A Level Physics 2015

This distance learning A Level Physics course has been designed to the latest specifications. The first available exam dates for this A Level are in 2017.

Physics is one of the most challenging A Level courses we offer. You will study the most fundamental principles of the universe, and the scientific methods needed in order to understand and interpret them. Physics is a highly respected subject, and is looked favourably upon by universities and employers, primarily because of its difficulty, but also because of the scope of its potential application.

This AQA syllabus takes in a wide variety of theoretical and applied physics, from engineering, medical physics and advanced electronics all the way through to astrophysics and particle theory. This breadth makes A Level physics a valuable qualification for many different kinds of student, from the highly academic to the more practically focused.

NB: Under the new A Level specifications, the AS Level is now a separate qualification, and does not count towards the full A Level. If students still wish to sit the AS exams our course does cover the content – and for many subjects these exams are available in 2016. However, we would always advise students to check with their chosen exam centre about the availability of exams.

In accordance with the latest specifications, this course has been designed to encourage students to:

• Develop their interest in and enthusiasm for the subject, including developing an interest in further study and careers associated with the subject
• Develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to each other
• Develop and demonstrate a deep appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of scientific methods
• Develop competence and confidence in a variety of practical, mathematical and problem solving skills
• Understand how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society
• Use theories, models and ideas to develop scientific explanations
• Use knowledge and understanding to pose scientific questions, define scientific problems, present scientific arguments and scientific ideas
• Use appropriate methodology, including information and communication technology (ICT), to answer scientific questions and solve scientific problems
• Carry out experimental and investigative activities, including appropriate risk management, in a range of contexts
• Analyse and interpret data to provide evidence, recognising correlations and causal relationships
• Evaluate methodology, evidence and data, and resolve conflicting evidence
• Know that scientific knowledge and understanding develops over time
• Communicate information and ideas in appropriate ways using appropriate terminology
• Consider applications and implications of science and evaluate their associated benefits and risks
• Consider ethical issues in the treatment of humans, other organisms and the environment
• Evaluate the role of the scientific community in validating new knowledge and ensuring integrity
• Evaluate the ways in which society uses science to inform decision making.

Course Content:

The AQA A Level Physics specification is structured into thirteen topics, assessed across three examinations. Some of the content is compulsory, and some is optional. If content is listed as optional it means that students will have a choice of questions relating to these topics when they sit their exam. Your tutor may advise that you focus on a particular one of these topics when studying:

Compulsory Content:

• Topic 1: Measurements and their errors
• Topic 2: Particles and radiation
• Topic 3: Waves
• Topic 4: Mechanics and materials
• Topic 5: Electricity
• Topic 6: Further mechanics and thermal physics
• Topic 7: Fields and their consequences
• Topic 8: Nuclear physics

Optional Content

• Topic 9: Astrophysics
• Topic 10: Medical physics
• Topic 11: Engineering physics
• Topic 12: Turing points in physics
• Topic 13: Electronics

Qualification Information:

AQA A Level in Physics: *AQA Qualification Code: 7407/7408

In order to attain this qualification you must sit three examinations and twelve practical assessments. The practicals are not marked, but you will need to be observed by an examination centre to demonstrate competence in the different techniques. The practicals are usually held in Spring of each year, while the written exams are in May/June. Booking exams is the responsibility of the student. Any and all exam fees will be paid by the student directly to their chosen exam centre. Finding an exam centre that will allow private candidates to sit practical exams can be difficult, and students should be prepared to travel. On purchasing the course UKDLP will provide students with a list of recommended exam centres.

Paper 1

Assessment details:

• 34% of A-Level
• 85 marks
• Written exam: 2 hours

What is assessed?:

• Content from topics 1-5 and 6.1

Questions:

• 60 marks = A mixture of short and long answer questions
• 25 marks = Multiple choice questions

Paper 2

Assessment details:

• 34% of A-Level
• 85 marks
• Written exam: 2 hours

What is assessed?:

• Content from topics 6.2, 7 and 8
• Content from topics 1 to 6.1

Questions:

• 60 marks = A mixture of short and long answer questions
• 25 marks = Multiple choice questions

Paper 3

Assessment details:

• 32% of A-Level
• 80 marks
• Written exam: 2 hours

What is assessed?:

• Section A: Practical skills and data analysis
• Section B: Students enter for one of topics 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13

Questions:

• 45 marks = A mixture of short and long answer questions on practical experiments and data analysis
• 35 marks = A mixture of long and short answer questions on chosen optional topic

Practical Assessment

Your A Level grade will be based on your written examinations. However, in order to recieve your A Level you must also undergo a seperate endorsement of 12 practical skills. These are listed below:

1. Investigation into the variation of the frequency of stationary waves on a string with length, tension and mass per unit length of the string.
2. Investigation of interference effects to include the Young’s slit experiment and interference by a diffraction grating.
3. Determination of by a free-fall method
4. Determination of the Young modulus by a simple method.
5. Determination of resistivity of a wire using a micrometer, ammeter and voltmeter.
6. 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.
7. Investigation into simple harmonic motion using a mass-spring system and a simple pendulum.
8. Investigation of Boyle’s (constant temperature) law and Charles’s (constant pressure) law for a gas.
9. Investigation of the charge and discharge of capacitors. Analysis techniques should include log-linear plotting leading to a determination of the time constant
10. Investigate how the force on a wire varies with flux density, current and length of wire using a top pan balance.
11. 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.
12. Investigation of the inverse-square law for gamma radiation.

NOTE: While it is technically possible to receive an A-Level qualification in a science subject without undertaking the practical assessment, your certificate will state that you have not done so. This will seriously damage your chances of getting a University place, or applying for a job. Our understanding is that the majority of Universities will not accept a science A-Level as valid unless the student has completed the practical endorsement. Further to this, at least 15% of the marks on the written papers rely on having some knowledge of these practical skills. We therefore strongly recommend that you take the practicals as well as the written examinations.

Method of Study:

Online Version

Our online A-Level courses are fully digitised versions of the paper-courses, so you can study on any PC or smart device when connected to the internet.

As with the paper course, your online learning programme is completely flexible, so you can study at a pace that suits you.

All of our online course content is broken down into bite size chunks to make your learning more manageable and effective.

Method of Assessment:

The course contains a number of assignments which your tutor will mark and give you valuable feedback on. We call these Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs). You need only send the TMAs to your tutor for comment, not the self-assessment exercises which are also part of the course to help you gauge your progress.

Exams are taken at a registered exam centre, and we can provide an extensive list of centres for you.

Currently there are no Q&As for this course. Be the first to ask a question.