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A Level Physics Cambridge

Physics supports progression onto university in degrees such as Engineering and Nuclear Sciences. You will receive up to 56 UCAS points and expert guidance applying to Universities worldwide including the UK.
  • Awarding Body: Cambridge
  • Specification Code: 9702
  • Learning Hours: 360 Hours
  • Fast Track Available
  • Full A Level Qualification
General Certificate of Education in Physics CIE
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Enrolment Fee £395

Overview

The A Level Physics Online course with Learn Now follows the CIE (9702) specification and is equivalent to the qualification you would achieve if attending mainstream college.  Once completed, you will obtain UCAS points which will support progression to university in degrees such as Physics, Engineering, Computing and Nuclear Sciences.

This course would suit adult learners returning to education, students resitting exams or studying alongside other commitments, and learners looking to be accepted into University.

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Syllabus

This International A Level Physics CIE Course with Cambridge builds on the skills acquired at GCSE (or equivalent) level. The syllabus includes the main theoretical concepts which are fundamental to the subject, a section on some current applications of physics, and a strong emphasis on advanced practical skills. Practical skills are assessed in a timetabled practical examination.

The emphasis throughout is on the understanding of concepts and the application of physics ideas in novel contexts as well as on the acquisition of knowledge. The course encourages creative thinking and problem-solving skills which are transferable to any future career path.

The Full A Level Physics CIE course has 25 modules you will need to cover.  The IAS Level has 13 modules and all of these are listed below.

IAS Modules

Physical quantities are things we measure such as length, mass, time, speed and force.  SI Units are used worldwide for example, meter (m) for length and second (s) for time. Scalars and Vectors must also be considered in Physics.  Scalars are simple numbers with units that can be added or subtracted whereas Vectors are a quantity that has both magnitude and direction.

  • Physical quantities
  • SI units
  • Errors and uncertainties
  • Scalars and vectors
Equations of motion are formulas that help us to calculate where an object will be after a certain time along with how fast the object is moving at any point.  They can also help us to understand the effect of forces and acceleration on motion.

  • Equations of motion
Dynamics is the study of forces causing motion.  It explains why objects start, stop or change speed.

  • Momentum and Newton’s laws of motion
  • Non-uniform motion
  • Linear momentum and its conservation
This topic will help explain how the physical world behaves. Forces explain why things move, stop, change direction and deform.  When these forces balance, they either stay still or move at constant speed (a building or airplane).  This is known as equilibrium and understanding this term, helps prevent structural failure and accidents.  Density explains why ships and oil float and helps us identify substances.  Pressure explains how force spreads over surfaces for example, civil engineers must calculate water pressure to design dams.

  • Turning effects of forces
  • Equilibrium of forces
  • Density and pressure
This topic will explain how energy moves, changes and affects materials.  This is basically how the entire physical world operates.  For example, a rollercoaster will convert potential energy into kinetic energy.  Power stations convert energy into electricity.  Without conservation of energy, engineering would be impossible as we wouldn’t be able to calculate outcomes reliably. Gravitational potential energy is energy stored due to height.  For example, the higher an object is will mean that there is more energy stored.  Therefore, impact will be greater when the object falls. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion.  It explains car crashes, determines stopping distances and is essential in aerospace and vehicle design.

  • Energy conservation
  • Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy
A solid will stretch or compress when a force is applied.  For example, buildings sway, springs compress and muscles stretch.  Calculations for stress and strain can help engineers determine how strong a bolt must be or how much weight a beam can carry.

  • Stress and strain
  • Elastic and plastic behaviour
Transverse and longitudinal are known as progressive waves. These waves transfer energy without transferring matter.  For example, when you look at the ocean, the water mostly stays in the same place but the energy moves across the ocean. An electromagnetic wave is a wave made from electric and magnetic fields.  It carries energy travelling at the speed of light.  The electromagnetic spectrum is all different types of electromagnetic waves arranged by wavelength or frequency.  Modern technology depends entirely on understanding the EM spectrum. Polarisation restricts vibrations to one direction and only works for transverse waves.  It reduces glare in sunglasses, is used in photography and helps engineers to control and filter light.

  • Progressive waves
  • Transverse and longitudinal waves
  • Doppler effect for sound waves
  • Electromagnetic spectrum
  • Polarisation
Superposition is when two or more waves meet, the total displacement at any point is the sum of their displacements.  Waves can add together or cancel each other out.  After they pass through each other, they continue as normal.

