Description
Our AQA A Level Physics online course offers a comprehensive and rigorous approach to understanding the fundamental principles that govern the universe. Designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to excel both theoretically and practically, this course builds upon the foundation laid at the GCSE / IGCSE level. Whether you aim to pursue Physics or related disciplines at the university level, our A Level Physics online course will provide the robust educational experience you seek.
By opting for our A Level Physics course online, students will gain a deep understanding of key theoretical principles, coupled with advanced practical skills. The syllabus has been crafted to enable learners to grasp, explain, and interact with the technological world around them, making it a highly valued qualification in today’s fast-paced scientific landscape.
Homework, Assessment and Reporting
In the sixth form, students enrolled in our online Physics A Level course are expected to complete at least one piece of homework per subject each week. To secure success, it is highly recommended to revise notes and consolidate learning after each lesson. Following the guiding principle that an hour of independent study should parallel every hour of classroom instruction, our course structure aims for a balanced blend of theoretical understanding and practical application.
The assessment schedule is meticulously planned to ensure students are adequately prepared for their future pursuits. Level 5 internal assessments are conducted in June, and Level 6 internal mock assessments are scheduled for November and March. Following these assessments, reports are issued at the end of the Autumn and Summer terms for Level 5 and after mock assessments for Level 6. These reports provide grades for attainment and effort in each subject, accompanied by written evaluations from Success Coaches and the Head Teacher.
Parental Engagement
We encourage parents to use their family Teams account to maintain consistent dialogue with teachers about their child’s academic progress throughout the year. This system allows for more intricate tracking and ensures that each student’s learning experience is as enriching as possible, offering a unique advantage over traditional annual parent consultation evenings.
With our A Level Physics online course, prepare to delve deep into the world of physics and uncover the scientific principles that shape our understanding of the universe.
Click here to see this year’s Assessment and Reporting schedule
The course will follow the current AQA A Level specifications.
The course will be based on the textbooks recommended for AQA A Levels.
The AS exam is not recommended; we prepare our students for full A Level exams only (AS and A2 combined).
Candidates for AQA AS Level Physics study the following topics:
AQA AS Phys 7407
- 1 Matter and radiation
1.1 Inside the atom
1.2 Stable and unstable nuclei
1.3 Photons
1.4 Particles and antiparticles
1.5 Particle interactions - 2 Quarks and leptons
2.1 The particle zoo
2.2 Particle sorting
2.3 Leptons at work
2.4 Quarks and antiquarks
2.5 Conservation rules - 3 Quantum phenomena
3.1 The photoelectric effect
3.2 More about photoelectricity
3.3 Collisions of electrons with atoms
3.4 Energy levels in atoms
3.5 Energy levels and spectra
3.6 Wave-particle duality - 4 Waves
4.1 Waves and vibrations
4.2 Measuring waves
4.3 Wave properties 1
4.4 Wave properties 2
4.5 Stationary and progressive waves
4.6 More about stationary waves on strings
4.7 Using an oscilloscope - 5 Optics
5.1 Refraction of light
5.2 More about refraction
5.3 Total internal reflection
5.4 Double slit interference
5.5 More about interference
5.6 Diffraction
5.7 The diffraction grating - 6 Forces in equilibrium
6.1 Vectors and scalars
6.2 Balanced forces
6.3 The principle of moments
6.4 More on moments
6.5 Stability
6.6 Equilibrium rules
6.7 Statics calculations - 7 On the move
7.1 Speed and velocity
7.2 Acceleration
7.3 Motion along a straight line at constant acceleration
7.4 Free fall
7.5 Motion graphs
7.6 More calculations on motion along a straight line
7.7 Projectile motion 1
7.8 Projectile motion 2 - 8 Newton’s laws of motion
8.1 Force and acceleration
8.2 Using F = ma
8.3 Terminal speed
8.4 On the road
8.5 Vehicle safety - 9 Force and momentum
9.1 Momentum and impulse
9.2 Impact forces
9.3 Conservation of momentum
9.4 Elastic and inelastic collisions
9.5 Explosions - 10 Work, energy, and power
10.1 Work and energy
10.2 Kinetic energy and potential energy
10.3 Power
10.4 Energy and efficiency - 11 Materials
11.1 Density
11.2 Springs
11.3 Deformation of solids
11.4 More about stress and strain - 12 Electric current
