A Level Physics

About This Course

Imagine having the freedom to study at your own time and pace, without the restrictions of attending college or fitting classes around your current work commitments? Our A Level Physics course is designed exclusively for distance learning, enabling you to study the subject you love all from the comfort of your own home.

• We will pay for  your first attempt at each exam!

This impressive course includes everything you’d expect of its college equivalent – the same course materials, examinations and investigative/experimental activities – but instead offers you the flexibility to mould it around your lifestyle and even gives you the opportunity to choose when you want to take your exams.

No deadlines. No pressure. From the moment you enrol you’ll have up to 2 years to complete this course – however you can study as fast or as slow as you want.

More importantly you can enrol safe in the knowledge that this course has been updated to meet the latest academic specifications and content, meaning the course you’ll receive will be of the highest calibre.

From developing your theoretical and practical knowledge of kinetic theory, particles, progressive waves and harmonic systems, to getting to grips with astrophysics, nuclear physics and radiation; this course may be designed for home use, however you will still be able to engage with investigative activities.

Course Benefits

Comprised of 9 topics, each topic aims to enlighten your knowledge of different elements of physics, whilst bringing into context their role within the world we live in.

By broadening your understanding, you will be able to apply these theories to the environment around you and gain valuable skills that can aid you in a number of careers roles.

From engineering and astrology, to simply becoming a teacher… the skills you’ll acquire on this course are certain to create a strong foundation for future study.

With this course you will:

• Earn up to 56 UCAS points which can be used for university applications.
• Be able to study when, where and how you want with no set deadlines.
• Have the freedom to choose when you take your exams – ensuring you are always ready.
• Be able to develop your theoretical and practical knowledge of physics and be able to apply this knowledge in experimental and investigative activities.

Course Units

Topic 1: Measurements and their Errors

• Fundamental (base) Units
• Mass, Length, Time, Quantity of Matter, and Temperature
• Electric Current
• SI Units
• SI Prefixes, Values and Standard
• Light Intensity
• Prefixes
• Unit Converting
• Random and Systematic Errors
• Uncertainty
• Graph Using Error Bars
• Gradient Uncertainties
• Straight-line Graph
• Magnitude
• Values of Physical Quantities

Topic 2: Particles and Radiation

• Constituents of the Atom
• Stable and Unstable Nuclei
• Particles, Antiparticles, and Photons
• Particle Interactions
• Classification of Particles
• Quarks and Antiquarks
• Applications of Conservation Laws
• The Photoelectric Effect
• Collisions of Electrons with Atoms
• Energy Levels and Photon Emission
• Wave-particle Duality

Topic 3: Waves

• Progressive Waves
• Longitudinal and Transverse Waves
• Interference
• Diffraction
• Refraction at a Plane Surface

Topic 4: Mechanics and Materials

• Scalars and Vectors
• Moments
• Motion along a Straight Line
• Projectile Motion
• Newton’s Laws of Motion
• Momentum
• Work, Energy and Power
• Conservation of Energy
• Bulk Properties of Solids
• The Young Modulus

Topic 5: Electricity

• Basics of Electricity
• Current-voltage Characteristics
• Resistivity
• Circuits
• Potential Divider
• Electromotive Force and Internal Resistance

Topic 6: Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics

• Circular Motion
• Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
• Simple Harmonic Systems
• Forced Vibrations and Resonance
• Thermal Energy Transfer
• Ideal Gases
• Molecular Kinetic Theory Model

Topic 7: Fields and their Consequences

• Fields
• Newton’s Law
• Gravitational Field Strength
• Gravitational Potential
• Orbits of Planets and Satellites
• Electric Fields
• Electric Field Strength
• Electric Potential
• Capacitance
• Parallel Plate Capacitor
• Energy stored by a Capacitor
• Capacitor Charge and Discharge
• Magnetic Flux Density
• Moving Charges in a Magnetic Field
• Magnetic Flux and Flux Linkage
• Electromagnetic Induction
• Alternating Currents
• The Operation of a Transformer

Topic 8: Nuclear Physics Rutherford Scattering

•  a, β and y Radiation
• Radioactive Decay
• Nuclear Instability
• Nuclear Radius
• Mass and Energy
• Induced Fission
• Safety Aspects.

Topic 9: Astrophysics

• Astronomical Telescope consisting of two Converging Lenses
• Reflecting Telescopes
• Single Dish Radio Telescopes, I-R, U-V and X-ray Telescopes
• Advantages of Large Diameter Telescopes
• Classification by Luminosity
• Absolute Magnitude, M
• Classification by Temperature, Black-body Radiation
• Principles of the use of Stellar Spectral Classes
• The Hertzsprung-Russel (HR) Diagram
• Supernovae, Neutron Stars, and Black Holes
• Doppler Effect
• Hubble’s Law
• Quasars
• Detection of Exoplanets

Assessment

To achieve this full A Level in Physics, you will need to complete 4 written examinations which will explore your knowledge of the 9 topics taught on the syllabus. In addition, you will need to do 12 practical assessments.

Paper 1: this 2 hour written examination carries 34% of the weight of your A Level grade, and comprises of a mixture of short and long answer questions, and multiple choice questions.

Paper 2: this 2 hour written examination carries 34% of the weight of your A Level grade and comprises of a mixture of short and long answer questions, and multiple choice questions.

Paper 3: this 2 hour written examination carries 32% of the weight of your A Level grade and comprises of a mixture of short and long answer questions.

Practical Assessment: you will need to demonstrate your ability in a range of areas – 12 practical skills in total – whilst being observed by an examination centre. These are usually held in spring.

Please Note: under the new A Level specifications, the AS Level is now a separate qualification and does not count towards the full A Level. If you wish to sit the AS Level exams, this course does contain content which will enable you to take them. Just make sure to check with your chosen exam centre to see if there is availability.

You will also need to take the standard A Level examinations. Both your written examinations and practical assessment can be undertaken at an external examination centre. You will need to book these yourself and there will be an examination fee separate from the course cost.

Required Knowledge

You are required to have GCSE C or above in Mathematics as 10% of your marks will be based on handling Mathematical problems.

Awarding Body

Upon completion of your studies you will receive an A Level in Physics issued by the AQA. It is possible to earn this qualification without completing the practical assessment, however it will be noted on your certificate that you did not complete it.

This could harm your chances of securing a university spot or job, so we recommend finishing the entire course. It is also important to note that 15% of the marks on your exams will rely on knowledge of your practical skills.

Support

We believe in providing our students with unlimited support, so alongside our comprehensive study guide and course materials – which are designed to test and broaden your skills – you will also have the support of our personal tutors and student support team.

They’ll always be on hand to supply you with guidance, instruction and advice. Similarly, the self-assessment exercises and tutor study marked questions (supplied in the course materials) can be used by our tutors to provide you with invaluable feedback as they track your progress. From start to finish you will never be alone in your studies.

Frequently Asked Questions