Project Description
GCSE Physics Course
Exam board: WJEC
Exam code: 3420QS
Studying GCSE Physics provides the foundations for understanding the material world. Scientific understanding is changing our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all learners should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science
Physics is an interesting subject and provides some of the answers as to how things around us work, both on the microscopic and macroscopic scale. The teaching approach employed encourages students to think for themselves, to hypothesise, to confront misconceptions and to self-evaluate.
GCSE Physics is ideal for those who simply wish to develop a greater understanding of the subject or for those wishing to pursue careers in physics, science, medicine or engineering (to name but a few career paths).
It is a prerequisite for the study of A-level Physics.
In common with all sciences, Physics provides students with opportunities to:
- Acquire and apply skills, knowledge and understanding of how science works and its essential role in society
- Appreciate the unique contribution of science to the objective understanding of the world
- Develop their interest in, and enthusiasm for, science
- Acquire scientific skills, knowledge and understanding necessary for progression to further learning
Curriculum
Unit 1: ELECTRICITY, ENERGY AND Waves
Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes 45% of qualification
This unit includes the following topics:
- 1.1 Electric circuits
- 1.2 Generating electricity
- 1.3 Making use of energy
- 1.4 Domestic electricity
- 1.5 Features of waves
- 1.6 The total internal reflection of waves
- 1.7 Seismic waves
- 1.8 Kinetic theory
- 1.9 Electromagnetism
Unit 2: FORCES, SPACE and RADIOACTIVITY
Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes 45% of qualification
This unit includes the following topics:
- 2.1 Distance, speed and acceleration
- 2.2 Newton’s laws
- 2.3 Work and energy
- 2.4 Further motion concepts
- 2.5 Stars and planets
- 2.6 The Universe
- 2.7 Types of radiation
- 2.8 Half-life
- 2.9 Nuclear decay and nuclear energy
Unit 3: PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT
The practical assessment counts 10% of the qualification.
WJEC will provide two tasks based on the content of GCSE Physics
Each task comprises two sections:
Section A – Obtaining results (6 marks)
Learners will be permitted to work in groups of no more than three, to obtain results from a given experimental method. This will be carried out under a limited level of control i.e. learners may work with others to obtain results but they must provide their own responses to the questions set. Teacher assistance should not normally be required, but may be given if equipment failure occurs.
Section A will be completed in one session of 60 minutes duration.
Section B – Analysing and evaluating results (24 marks)
Learners will be assessed on their ability to analyse and evaluate the data obtained in section A. They will require access to their section A assessment in order to complete this. Section B will be carried out under a high level of control i.e. learners must work individually. This section is to be completed with no teacher feedback or assistance allowed and under formal supervision.
Section B will be completed in one session of 60 minutes duration
Assessment
This is a unitised qualification which allows for an element of staged assessment.
There are two tiers of entry available for this qualification:
Higher Tier – (Grades A* – D)
Foundation Tier – (Grades C – G).
Unit 1: Electricity, Energy and Waves (Higher Tier)- 3420UA
Unit 2: Forces, Space and Radioactivity (Higher Tier) – 3420UB
Unit 3: Practical assessment – 3420U3
Access Arrangements
Access Arrangements allow candidates/learners with special educational needs, disabilities or temporary injuries to access the assessment without changing the demands of the assessment.
For example, readers, scribes and Braille question papers. In this way, Awarding Bodies will comply with the duty of the Equality Act 2010 to make ‘reasonable adjustments’.
We can arrange access arrangements and assess you with our special assessor. The deadline for application to the exam board is the February of the year the learner sits the exams.
To find out more about exam access arrangements click here
Study Options
You can choose from the following study options:
- Online classes only
- Blended learning – Classes at the campus and online
- Distance learning course
FAQs
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