12.1 Current and charge
12.2 Potential difference and power
12.3 Resistance
12.4 Components and their characteristics - 13 Direct current circuits
13.1 Circuit rules
13.2 More about resistance
13.3 Electromotive force and internal resistance
13.4 More circuit calculations
13.5 The potential divider
Candidates for AQA A Level Physics study the AS Level topics, including some topics in further detail, and additionally study the following topics:
AQA A2 Physics 7408
- 17 Motion in a circle
17.1 Uniform circular motion
17.2 Centripetal acceleration
17.3 On the road
17.4 At the fairground - 18 Simple harmonic motion
18.1 Oscillations
18.2 The principles of simple harmonic motion
18.3 More about sine waves
18.4 Applications of simple harmonic motion
18.5 Energy and simple harmonic motion
18.6 Forced oscillations and resonance - 19 Thermal Physics
19.1 Internal energy and temperature
19.2 Specific heat capacity
19.3 Change of state - 20 Gases
20.1 The experimental gas laws
20.2 The ideal gas law
20.3 The kinetic theory - 21 Gravitational fields
21.1 Gravitational field strength
21.2 Gravitational potential
21.3 Newton’s law of gravitation
21.4 Planetary fields
21.5 Satellite motion - 22 Electric fields
22.1 Field patterns
22.2 Electric field strength
22.3 Electric potential
22.4 Coulomb’s
22.5 Point charges
22.6 Comparison between electric and gravitational fields - 23 Capacitors
23.1 Capacitance
23.2 Energy stored in a charged capacitor
23.3 Charging and discharging a capacitor through a fixed resistor
23.4 Dielectrics - 24 Magnetic fields
24.1 Current-caring conductors in a magnetic field
24.2 Moving charges in a magnetic field
24.3 Charged particles in circular orbits - 25 Electromagnetic induction
25.1 Generating electricity
25.2 The laws of electromagnetic induction
25.3 The alternating current generator
25.4 Alternating current and power
25.5 Transformers
- 26 Radioactivity
26.1 The discovery of the nucleus
26.2 The properties of a, band y radiation
26.3 More about a, band y radiation
26.4 The dangers of radioactivity
26.5 Radioactive decay
26.6 The theory of radioactive decay
26.7 Radioactive isotopes in use
26.8 More about decay modes
26.9 Nuclear radius - 27 Nuclear energy
27.1 Energy and mass
27.2 Binding energy
27.3 Fission and fusion
27.4 The thermal nuclear reactor - 28 Astrophysics
28.1 Telescopes
28.2 Surveying the stars
28.3 Cosmology
All candidates study practical skills.
AQA science A Levels do not require a science practical endorsement to pass (all grades A*-G are achievable without a practical examination). However, students are advised to check with their intended university whether a science practical endorsement is required. If so the science practical endorsement can be taken later, even after students have passed and left the A Level course.
- Recommended (but not compulsory) textbook:
AQA Physics A Level Student Book by Jim Breithaupt 2015 - Recommended worksheets: https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/physics-revision/a-level-aqa/
It is the parents’ responsibility to arrange their child’s examinations; our teachers will provide all the support required. Most students will sit their examination papers at a school or college who accept private candidates. Some students sit their examinations at private examination centres.
Unlike the Cambridge examination board, the AQA examination board has few examination centres outside of the UK, and so it is likely that students will sit their science A Level examinations at a UK examination centre. As CHS students are applying to top UK universities, travel to the UK will be required.
Separate Science Practical Endorsement (Optional)
AQA science A Levels do not require a science practical endorsement to pass (all grades A*-G are achievable without a practical examination). However, students who wish to study sciences at degree level are advised to check with their intended university whether a science practical endorsement is required. If so, a separate science practical endorsement examination can be taken later, even after students have passed and left their CHS A Level course. Students should check with their local examination centre to see if they offer science practical preparation and examinations. While separate Practical Endorsement preparation and examination courses (typically 1 week duration) are readily available in the UK, they may not be available internationally. International students do have the option of sitting examinations and the practical endorsement in the UK. Preparation for this additional practical endorsement will be carried out by your appointed examination centre and not by the school.
“The conducting of experiments is potentially dangerous and must be supervised by an adult. Cambridge Home School and its teachers do not demand that pupils conduct experiments. Parents and pupils must make the decision whether or not to conduct experiments / dangerous activities and must therefore accept responsibility for any outcomes. Cambridge Home School does not accept responsibility for experiments or any other dangerous activity conducted at the homes of its pupils or in any other place.”
If you are intending to study A Level Physics after IGCSE, we recommend that you spend some time in the summer holidays preparing. Here are some suggested activities:
Movies to watch:
The Theory of Everything (2014) – a biographical drama about the life and work of renowned physicist Stephen Hawking.
Interstellar (2014) – a science fiction film that explores the concept of time dilation, black holes, and the relationship between gravity and time.
The Imitation Game (2014) – a historical drama about the life of Alan Turing, a mathematician and computer scientist who played a pivotal role in cracking Nazi Germany’s Enigma code during World War II.
Hidden Figures (2016) – a biographical drama about the contributions of three African American female mathematicians who worked at NASA during the space race.
The Martian (2015) – a science fiction film about an astronaut stranded on Mars and his efforts to survive and make contact with Earth.
Contact (1997) – a science fiction film based on a novel by Carl Sagan, which explores the themes of extra-terrestrial life, interstellar travel, and the search for meaning in the universe.
Read:
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams – this comedic science fiction novel follows the adventures of an unwitting human and his alien friend as they travel through space, encountering all sorts of strange and wacky phenomena.
The Martian by Andy Weir – this novel tells the story of an astronaut who becomes stranded on Mars and must use his scientific knowledge and ingenuity to survive.
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton – while this novel is primarily about genetically-engineered dinosaurs running amok, it also explores the science behind genetic engineering and chaos theory.
The Physics of the Impossible by Michio Kaku – this non-fiction book explores the scientific principles behind concepts like time travel, teleportation, and telekinesis, and explains what makes them currently impossible or potentially feasible in the future.
What is the aim of the A Level Physics online course?
The online A Level Physics course is designed to expand upon GCSE/IGCSE Physics and to equip students with both a deep understanding of theoretical principles and advanced practical skills. This qualification is highly valued and prepares students for further studies at university.
How is homework managed in the Physics A Level online course?
Each week, sixth form students are expected to complete a minimum of one homework assignment for each subject they are studying. Moreover, students are advised to devote an hour to independent study for each hour of teaching to help ensure their success.
Can you describe the assessment procedure in the online Physics A Level?
The course involves Level 5 internal assessments in June and Level 6 mock assessments in November and March. Reports, which include grades for both effort and attainment as well as written comments from Success Coaches and the Head Teacher, are issued at different times during the academic year.
How can parents stay involved in their child’s Physics A Level online course?
Parents can utilise a family Teams account to maintain open communication with the teachers. This facility allows for more detailed tracking of student performance compared to what can be gathered from an annual parent consultation evening.
What should students know about exams in the Physics A Level online course?
Although AQA science A Levels do not necessitate a practical endorsement for passing the course, students are advised to confirm with their intended university if such an endorsement is required. If needed, the practical endorsement can be taken at a later date, even after completion of the A Level course.
General points
Assessment, apart from the final International GCSE exams, will be carried out continuously throughout lessons, via homework or short tests.
Practicals will not be possible due to the online nature of teaching, but students are welcome to carry out safe practicals at home. Students are also encouraged to watch videos of practicals online, for example using YouTube. Students will also be encouraged to think scientifically in an everyday context, making them aware of the science around them and how it can help in solving problems.
The Teachers
Physics at Cambridge Home School Online is taught by Dr Koos, Dr Mutlu, Mrs Perkins and Miss Neckles. Click on the names below to find out more about our Physics teachers.