Learning about physics will help you to gain an understanding of how the world works and will help you develop mathematical, investigative, practical and ICT skills. The Salters Physics course we follow gives many examples of how physics is applied in the outside world and our students are very positive about this approach.
A physics qualification is highly valued by employers and universities and it has been shown that people with a physics degree earn high salaries compared to many other degrees. A2 Physics is useful or essential for a wide range of careers including all branches of engineering, careers in scientific research, medical physics, radiography and other areas linked to medicine, electronics, meteorology, environmental science and geophysics. Physics A-Level is o)en taken by people intending to study medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.
Salters Physics differs from other A-level Physics courses because it uses real-life applications to teach all the physics theory in the course. Some of the topics covered in the first AS year are: the physics of sprinting, rock climbing and bungee jumping; how space stations are powered using solar cells; how a CD works; the wave patterns of different musical instruments; the physics of archaeology; learning about the physics of the flow of chocolate in a sweet factory; how ultrasound can be used to get a picture of an unborn baby.
In the second year (A2) some of the topics covered are: safety and control of trains; sending signals down optical fibres; particle accelerators; the life and death of stars; and the design of buildings in earthquake zones. There are coursework assignments in both the first and second years. In the first year, students will have to do a short write up of a case study on an application of physics. They will then have to plan, carry out and write up an analysis of a practical which is linked to the case study. In the second year students will plan, carry out and write up an analysis of a practical. We use a great variety of activities in lessons including practical work and ICT; for example, simulation software such as Multimedia Sound, spreadsheets and the internet for student research. Past results have shown that girls do just as well as boys in physics and we would positively encourage applications from girls.
AS & A2
Core science and Grade B at the higher tier in Additional Science (not Applied) and A*-C at GCSE Higher level Maths.
You should seriously
consider doing AS-level Maths with this subject
but it is possible to do well at AS Physics
without following the AS Maths course if you
are good at GCSE Maths. However, you will
need A2 Maths if you wish to study Physics
or Engineering at University.