Preparatory work

The A Level Course will require you to hone your skills in a wide range of areas. To prepare for September, please complete the following. 

1)      Please complete the 'Y11 to Y12 Physics Transition Booklet.pdf' (document linked above). This is due the first lesson back. If you cannot print it, please complete questions on lined paper. 

2)       Read through the 'Y11 to Y12 Extension Booklet' (document linked above). This will help increase your knowledge around the curriculum and give you an idea to start on your own independent learning.

Support: Read Chapter 2, Foundations of Physics from the course text books and ensure that you understand the contents. In particular you are looking to show you know:

a.      how to manipulate equations and correctly substitute numbers in to get the correct answers

b.      to know the prefix values and to be able to convert units

c.       to be able to switch between standard form, long form and suitable prefixes (kilo, micro, etc.)

d.      to know the 7 base SI units and to be able to combine to make the derived units

e.      to be able to resolve and combine vectors

To test yourself there is a small book from Isaac Physics called ‘Mastering Essential Pre-University Physics’ (2015) Machacek and Crowther ISBN: 978-0-9572873-3-4. It is actually two books in one cover (the other part is ‘Developing Problem Solving Skills by Jardine-Wright). Don’t be put off by the ‘Pre-University’ label. For a) to d) do pages 1 through 5 and for e) pages 10 through 12. If you need to more practice, then try:

A-Level Physics: Essential Maths Skills (CGP A-Level Physics) 2015 ISBN: 978-1782944713

Resources to obtain

The course text book comes in two forms; one is a relatively thick single volume and the second is a two volume set – basically one for year 12 and one for year 13. The contents is identical, there are just the page numbering differences. From the Department’s point of view, either is acceptable but you will need all of one or the other option.

Single Volume:

A Level Physics for OCR A (2015) Bone, Saunders and Chadha ISBN: 978-0-19-835218-1

Two Volumes:

A Level Physics for OCR A: Year 1 and AS (2015) Bone, Chadha and Saunders ISBN: 978-0-19-835217-4

A Level Physics for OCR A: Year 2 (2015) Bone, Saunders and Chadha ISBN: 978-0-19-835766-7