PHYSICS AT ST GEORGE

1
PHYSICS AT ST GEORGES COLLEGE

• AS and A2 level

2
Why Study Physics?

• To satisfy our curiosity
• Why is the sky blue?
• How do mobile phones work?
• To help us to understand the world around us
• How was the Universe formed?
• Why do things fall down?
• To enable us to participate in and help to
  forward advances in technology
• e.g. Quantum Physics led to CD Players
• To have fun!

3
At University

• A2 level Physics is required for Engineering
  Physical Science courses
• AS level Physics would be recommended for
  Medicine and any Science course
• For any other course, A2 AS level Physics is
  treated as a serious academic qualification

4
Physics Careers

• Direct uses of Physics include
• academic research, computing, opto-electronics,
  telecommunications, motor vehicle technology,
  power generation, medical physics, meteorology
  etc...
• A Physics qualification is valued in
• medicine, finance, marketing, business
  management, teaching etc...

5
GCSE Grades Required

• In order to study Physics successfully at AS or
  A2 level you need to have gained at IGCSE or GCSE
  level
• Physics A
• OR
• Double Award Science AA
• Most successful students would have A grades.

6
AS Overview

• We undertake the Physics A specification of the
  AQA Examination Board
• At AS level there are three modules
• Two theory papers, Unit 1 Unit 2 (2 x 40)
• Plus Unit 3 consisting of in-laboratory practical
  tasks (20)
• Groups are usually taught by two Physics teachers

7
AS Unit 1

• Consists of
• Particle Physics e.g. quarks antimatter
• Quantum Physics e.g. wave-particle duality
• Electricity extending from GCSE work
• This is assessed through an externally marked
  written paper of length 75 minutes

8
AS Unit 2

• Consists of
• Mechanics e.g. projectiles Newtons laws
• Material Physics e.g. the Young Modulus
• Waves e.g. diffraction interference
• This is assessed through an externally marked
  written paper of length 75 minutes

9
AS Unit 3

• This is internally assessed through laboratory
  practical assignments
• This extends work covered at GCSE into How
  Science Works
• Includes areas such as data processing and the
  evaluation of results

10
The A2 (A-level) Modules

• This course is taken in the upper sixth year
• At A2 level there are three modules
• Two theory papers
• Unit 4 Fields Further Mechanics (40)
• Unit 5 Nuclear Thermal Physics
• plus an optional topic (40)
• Unit 6 consisting of in-laboratory practical
  tasks (20)

11
More Information

• Ask for a handout
• Ask me ! (Mr. K Taggart)
• The Physics Department Website at
  www.ktaggart.co.uk