Physics

GCSE PHYSICS                  EDEXCEL 2109

Aims

To develop the student’s understanding of the science around them that affects them in their everyday life.

To develop the student’s questioning, analytical and evaluative approach to scientific problems and issues.

To develop the student’s practical skills in science and an understanding of how science works.

To encourage enthusiasm about science leading to a continued study.  Students are continuously assessed about their practical skills and their knowledge with multiple choice tests throughout the year.

Units

            1.         Producing and measuring electricity

            2.         You’re in charge

            3.         Now you see it, now you don’t

            4.         Space and its’ mysteries

            5.         As fast as you can!

            6.         Roller coasters and relativity

            7.         Putting radiation to use

            8.         Power of the atom

            9.         Particles in action

            10.       Medical physics

Assessment
  • Internal assessment (includes practical assessment and assessment activities)               40%
  • External assessment                                                                                                    60%

 A Level Physics

Subject

Physics

Awarding Body

Edexcel

AS code (cash in)

8PHO1

A2 code (cash in)

9PHO1

Course aims Students must be able

  • To use their knowledge and understanding to pose scientific questions, define scientific problems, and to present scientific arguments and ideas.
  • To consider ethical issues and appreciate the ways in which society uses science to inform decision-making.
  • To use theories, models and ideas to develop and modify scientific explanations, and use appropriate methodology to answer scientific questions.
  • To appreciate the tentative nature of scientific knowledge and appreciate how society uses science in decision- making.
  • To communicate their ideas well, use appropriate terminology and consider applications and implications of science (together with risks and benefits).


AS level Course Details

Unit

Title

Unit Code

Content summary

Assessment type

% of AS

Availability

1

Physics on the go

6PHO1

Mechanics (rectilinear motion, forces, energy, and power) and materials (flow of liquids, viscosity, Stake’s law, Young’s modulus and elastic strain).

External exam

1 hr 20min

40%

January & June

2

Physics at work

6PHO2

Refraction, polarisation, diffraction, standing waves, electricity, Ohm’s law, non-ohmic materials, potential dividers, emf, internal resistance, thermistor and wave particle duality.

External exam

1 hr20 min

40%

January & June

3

Exploring physics

6PHO3

Students write a report, which involves an experiment based on a physics-based visit or case study of an appliance of physics.

Case study is internally marked and externally moderated

20%

June

A2 Course Details

Unit

Title

Unit Code

Content summary

Assessment type

% of A2

Availability

4

Physics on the move

6PHO4

Further mechanics (momentum and circular motion), electric and magnetic fields, and particle physics.

External exam

1hr 35min

Objective questions, short & long questions.

40%

January & June

5

Physics from creation to collapse

6PHO5

Thermal energy, nuclear decay, oscillations, astrophysics and cosmology

External exam

1hr 35min

Objective questions, short & long questions.

40%

January & June

6

Experime-ntal physics

6PHO6

Students must plan an experiment, and then carry out a plan of an experiment which may be their own plan, a plan provided by Edexcel or a plan devised by the centre.

Experimental course work:

Internally assessed, externally moderated.

20%

June