Sixth Form Subject Guide 2019-2021 REDRAFTED Sixth Form Choices Guide | Page 61

Internal assessment – worth 25% IB Physics (Higher and Standard Level) HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: Mr D Saker ([email protected]) Entry Requirements Grade 7 in Physics GCSE or 7:7 in Combined Science Where next? A physics qualification opens the doors to all sorts of jobs and courses. All the technology that surrounds us is based on the principles of physics, so if you are considering working in any area related to technology from music to medicine, or lasers to law – studying physics is an essential first step. Do you want to investigate the limits of space, the beginning of time and everything in between? How about understanding how the technology around you works? Want to save the planet or maybe just help people get better when they are ill? Or maybe you don’t care about any of this and just want to earn lots of money? Well it doesn’t really matter. Whatever you do the knowledge and skills you gain by studying physics will be useful. Physics is more than a subject – it trains your brain to think beyond boundaries. “There are millions of students in the world, but to get a job you have to stand out from the crowd. Physics will help to give you that edge; people are always impressed by a qualification in physics.” http://www.futuremorph.org/14-16/next-steps/follow-your-favourite- subject/careers-from-physics WHAT WILL I STUDY? Standard level topics and options Measurements and uncertainties, Mechanics, Rotational mechanics (option), Thermal physics, Thermodynamics (option), Energy production, Circular motion and gravitation, Oscillations and Waves, Electricity and magnetism, Atomic and nuclear, Global energy transfer. Higher level topics and options SHM and Waves AHL, Resonance (HL option), Fields (AHL), Electricity and magnetism (core + AHL), Atomic, nuclear and particle physics (core + AHL), Fluids (HL option), Global energy transfer. HOW IS THE COURSE ASSESSED? The IB course will be assessed with terminal exams at the end of two years of studying. There will be a practical assessment throughout the two years in the form of lab reports in both courses. 60