  • Stationary waves
  • Diffraction
  • Interference
  • Diffraction gratings
Electric current is the flow of electrons through a conductor.  Potential difference is the energy per unit charge and power is the rate of energy transfer. Resistance is how hard it is for the current to flow and resistivity is the property of material affecting resistance.

  • Electric current
  • Potential difference and power
  • Resistance and resistivity
D.C. circuits are circuits with direct current where electrons flow one way.

  • Practical circuits
  • Kirchhoff’s laws
  • Potential dividers
Atoms are everywhere and everything around you is made from atoms.  Radiation is energy or particles emitted from unstable nuclei.  Radiation is used in radiotherapy, PET scans, smoke detectors and archaeology. Fundamental particles goes deeper into atoms.  Inside protons and neutrons are quarks.  Electrons are fundamental particles called leptons.  There are also bosons that carry forces too.

  • Atoms, nuclei and radiation
  • Fundamental particles

IA2 Modules

Circular motion explains why things orbit, spin and turn instead of flying off. Examples include planets orbiting the sun, cars going around bends and a washing machine spinning.  Without centripetal acceleration, satellites would drift into space and the earth wouldn’t orbit the sun.

  • Kinematics of uniform circular motion
  • Centripetal acceleration
Gravitational field is a region around a mass where another mass feels a gravitational force.  The earth creates a gravitational field that pulls objects downward.

  • Gravitational field
  • Gravitational force between point masses
  • Gravitational field of a point mass
  • Gravitational potential
Thermal equilibrium is when two objects in contact reach the same temperature.  This means that no further heat will flow between them.  Temperature is measured in Celsius or Kelvin.

  • Thermal equilibrium
  • Temperature scales
  • Specific heat capacity and specific latent heat
A mole is just a counting unit similar to 12 eggs equalling 1 dozen.  Mole is important because it helps us count small particles in a practical way.  Without the mole. Modern chemistry and chemical engineering wouldn’t work.

  • The mole
  • Equation of state
  • Kinetic theory of gases
Thermodynamics explains how energy moves and changes form in real systems. For example, engines, refrigerators and power stations.

  • Internal energy
  • The first law of thermodynamics
Oscillations describe a repeating motion that goes back-and-forth around a central (equilibrium) position.  Examples include a swing or sound.

  • Simple harmonic oscillations
  • Energy in simple harmonic motion
  • Damped and forced oscillations, resonance
An electric field is a region around a charge where another charge experiences a force.  A doesn’t need to touch another charge to affect it.  It creates a field around itself.

  • Electric fields and field lines
  • Uniform electric fields
  • Electric force between point charges Electric field of a point charge
  • Electric potential
Capacitance tells you how much charge can be stored per volt.  A large capacitance stores more charge whereas a small capacitance stores less charge.

  • Capacitors and capacitance
  • Energy stored in a capacitor
  • Discharging a capacitor
A magnetic field is a region where a magnetic force acts on moving charges or magnets.  They explain how motors spin, generators produce electricity and how much of modern technology works.

  • Concept of a magnetic field
  • Force on a current
  • carrying conductor
  • Force on a moving charge
  • Magnetic fields due to currents
  • Electromagnetic induction
An alternating current is a current that continuously changes direction.  Instead of flowing one way like DC (direct current), AC flows forward, then backward, repeatedly.

  • Characteristics of alternating currents
  • Rectification and smoothing
All modern technology relies on quantum physics.  For example, electronics and solar panels rely on the energy of photons and sensors and imaging rely on the photoelectric effect.

  • Energy and momentum of a photon
  • Photoelectric effect
  • Wave-particle duality
  • Energy levels in atoms and line spectra
Nuclear physics explains the energy inside the atom’s nucleus and how it is released.  This is the science behind nuclear power, medicine and understanding the universe.

  • Mass defect and nuclear binding energy
  • Radioactive decay
Medical physics has helped produce tools to save lives and diagnose diseases.  Ultrasound machines use high-frequency waves to produce an image of internal structures and assist with pregnancy, heart imaging or detecting organs.  X-rays use high-energy electromagnetic waves that produce images of bones and internal structures.  X-rays are essential for diagnosing broken bones, dental problems and chest infections.

  • Production and use of ultrasound
  • Production and use of X-rays
  • PET scanning
Physics helps explain the largest scales of the universe.  Standard candles are objects in space with a known intrinsic brightness.  By comparing their known brightness, we can calculate their distance.  Stellar Radii is how we determine the size of stars using brightness and surface temperature.  Hubble’s law will provide the foundation for modern cosmology including the study of dark matter and dark energy.

  • Standard candles
  • Stellar radii
  • Hubble’s law and the Big Bang theory

What can I do with an A Level in Physics?

Students in the past have progressed onto the following degree courses:-

•Mathematics •Physics •Mechanical Engineering •Computer Science •Civil Engineering •Economics •Business

Studying Physics at University gives you all sorts of exciting career options, including:-

•Geophysicist •Healthcare scientist •Higher education lecturer •Radiation protection practitioner •Research scientist (physical sciences) •Scientific laboratory technician •Secondary school teacher •Meteorologist •Structural engineer •Acoustic engineer •Product/process development scientist •Systems developer •Technical author

We recommend students check the university websites to find the most up-to-date entry requirements for courses they wish to study.

Previous Knowledge Required

There are no previous entry requirements for this course, however students are expected to have a reasonable standard of literacy. 

You have the freedom to start the course at any time and continue your studies at your own pace for a period of up to 24 months from initial registration with the full support of your Tutor.

Enrolment Fees

Our Enrolment fee for this course is noted at the top of this page where you can enrol directly onto the course.  This fee includes access to your course including tutor support for 2 years.

Our enrolment fee includes:

  • All study materials covering the full specification.
  • Full support where you can also message your tutor as many times as you need to.
  • Access to our online Library with a full range of eBooks.
  • Help completing university applications including UCAS and The Common Application.
  • Reference and predicted grade for University.
  • Assignment marking and feedback
  • Marked and graded practise examination papers
  • Eligibility for a Totum Card if you reside within the UK
  • Fast Track A Level if required and flexible learning from home 24/7.

The only other fee you will need to pay is for your exams which is due approximately six months prior and this will be paid directly to the exam centre.

Assessments

Students will be required to arrange and pay for their examinations/practicals at CIE approved centre. We can provide an extensive list of these centres for you.

A Level Exams
There are five exams for the full A Level qualification.

Paper 1 Paper 1 Paper 1 Exam Paper 4 Paper 1 A Level Qualification

AS Level Exams
There are three exams for the AS Level qualification.

Paper 1 Paper 1 Paper 1 IAS Exams

Practical Assessment

Experimental skills will be assessed in Paper 3 and Paper 5.

In each of these papers, the questions may be based on Physics not included in the syllabus content, but students will be assessed on their practical skills rather than their knowledge of theory.  Throughout the course, you will cover practical scenarios in preparation for your exams. Where appropriate, students will be told exactly what to do and how to do it. Students will need to ensure that their chosen centre are able to provide them with the practical examinations.

For more information regarding practical examinations, please click here.

A Level Physics Online Course Outcome

On successful completion of all your exams, you will be awarded one of the following qualifications:

International A Level in Physics with CIE | International AS Level in Physics with CIE

Click here for more information on CIE and to be taken to their official website

Still unsure? Look through our FAQs

Some learners may find Physics hard initially due to the maths involved, however if you have previously studied GCSE Maths, this will have covered everything you need to know in order to progress to A Level Physics.  The course is logical and therefore if you understand the principles and practise solutions using exam-style questions, you should be able to grasp the subject.

You will not be required to purchase any books with this course.  We automatically include logins to our online e-Library which includes access to following eBook(s):

Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics – David Sang (Cambridge University Press) 

Not see the book you are looking for? Ask us and we will let you know if we have it!

Good subject combinations to take alongside Physics include:

A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics – If you are considering a degree in physics, maths compliments physics well and if you are considering universities such as Oxford or Manchester, they often expect Further Mathematics too.

A Level Computer Science – If you are considering a computer science degree, universities would normally expect to see A Level computer science and maths alongside physics.

Cambridge International A Level Physics can be taken outside the UK as well as within the UK.  Cambridge provide global recognition for their A Level qualifications and are recognised by universities.

At the end of this course you will receive an Internationally recognised qualification which will allow you to apply a university situated anywhere in the world.

AS and A levels are standalone qualifications, however the Full A Level carries more UCAS points than the AS Level.  It also requires more study hours as follows:

  • AS Level = 180 hours
  • A Level = 360 hours
You will see the difference in the content above under ‘syllabus’ but you can also refer to our article on ‘what is as level’ for more information.

You will receive access and support for two years, however you can complete it much sooner if you want to.  Exams for this subject fall in May/June and October/November each year and therefore you are able to choose which exam sitting you want to apply for.  We have more information on exam timetables here.

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