November 2, 2020

A-Level Physics Explained

Physics is one of the most important subjects you can study, and it’s something that will apply to your life every day, no matter whether you’ve studied it or not. Physics is the study of the universe, of movement, space, time, matter, and everything in between. A-level physics is all about looking at the different practical skills and theoretical ideas that explore the universe.




If you want a fulfilling, interesting and challenging A-level then physics is most definitely the choice for you right now. But you need to make sure you understand what is involved in this, and what you should expect from studying A-level physics these days. The great thing about Physics is that it serves such an important role in your life, and it trains you to think outside the box and approach things differently, and this is so important.


So let’s take a look at what you should expect from A-level physics, what you learn, and what you should expect from the exams in the process as well.


What is A-Level Physics About?


A-level physics is concerned with the study of the fundamentals of all sciences, at a basic level. This is something that you need to make sure you think about, and the diversity of A-level physics is what makes it one of the most popular choices among students across the UK. Indeed, when you study A-level physics, you can learn about something as vast and unquantifiable as the galaxy or universe, or you can be studying the minutiae of the tiniest particles, such as atoms.


If you really want a subject that is going to keep your mind working and pique your interest and imagination then physics is for you. It’s the study of everything, and the perfect place to ask questions and challenge preconceptions. Physics is challenging, and it should be. But it’s also exciting, fascinating and illuminating.


What Work is Involved?


Naturally you want to make sure you get the perfect outcome for your A-level studies, and this is why you need to know the work that is involved in making sure you get the best possible outcome from your studies. A-level physics is essentially mixing conceptual thinking and practical application, and typically involves thinking about abstract ideas. You will be conducting experiments to try to get positive results, and this is going to involve hard work, determination, and patience.


You need to be au fait with using lab equipment, as well as being able to make accurate calculations. Being able to communicate clearly in written terms is essential, and you need to make sure you have at least a basic grasp of algebra.


What do You Need to be Eligible?


In order to be eligible to study physics at this level you are going to need to have the relevant GCSE grades. A good understanding of physics is essential, and having a - 7 or better at GCSE Physics or Double Science is essential. You are going to need to be able to write in good English, as well have a good grasp of mathematics as well. One of the great things about physics at an advanced level is that it can also complement things like A-level chemistry and biology, as well as maths. Taking these alongside physics can be very useful, and vice versa.


Assessment and Exam Boards


When you are trying to decide if you should study A-level physics, it is important to make sure you assess the different exam boards and the way in which they grade and mark these exams. Now, all exam boards offer an A-level physics course, and these are two of the main exam boards that you need to be familiar with that offer A-level physics.


AQA


AQA A-level physics course covers so many different and fascinating areas of physics, including quantum physics, mechanics, energy, Newton’s Laws of Motion, thermal physics and gases, force, gravitational & electrical fields, and more. The exam board also will assess the use of techniques and apparatus, as well as practical activities and written papers.


CIE


CIE also offers a fairly standardised A-level physics exam, and this is a good thing for those looking for consistency. However, one of the key things that you need to keep in mind when it comes to the CIE A-level physics exam is that the difference between this board and all the others is that they have a timed practical exam that accounts for around 23% of the final grade. This is great for those who feel that they perform better in practical scenarios and would like this to count towards their grade.  


Is it Hard?


It is clear that physics is a difficult and challenging A-level exam, and this is not necessarily a bad thing. There are so many factors that play a part in any kind of course or exam, and whether they are considered to be difficult or not is largely subjective. However, physics is typically considered to be among the most challenging, and has a slightly lower pass rate compared with other A-levels.


What Will You Learn?


There is so much you can learn when it comes to the study of A-level physics. As mentioned earlier, this is basically the study of everything, and you will open your mind to new experiences and information that will change your life and improve your capacity for learning. And physics is a highly respected A-level that can lead to many career opportunities.


Try to make sure you focus on getting the best possible outcome when it comes to improving your exam results with regards to A-level physics. There are a lot of elements that you are going to have to factor in when it comes to making the most of this. And it is clear that understanding what to expect from the course and the way in which exam boards make assessments is really important. Understanding and improving the process when it comes to taking A-level physics is really important for the future right now.



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