Bridging the gap from GCSE to A-level

Welcome to A level Physics

This page has been designed to help you bridge the gap from GCSE to A Level to ensure that you're ready for your new course in September.

Churston follows the OCR 'A' course and this page will give you an idea of how the A level course will be structured, what resources are available and the practicals and assessments that you will complete.

You'll also be guided on the GCSE material to review, ready for september and there's a summer work booklet to complete to give yourself the best chance of success.

How hard is Physics really?

Physics is one of the toughest but most rewarding A Levels you could have chosen.

The students who work the hardest do the best.

Over the course you'll have a little over 9 hours of lessons a fortnight that will cover all the theory and practical skills that you'll need.

You will be given homework questions nearly every lesson and these will be expected to be completed by the next lesson in most cases.

At A-level you should spend a minimum of 3 hours per week outside of class completing homework, reviewing your class work and reading around the subject. Have a look at the 'Additional resources' section for more information.

In addition to the lessons you will receive, there is plenty of support available:

• Teachers: Your teacher is your first point of call as they are the experts – you will have 2 teachers who will always offer their time to help you in and outside of lessons.

• Notes and differentiated questions: Where possible there is a full set of notes that to accompany each lesson on this website. These notes are targeted to the lesson objectives and have questions that tie into the learning outcomes.

See what others say about A level physics here.

Will I be at a disadvantage if I studied double rather than triple science?

The A level physics course is designed for double and triple students to be able to access. However the step up will be greater for double science students and they may have to work a little harder in year 12 to level the playing field!

Course outline

There will be resources added to this website throughout the year but and here is a brief overview of the topics you will study:

Y12 Physics – course outline

• Module 1 Development of Practical Skills

• Module 2 Foundations of Physics

• Module 3 Forces and Motion

• Module 4 Electrons, Waves and Photons

ASSESSMENT: You will sit an exam paper at the end of year 12, which can assess any content from modules 1 – 4. Although your year 12 exams DO NOT count towards your final A level grade, they contribute heavily towards your predicted grade which you need to gain access to university places via the UCAS system.

Y13 Physics – course outline

• Module 1 Development of Practical Skills continued

• Module 5 Newtonian World and Astrophysics

• Module 6 Particles and Medical Physics

ASSESSMENT: There are 3 exam papers at the end of year 13 which make up your A level grade:

• Paper 1, Modelling – modules 1, 2, 3, 5 (2hrs 15 mins, worth 37%)

• Paper 2, Exploring – modules 1, 2, 4, 6 (2hrs 15 mins, worth 37%)

• Paper 3, Unified – any content modules 1 – 6 (1hr 30 mins, worth 26%)

Your Physics A level grade is down to these 3 exams at the end of year 13.

You will also be awarded the "Practical Endorsement" if you have completed all of the required practicals on the course. The completion of these practicals do not go towards your grade but you can be examined on any of the practicals in any of the exams. Additionally most universities require the Practical Endorsement as part of their entry requirements.

Additional resources and support

Lunchtime sessions

Additional weekly support sessions will run at lunchtime and you are invited to come along with any questions about Physics. Mr Long will be available one week and Ms Fairchild the next.

Books

• Textbook: You will be given a textbook which you can also access electronically. It has notes, questions and revision tips and quizzes so make good use of it.

• Revision Guides and Workbooks: We will order some revision guides in the Autumn term and we would strongly encourage you to buy one.

Useful Websites

• GCSE Physics online

This is a fantastic website to plug any gaps in your GCSE knowledge and has a whole section dedicated to preparation for A level.

• Isaac Physics

You may have used this site at GCSE and we use it a lot at A level. You can pick a topic and test yourself. If you answer the high level questions you may be invited to a short course at Oxford University

• Khan academy

Lots of useful short videos to explain concepts clearly and succinctly

• The physics classroom

Loads of helpful explanations and animations

• The Institute of Physics

All sorts of information on transition to A - level, careers and more to help you through the course

Youtube channels

There are a huge number of brilliant channels out there, but start by subscribing to these channels - you'll be amazed by what you can learn:

• Physics girl

• A level physics online

• Minute Physics

• Veritasium

Podcasts and radio

There is nothing better than listening to an absorbing podcast as you walk, organise your room or drift to sleep at night! It’s calming and inspiring at the same time. Luckily there are hundreds to choose from, so you’re bound to find something you enjoy. If you’re interested in a particular topic, such as gravitational waves, type it into the search box on the BBC website, and you’ll probably find a couple of radio shows about it! Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

• The infinite monkey cage

• The Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry

• Bluffer’s Guide to Science

• Big Bang Day: Five Particles

• Experiments that changed the world

TED talks

TED talks are really great, thought-provoking (and free!) presentations on a huge range of topics, often given by the world’s leading thinkers. Browse https://www.ted.com/talks

SUMMER WORK

This work is in a google form and should be completed electronically before your first physics lesson in september.

You can edit the form once you have completed it, but you can only submit it once.

Please click the button below to access your summer work: