WJEC Physics for A2: Student Bk

4 WJEC Physics for A2 Level How to use this book This book has been written to support the second half of the WJEC A level Physics specification. The layout of the book in the first two sections matches that of Units 3 and 4 respectively of the A level Physics specification. It provides you with information which covers the content requirements of the course as well as plenty of practice questions to allow you to keep track of your progress and to prepare successfully for your A level examinations. This book covers all three of the Assessment Objectives (AOs) required for your WJEC course. The AOs are: • AO1, Knowledge and understanding of physics ideas and practice. This comprises 35% of the A level examination including the specified practical activities. • AO2, Applying knowledge and understanding of physics ideas and practice, which comprises 45% of both the AS and A level examinations. • AO3, Analysing, interpreting and evaluating scientific information, ideas and evidence which is 25% of the A level examination. The main sections in the book are the A level Units 3 and 4. • Unit 3 covers Oscillations and nuclei • Unit 4 covers Fields and options There is an additional section on • Mathematical and data-handling skills The Units 3 and 4 sections also include much practical and mathematical material in context. This additional section covers aspects of these skills which are more appropriately dealt with separately. It should be read alongside the Practical skills and Mathematical skills sections of the AS book. Level of coverage This book contains material which is examined only in the A level units of the course. The level of coverage in both the main body of the text and the practice questions includes concepts and treatment designed to stretch and challenge students. Practice questions As well as the self-test questions in the margin of the main text, each section in Units 3 and 4 ends with an exercise of practice questions. The mathematical and data-handling skills chapter also includes both self-test questions and a terminal exercise, which are not tied to specific subject content but are designed to allow you to practise these essential skills. As well as containing material relating to the content of the sections, the exercises in Units 3 and 4 contain data-analysis questions around the specified practical work for the unit. Some questions also relate to the content of more than one unit: the A level examination requires candidates to answer such synoptic questions, which bring together a range of ideas from the physics course. The solutions to these exercises as well as the self-test questions are to be found at the end of the book. Unless the self-test and exercise question asks for the reasoning or working to be shown, the solutions to mathematical questions are generally limited to a final answer rather than showing the way of reaching the answer. Examination style questions Following the section on mathematical skills you will find a set of examination-style questions. As the style and the level of demand of the new A level examinations have changed significantly, these questions are not past-paper questions but have been specially written to reflect the changed demands. Similarly to the exercises at the ends of the sections, parts of these questions have also been written with the synoptic requirements in mind and draw together material from different sections of the specification. The solutions to these questions take the form of model answers which, in many cases, provide more than the minimum answer to achieve full marks. In some cases alternative, equally valid, answers are given. Section B of Unit 3 of the A level examination consists of a structured set of questions based upon a passage, i.e. a comprehension question. Unit 5 of the examination consists of a practical examination. Whilst this book gives important background for your preparation for these units, they are not discussed in examination terms. Some pointers for them are included in the A2 / year 13 Student Resource Guide.