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Physics

Even if you don’t go on to become a physicist, learning to think like one will help you get to the root of any problem and draw connections that aren’t obvious to others. Physics won’t give you all the answers, but it will teach you how to ask the right questions.

You will already be familiar with many of the topics that you will study, including forces, waves, radioactivity, electricity and magnetism. At A-level, you’ll look at these areas in more detail and find out how they are interconnected. You will also learn how to apply maths to real-world problems and explore new areas such as particle physics, cosmology and medical physics. Perhaps more importantly, you will develop skills that can be transferred to just about any other area of work, from setting up a business to saving the planet.

Transition into Key Stage 5

At Thomas More we follow the advised programme of study to help ‘bridge the gap’ between GCSE and A-level study. There will be an admission test approximately a month into the course where a pass Is required for the student to remain on the course.

Course Outline

We follow the Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Physics (Paper code: 9PH0) which is assessed as follows:

Paper 1: Advanced Physics I (1 hour 45 minutes, 90 marks) – 30%

  • Working as a Physicist
  • Mechanics
  • Electric Circuits
  • Further Mechanics
  • Electric and Magnetic Fields
  • Nuclear and Particle Physics

Paper 2: Advanced Physics II (1 hour 45 minutes, 90 marks) – 30%

  • Working as a Physicist
  • Materials
  • Waves and Particle Nature of Light
  • Thermodynamics
  • Space
  • Nuclear Radiation
  • Gravitational Fields
  • Oscillations

Paper 3: General and Practical Principles in Physics (2 hours 30 minutes, 120 marks) – 40%

  • Questions in this paper may draw on any of the topics in this specification.
  • The paper will include synoptic questions that may draw on two or more different topics.
  • The paper will include questions that assess conceptual and theoretical
    • understanding of experimental methods (indirect practical skills) that will draw on
    • students’ experiences of the core practicals.

Additional and recommended learning tools or reading

  • Physics and Maths Tutor
  • Khan Academy
  • Advanced Physics for You
  • Course Recommend Books

Sources

Department Members

Documents

Subject Documents 6th Form - Physics  
Physics Information Download