Physics
SPECIFIC AIMS OF THE DEPARTMENT
Reasons to study physics here in Aquinas:
• Providing a strong foundation: To ensure that you develop a solid understanding of fundamental physics principles and concepts.
• Fostering scientific inquiry: Encouraging you to ask questions, think critically, and engage in hands-on experiments to develop your scientific curiosity and problem-solving skills.
• Enhancing practical skills: Develop practical laboratory skills, data analysis, and experimental design to equip you with the ability to conduct experiments and analyse results effectively.
• Developing scientific literacy: Helping you become an informed citizen who can critically evaluate scientific information and its implications in the world.
• Collaboration and teamwork: Encourage collaborative learning and teamwork, which are important skills in scientific research and in many STEM careers.
• Connecting physics to real-world applications: Demonstrating how physics concepts are applied in everyday life, industry, and technology to make this subject more relevant and engaging.
EXAM BOARD
CCEA
OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM
At Key Stage 3, Physics is taught as part of a general Science programme. Please click here to access the Science Subject Area section of this website for Key Stage 3 information.
OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 4 CURRICULUM
https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-physics-2017
Year 11 (Unit 1) - Weighting 35%
External written examination. Students answer compulsory structured questions that include short responses, extended writing, and calculations.
Topics covered:
• Motion,
• Force,
• Moments,
• Energy,
• Density,
• Kinetic Theory,
• Radioactivity,
• Nuclear Fission and Fusion
Year 12 (Unit 2) - Weighting 35%
External written examination. Students answer compulsory structured questions that include short responses, extended writing, and calculations.
Topics covered:
• Waves,
• Light,
• Electricity,
• Magnetism,
• Electromagnetism,
• Space Physics
Year 12 (Unit 3)
Booklet A - Weighting 7.5%. Externally marked Students carry out two pre-release practical tasks in the final year of study. Higher Tier: 2 hours
Booklet B - Weighting 17.5%. External written examination: Students answer compulsory structured questions that require short responses, extended writing, and calculations, all set in a practical context.
Higher Tier: 1 hour
OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 5 CURRICULUM
https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-physics-2017
A Level Physics:
Year 13
AS 1 Forces, Energy and Electricity
(40% of AS 16% of A level)
AS 2 Waves, Photons and Astronomy
(40% of AS 16% of A level)
AS 3 Practical Techniques and Data Analysis
(20% of AS 8% of A level)
Year 14
A2 1 Deformation of Solids, Thermal Physics, Circular Motion, Oscillations and Atomic and Nuclear Physics
(40% of A2 24% of A level)
A2 2 Fields, Capacitors and Particle Physics
(40% of A2 24% of A level)
A2 3 Practical Techniques and Data Analysis
(20% of A2 12% of A level)
