AS Physics AQA (7407)

Course Content

The AS consists of 2 units of content:

AS Physics AQA Unit 1 Core Content

1 Measurements and their errors
2 Particles and radiation
3 Waves

This first AS Physics AQA unit starts the course by covering some basic general concepts that you will take with you and develop through your studies. The first topic is concerned with measurements and the correct use of SI units. We also introduce the concept of error in any given measurement and discover how to calculate this property. We then look at the atom and discover atomic models and the makeup of atoms, and how different forms of radiation are the result of different particle behaviour. Finally, we look at waves including the different types of wave, their properties and how they behave.

AS Physics AQA Unit 2 Core content

4 Mechanics and materials
5 Electricity

The second AS Physics AQA unit consists of more core content and is focused on the transference of energy, forces and momentum and how these three are intrinsically linked. We look and scalars and vectors and different types of motion and the forces and calculations involved with these. The electricity section introduces the basics of electricity, current and voltage, before building on this to describe resistivity, current-voltage characteristics and the different components of a circuit.

Assessments

For the AS Physics AQA assessment you will sit two exam papers:

Paper 1

Content examined
AS Physics AQA Sections 1 – 5

Exam details
Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
70 marks
50% of AS

Questions
70 marks of short and long answer questions split by topic.

Paper 2

Content examined
AS Physics AQA Sections 1 – 5

Exam Details
Written exam: 1hour 30 minutes
70 marks
50% of AS

Questions

Section A: 20 marks of short and long answer questions on practical skills and data analysis
Section B: 20 marks of short and long answer questions from across all areas of AS content
Section C: 30 multiple choice questions

Qualification

The title of this qualification as will appear on certificates is the AQA AS Level Physics (7408)

All the exams must be taken and passed to achieve the full A-Level qualification The AS-level title that will appear on certificates is the AQA AS Physics (Specification number: 7408)

The AQA AS and A-Level are linear courses, which means that you will sit your exams at the end of your AS course (for AS students) or at the end of the full A-Level course (For full A-Level students)

Assessment and Tutor Support

The course is assessed via written exams at the end of one year course of study. However, assignments are included within each unit to assess your progress and provide feedback. These are sent to your tutor and you will receive feedback and guidance on your work. You will have access to online tutor support for the full duration of your course.

Previous Knowledge

There is no requirement to have studied Physics previously, although good use of English language and maths skills (both ideally to level 3 or equivalent) would be expected.

Further Reading

CGP Revision Guide – New A-Level Physics: AQA Year 1 & AS Complete Revision & Practice with Online Edition – 978 1 78294 292 4. AS LEVEL & A-LEVEL

CGP Revision Guide – New A-Level Physics: AQA Year 2 Complete Revision & Practice with Online Edition– 978 1 78294 343 3 FULL A-LEVEL ONLY

Kelly – AQA A Level Physics Year 1 & AS Student Book – 978-0007590223 – Publisher: Collins AS LEVEL & A-LEVEL

Pharaoh & Bishop – AQA A-Level Physics Year 2 Student Book – 978-0007597642– Publisher: Collins FULL A-LEVEL ONLY