The study of the nature and properties of matter, energy, space and time. Physics is one of the most fundamental scientific disciplines, and its main goal is to understand how the universe behaves. From the study of stars, planets and galaxies millions of light years away to the building blocks of atoms and the Nano world all around us. Practical work is at the core of our subject and allows us to explore and develop our understanding and to acquire new skills. Through careful measurement and mathematical analysis we look for law and order all around us.

At Thornleigh we follow the AQA specification which can be found by visiting www.aqa.org.uk.

The A Level Physics qualification is linear. There will be three exam papers at the end of the course worth 34%, 34% and 32%. Each paper is 2 hours long. The types of questions will be short and long answer, questions on practical techniques and data analysis and multiple choice questions.

Students will study the following topics:

Year 12

• Measurements and their errors
• Particles and radiation
• Waves
• Mechanics and materials
• Electricity

Year 13

• Further mechanics and thermal physics
• Fields and their consequences
• Nuclear physics

There will also be the option to study one of the following units towards the end of Year 13 in more detail:

• Astrophysics
• Medical physics
• Engineering physics
• Turning points in physics
• Electronics