degree of self-motivation. We strongly recommend that
you also study A/S mathematics. Course entry
requirements •You
must obtain at least a grade BB in Double Award
Science. •
You should also obtain grade A in Mathematics. Examination board
& syllabus •
EDEXCEL •
The relevant syllabus numbers are 8540 for A/S & 9540
for A2. Course
content AS
& A2
Physics are modular. Study is divided into 6 Units. You
study Units 1, 2 & 3 in one year to obtain an
AS.
To gain an A2
you study a further three Units the following year: Units 4,
5 and 6. •
Unit 1 (AS):
Mechanics and radioactivity •
Unit 2 (AS):
Electricity and Thermal Physics •
Unit 3 (AS):
A topic chosen from astrophysics, materials science,
particle physics or electronics •
Unit 4 (A2):
Waves and our universe •
Unit 5 (A2):
Fields and Forces •
Unit 6 (A2):
Synoptic paper based on whole syllabus. Examinations There is no
coursework. The exam consists of
individual papers. Units 1, 2 & 3 are
taken at the end of the first year and lead to an
AS •
Units 1, 2 are each examined by means of a single structured
paper lasting 1 hour and 20 minutes. •
Unit 3 is examined by means a 45 minute written exam on a
chosen topic. •
There is a practical test lasting 1 hour and 30
minutes. Units 4, 5 & 6 are
studied in the second year, and examined at the end of that
year. •
Unit 4 is examined by a single structured paper lasting 1
hour and 20 minutes. •
Unit 5 is examined by a single structured paper lasting 1
hour. •
Unit 6 is examined by a single paper lasting 2 hours that
includes a comprehension and three further questions drawn
from any topic on the whole syllabus. •
There is a practical test lasting 1 hour and 30
minutes. Exams in Units 1, 2 &
3 are taken in June at the end of the first year of the
course. If you don't do well in one or other unit, you can
resit it the following June. Exams in Units 4, 5 & 6 are
taken in June, at the end of the second year. The
AS
is awarded on the basis of your overall performance in units
1, 2 & 3. The
A2
is awarded on the basis of overall your performance in all
six Units. Further
information For detailed information
about the course go to the Edexcel web site: (you will find the
student's guide to AS
& A2
physics especially useful) You can find out more
about the course by referring to the
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Date Last
Modified: Nov
2003
Emanuel School, London SW11 1HS, U.K.