Physics

Lo que observamos no es la naturaleza en sí, sino la naturaleza expuesta a nuestro método de preguntar.” – Werner Heisenberg

Subject information

ENTRY DETAILS

Exam board: Pearson Edexcel IAL

Specification: Pearson Edexcel International Advanced A-Level in Physics (YPH11)

HOW I WILL BE ASSESSED?

Examination: The course is examined in January and June of both Year 12 and Year 13

COURSE DETAILS

Unit 1: Mechanics & Materials

  • Scalars & Vectors
  • SUVAT equations
  • Projectiles
  • Moments
  • Newton’s laws
  • Momentum
  • Energy & Power
  • Density & Upthrust
  • Stoke’s law
  • Hooke’s law
  • Stress & Strain
  • Young Modulus

Unit 2: Waves & Electricity

  • Wave speed
  • Longitudinal vs Transverse waves
  • Stationary waves
  • Intensity
  • Refraction
  • Polarisation
  • Double slit interference
  • Electron diffraction
  • De Broglie’s equation
  • Pulse-echo technique
  • Photoelectric effect
  • Atomic spectra
  • Circuits
  • Resistivity
  • Drift velocity
  • Components
  • E.m.f. and internal resistance

Unit 3: Practical Skills in Physics I

ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW, DURATION AND WEIGHTING

Paper 1 – Written examination 1 hour and 30 minutes (20% of qualification – 80 marks)

Paper 2 – Written examination 1 hour and 30 minutes (20% of qualification – 80 marks)

Paper 3 – Written examination 1 hour and 20 minutes (10% of qualification – 50 marks)

Paper 4 – Written examination 1 hour and 45 minutes (20% of qualification – 90 marks)

Paper 5 – Written examination 1 hour and 45 minutes (20% of qualification – 90 marks)

Paper 6 – Written examination 1 hour and 20 minutes (10% of qualification – 50 marks)

Exam Papers% of IALAssessment overview
Paper 1 –
(Jan Y12)
20

Section A: Ten multiple-choice questions (10 marks).

Section B: 8 – 10 short-answer questions (70 marks).

Paper 2 –
(June Y12)
20

Section A: Ten multiple-choice questions (10 marks).

Section B: 8 – 10 short-answer questions (70 marks).

Paper 3 –
(June Y12)
105 multi-part questions (50 marks).
Paper 4 –
(Jan Y13)
20

Section A: Ten multiple-choice questions (10 marks).

Section B: 8 – 10 short-answer questions (80 marks).

Paper 5 –
(June Y13)
20

Section A: Ten multiple-choice questions (10 marks).

Section B: 8 – 10 short-answer questions (80 marks).

Paper 6 –
(June Y13)
105 multi-part questions (50 marks).

WIDER READING

  • A short History of Nearly Everything – Bill Bryson.

  • Why don’t penguins’ feet freeze? – NewScientist.

  • The Grand Design – Stephen Hawkin and Leonard Mlodinow.

  • Newton – Peter Ackroyd.

  • The Quantum Universe: Everything that can happen does happen – Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw.