A Level Physics

Qualification: A Level Physics (7408)

Awarding Body: AQA

Support: Up to 2 years

Exams: May/June 2024 or May /June 2025

UCAS Points: Yes - Dependant on Grades

Study Time: 360 Guided Learning Hours - 700 Hours Total Study

PAYMENT DETAILS:

Paying in Full: £499

Paying in Stages: Your first payment will be £99, then a direct debit will be set up for nine monthly payments of £50. Only available to students with a UK bank account. 

Two A Levels: Enter code AL50 at checkout to receive £50 off (Full payment only).
Three A Levels: Enter code AL200 at checkout to receive £200 off (Full payment only).

HOW IT WORKS:

This course will prepare you for sitting your A Level in Physics. You will be able to gain up to 56 UCAS points to aid in your University application process.

We provide you with support for up to two years but it is entirely up to you how quickly you work through and when you sit the exams.

Exams take place once a year in May/June. You may choose to study 'fast track' and aim for the next available dates or you may choose to take a methodical approach and take them at a later date. The choice is entirely yours.

You can study the course online through a portal or receive a hard copy delivered in folders that is yours to keep.

Throughout the course you are fully supported so if you come across anything you are unsure of you can contact your tutor by email. You also have a support team by telephone.

At the end of each section you will complete an assignment which you will email to your tutor. This doesn't count towards your end grade but it allows the tutor to ensure you are on the right track and help iron out any problem areas. Assignments consist of exam style questions so are effectively mini mock exams. The idea is that by the end of the course you are fully up to speed and confident you will achieve the grade you require.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

There are no entry requirements but it is recommended that you have studied the subject at GCSE Level to grade C or above. 

SYLLABUS

Qualification code: 7408

Topic 1: Measurements and Their Errors

• Fundamental (base) units
• mass, length, time, quantity of matter, temperature
• Electric current
• SI units
• SI prefixes, values and standard
• Light intensity
• Prefixes
• Unit converting
• Random and systematic errors
• Uncertainty
• Graph using error bars
• Gradient uncertainties
• Straight-line graph
• Magnitude
• Values of physical quantities

Topic 2: Particles and Radiation

• Constituents of the atom
• Stable and unstable nuclei
• Particles, antiparticles and photons
• Particle interactions
• Classification of particles
• Quarks and antiquarks
• Applications of conservation laws
• The photoelectric effect
• Collisions of electrons with atoms
• Energy levels and photon emission
• Wave-particle duality

Topic 3: Waves

• Progressive Waves
• Longitudinal and transverse waves
• Formation of stationery waves
• Interference
• Diffraction
• Refraction at a plane surface

Topic 4: Mechanics and Materials

• Scalars and vectors
• Moments
• Motion along a straight line
• Projectile motion
• Newton's laws of motion
• Momentum
• Work, energy and power
• Conservation of energy
• Bulk properties of solids
• The Young modulus

Topic 5: Electricity

• Basics of electricity
• Current-voltage characteristics
• Resistivity
• Circuits
• Potential divider
• Electromotive force and internal resistance

Topic 6: Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics

• Circular motion
• Simple harmonic motion (SHM)
• Simple harmonic systems
• Forced vibrations and resonance
• Thermal energy transfer
• Ideal gases
• Molecular kinetic theory model

Topic 7: Fields and Their Consequences

• Fields
• Newton's Law
• Gravitational field strength
• Gravitational potential
• Orbits of planets and satellites
• Electric fields
• Electric field strength
• Electric potential
• Capacitance
• Parallel plate capacitor
• Capacitor charge and discharge
• Magnetic flux destiny
• Moving charged in a magnetic field
• Magnetic flux and flux linkage
• Electromagnetic induction
• Alternating currents
• The operation of a transformer

Topic 8: Nuclear Physics

• Rutherford scattering
• α, β and γ radiation
• Radioactive decay
• Nuclear instability
• Nuclear radius
• Mass and energy
• Induced fission
• Safety aspects

Topic 9: Astrophysics

• Astronomical telescope consisting of two converging lenses
• Reflecting telescopes
• Single dish radio telescopes, I-R, U-V and X-ray telescopes
• Advantages of large diameter telescopes
• Classification by luminosity
• Absolute magnitude, M
• Classification by temperature, black-body radiation
• Principles of the use of stellar spectral classes
• The Hertzspring-Russell (HR) diagram
• Supernovae, neutron stars and black holes
• Doppler effect
• Hubble's law
• Quasars
• Detection of exoplanets

EXAMS AND ASSESSMENT

Exams take place in May/June of each year. It is the responsibility of the student to book their exams. Exam centres will charge and the price can vary so it is wise to investigate prior to enrolment.

To achieve the full Physics A Level you must also take 12 practical assessments. These do not count towards your actual end grade. When the practicals take place, the training and the cost varies from centre to centre so it is very important to ensure you have a centre lined up to complete the practicals prior to enrolling.

You can search for a list of UK exam centres here. Not all of these centres will offer the practicals. Scroll further down the page and you will find a list of centres we know definitely do but obviously try your more local ones first from the link.

A Level Physics consists of three paper-based exams.  A breakdown of the three papers follows:

Paper 1: 

• Type: Written Examination
• Duration: 2 hours
• Weighting: 34% of A Level
• Total Marks: 85
• Assessment format: A mixture of short and long answer questions and multiple choice questions

Paper 2: 

• Type: Written Examination
• Duration: 2 hours
• Weighting: 34% of A Level
• Total Marks: 85
• Assessment format: A mixture of short and long answer questions and multiple choice questions

Paper 3: 

• Type: Written Examination
• Duration: 2 hours
• Weighting: 32% of A Level
• Total Marks: 80
• Assessment format: A mixture of short and long answer questions

RECOMMENDED EXAM CENTRES

English Maths Science Tuition Centre Ltd
40 Showell Green Lane
Sparkhill
Birmingham
B11 4JP

Tel: 0121 881 1209
Email: info@englishandmaths.com
Web: www.englishandmaths.com

3A Tutors Ltd
1A High Street
Staple Hill
Bristol
BS16 5HA

Tel: 0117 910 9932
Email: enquiries@3at.org.uk
Web: www.3at.org.uk

London Brookes College
40/42 The Burroughs
Hendon
London
NW4 4AP

Tel: 020 8202 2007
Email: info@londonbrookescollege.co.uk
Web: www.londonbrookescollege.co.uk

Excel Tutors
167 (2nd Floor)
Commercial Road
London
E1 2DA

Tel: 0207 0011 411
Email: info@exceltutors.org.uk
Web: www.exceltutors.org.uk

Rastrick Independent School
Ogden Lane
Rastrick
Brighouse
HD6 3HF

Tel: 01484 400 344
Email: info@rastrick-independent.co.uk
Web: www.rastrick-independent.co.uk

Greene's Tutorial College
97A St Aldate's Street
Oxford
OX1 1BT

Tel: 01865 248308
Email: enquiries@greenes.org.uk
Web: www.greenes.co.uk

Macclesfield Tutorial College
20 Cumberland Street
Macclesfield
SK10 1DD

Tel: 01625 501 400
Email: office@macctc.co.uk
Web: www.macclesfieldtutorialcollege.com