EXAMINATION BOARD: OCR - Syllabus A

A Level Physics is concerned with observing natural phenomena in the world modelling them and predicting future outcomes in new and unknown situations. Physics deals with profound questions about the nature of the universe and some of the most important practical, environmental and technological issues of our time. Pupils with a genuine enthusiasm for exploring these issues will find A Level Physics a challenging and rewarding experience involving experiment and observation, mathematical theory and conceptual analysis, and computer modelling.

The A Level Physics course involves the manipulation of complex mathematical equations and pupils taking this course must also study A Level Mathematics. Highly able pupils are strongly advised to choose Further Mathematics as another of their A level options. Applications of Physics involve high levels of creativity, utilising concepts and techniques to drive developments in related subject areas including Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, Materials Science, Mathematics, The Life Sciences, Meteorology and Statistics. As well as research, career prospects for physicists extend into a wide range of industries such as IT, medicine, high finance and engineering.

Pupils will:

• Develop their experimental skills and error analysis throughout the course.
• Understand how mathematical expressions relate to physical principles, and build theoretical models; as when studying radioactive decay, capacitor discharge, oscillations and the kinetic theory.
• Apply the laws of physics to a range of unfamiliar situations, utilising complex mathematical analysis.
• Appreciate how different areas of physics can relate to each other, for example when studying gravitational and electrical fields and potential.