KS5 PHYSICS
“That which is not measurable is not science. That which is not physics is stamp collecting.”
Earnest Rutherford
Physics explores the fundamental nature of almost everything we know of, from the smallest pieces of matter to the furthest reaches of the observable universe. It explains the underlying concepts behind every day phenomena and is pushing the advancement of human knowledge. Many apparently complicated things in nature can be understood in terms of relatively simple mathematical relationships. Physicists try to uncover these relationships through observing, creating mathematical models, and testing them by doing experiments. In short it tries to answer the biggest question of all ‘What is the universe, how did it begin, and how does it all work?’
During the A Level Physics course you will study:
- Particles and Radiation
- Waves
- Mechanics and Energy
- Electricity
- Thermal Physics
- Electromagnetic and Gravitational Fields
- Nuclear Physics
Physics will help you solve problems. Not just physics problems, but any problem which can be logically thought out. Physics is all about taking something which is very complicated, and breaking it down into much smaller, simpler components. Physicists become very adept at taking a problem, explaining it in terms of basic ‘first principles’ and then using mathematics to find the most logical and optimal solution.
KS5 topics by year
Exam Board: AQA
Year 12
- Constituents of the atom
- Stable and unstable nuclei
- Scalars and vectors
- Motion along a straight line
- Projectile motion
- Particles, antiparticles and photons
- Particle interactions
- Classification of particles
- Quarks and antiquarks
- Application of conservation laws
- Moments
- Newton’s Laws of Motion
- Momentum
- The Photoelectric Effect
- Collisions of electrons with atoms
- Energy levels and photon emission
- Wave-Particle duality
- Work, energy and power
- Conservation of energy
- Genetics and diversity
- Transport across cells
- Progressive waves
- Longitudinal and transverse waves
- Principle of superposition of waves and formation of stationary Waves
- Bulk properties of solids
- The Young Modulus
- Interference
- Diffraction
- Basics of electricity
- Current-Voltage characteristics
- Resistivity
- Refraction at a plane surface
- Circuits
- Potential dividers
- Electromotive force and internal resistance
Year 13
- Circular motion
- Simple Harmonic Motion
- Newton’s Laws
- Gravitational Field Strength
- Gravitational potential
- Orbits of planets and satellites
- Simple Harmonic Systems
- Forced vibrations and resonance
- Thermal energy transfer
- Ideal gases
- Molecular Kinetic Theory Model
- Coulomb’s law
- Electric field strength
- Electric Potential
- Capacitance
- Parallel Plate Capacitance
- Energy Stored by a Capacitor
- Capacitor Charge and Discharge Potential
- Rutherford scattering
- Alpha, beta, and gamma radiation
- Radioactive decay
- Nuclear instability
- Magnetic flux density
- Moving charges in a magnetic field
- Magnetic flux and flux linkage
- Electromagnetic Induction
- Alternating Currents
- The Operation of a Transformer
- Nuclear radius
- Mass and energy
- Induced fission
- Safety aspects
- Cathode rays
- Thermionic emission of electrons
- Specific charge of the electron
- Principles of Millikan’s determination of e
- Newton’s Corpuscular Theory of Light
- Significance of Young’s Double Slits Experiment
- Electromagnetic Waves
- The Discovery of Photoelectricity
- Wave-Particle Duality
- Electron Microscopes
- The Michelson-Morley experiment
- Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity
- Time dilation
- Length contraction
- A Level exams
Key Contact
If you would like any more information about this subject, please contact
Christopher Curtis at Christopher.Curtis@thebicesterschool.org.uk