Physics
KS5 Physics
AQA Physics 7408
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/physics-7407-7408
Physicists explore the fundamental nature of almost everything we know of. They probe the furthest reaches of the earth to study the smallest pieces of matter. Join them to enter a world deep beneath the surface of normal human experience.
Physics, like all sciences, is a practical subject. Throughout the course you will carry out practical activities including:
- investigating interference and diffraction of laser light
- measuring acceleration due to gravity
- investigating systems that oscillate
- investigation of the links between temperature, volume and pressure
- safe use of ionising radiation
- investigating magnetic fields.
These practicals will give you the skills and confidence needed to investigate the way things behave and work. It will also ensure that if you choose to study a Physics-based subject at university, you’ll have the practical skills needed to carry out successful experiments in your degree.
Assessments
3 written papers at the end of Year 13 (Paper 1 34%, Paper 2 34% and Paper 32%)
2 hours each
Separate practical endorsement grade given based on 12 required practicals
Additional Reading:
Bill Bryson (2016) A short History of Nearly Everything, Black Swan
NewScientist (2006) Why don’t penguins’ feet freeze?, Profile Books
Adam Hart-Davies (2018) Schrodinger’s Cat and 49 other experiments that revolutionised physics (Great Experiments), Modern books
William H. Cropper (2004) Great Physicists, Oxford University Press
Sally Morgan (2008) From Greek Atoms to Quarks, Heinemann Educational Books
Peter Ackroyd (2007) Newton, Vintage
Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw (2012) The Quantum Universe: Everything that can happen does happen, Penguin
Stephen Hawking & Leonard Mlodinow (2010) The Grand Design, Bantam Books
Stephen Hawking (2011) A Brief History of Time: From big bang to black holes, Bantam Books
Brian Greeene (2000) The Elegant Universe, Vintage
Steven Weinberg (1993) The First Three Minutes, Basic Books
John Gribbin (2015) In Search of the Big Bang, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
David Sang, Keith Gibbs and Robert Hutchings (2000) Physics 1, Cambridge University Press
David Sang (2001) Physics 2, Cambridge University Press
Useful websites:
Physics useful websites
https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/ (Seneca – use login given)
https://isaacphysics.org/ (Isaac Physics – use login given)
https://mathsmadeeasy.co.uk/a-level-physics-revision/
https://www.alevelphysicsonline.com/aqa
https://s-cool.co.uk/a-level/physics
http://physicsnet.co.uk/a-level-physics-as-a2/
https://www.physicstutoronline.co.uk/alevelphysicsnotes/
https://www.cyberphysics.co.uk/key_stage/KS5.htm
Youtube videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoO5d5P0Jn4&list=PL58rKAc12lkJZ_AEYekzyKqFtiFXPD2g8 (Crash course physics)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS3Y05JnRGbfyq0oz3pHR3g (myKS5Physics)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZzatyx-xC-Dl_VVUVHYDYw (Physicsonline)
