International A Level Physics Specification

1 International ADVANCED Level PHYSICSSPECIFICATIONP earson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary in Physics (XPH11) Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Physics (YPH11) First teaching September 2018 First examination from January 2019 First certification from August 2019 ( International Advanced Subsidiary) and August 2020 ( International Advanced Level ) Issue 3 Edexcel, BTEC and LCCI qualifications Edexcel, BTEC and LCCI qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK s largest awarding body offering academic and vocational qualifications that are globally recognised and benchmarked. For further information, please visit our qualifications website at Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our contact us page at About Pearson Pearson is the world's leading learning company, with 22,500 employees in more than 70 countries working to help people of all ages to make measurable progress in their lives through learning.

2 We put the learner at the centre of everything we do, because wherever learning flourishes, so do people. Find out more about how we can help you and your learners at Acknowledgements This Specification has been produced by Pearson on the basis of consultation with teachers, examiners, consultants and other interested parties. Pearson would like to thank all those who contributed their time and expertise to the Specification s development. References to third party materials made in this Specification are made in good faith. Pearson does not endorse, approve or accept responsibility for the content of materials, which may be subject to change, or any opinions expressed therein. (Materials may include textbooks, journals, magazines and other publications and websites.)

3 All information in this Specification is correct at time of going to publication. ISBN 978 1 446 95778 3 All the material in this publication is copyright Pearson Education Limited 2021 Summary of Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level in Physics Specification Issue 3 changes Summary of changes made between previous issue and this current issue Page number These sentences have been added to ensure that thorough information on assessment criteria is provided: This paper may contain some synoptic questions which require knowledge and understanding from Units 1 and 2. This paper may contain some synoptic questions which require knowledge and understanding from Units 1, 2 and 4. 9, 27 10, 33 Earlier issue shows previous changes.

4 If you need further information on these changes or what they mean, contact us via our website at: Contents About this Specification 1 Why choose Pearson Edexcel qualifications? 3 Why choose Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level qualifications in Physics ? 4 Supporting you in planning and implementing these qualifications 5 Qualification at a glance 6 Physics content 12 Unit 1: Mechanics and Materials 14 Unit 2: Waves and Electricity 19 Unit 3: Practical Skills in Physics I 24 Unit 4: Further Mechanics, Fields and Particles 27 Unit 5: Thermodynamics, Radiation, Oscillations and Cosmology 32 Unit 6: Practical Skills in Physics II 38 Assessment information 41 Administration and general information 45 Entries, resitting of units 45 Access arrangements, reasonable adjustments, special consideration and malpractice 45 Awarding and reporting 47 Student recruitment and progression 49 Appendices 50 Appendix 1: Codes 51 Appendix 2.

5 Pearson World Class Qualification design principles 52 Appendix 3: Transferable skills 54 Appendix 4: Level 3 Extended Project qualification 56 Appendix 5: Glossary 58 Appendix 6: Mathematical skills and exemplifications 59 Appendix 7: Equations 65 Appendix 8: Data sheet 72 Appendix 9: Taxonomy 73 Appendix 10: Uncertainties and practical work 75 Appendix 11: Use of calculators 82 Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level in Physics Specification Issue 3 July 2021 Pearson Education Limited 2021 1 About this Specification The Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary in Physics and the Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Physics are part of a suite of International Advanced Level qualifications offered by Pearson.

6 These qualifications are not accredited or regulated by any UK regulatory body. Key features This Specification includes the following key features: Structure The Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary in Physics and the Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Physics are modular qualifications. The Advanced Subsidiary can be claimed on completion of the International Advanced Subsidiary (IAS) units. The International Advanced Level can be claimed on completion of all the units (IAS and IA2 units). Content The content is relevant for learners who have achieved an International GCSE in Physics and who want to study this subject at a higher Level . The content has been updated from the previous Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary in Physics and the previous Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Physics qualifications.

7 It covers the major topics in Physics , including mechanics, materials, waves, electricity, fields, thermodynamics, radiation, particles, oscillations and cosmology. Assessment Assessment consists of three written papers at IAS Level that are externally assessed. The International A Level consists of three further written papers that are externally assessed. Approach Learners will develop their knowledge and understanding of Physics by applying the concepts in this Specification to a range of different problems that include a variety of contexts. Problems will require the application of mathematical skills. Learners will also develop their practical skills. The Specification includes 16 core practical activities. This is the minimum number of practical activities that learners will carry out; centres are encouraged to enable learners to carry out additional practical activities to further develop practical skills.

8 Specification updates This Specification is Issue 3 and is valid for first teaching from September 2018. If there are any significant changes to the Specification , we will inform centres in writing. Changes will also be posted on our website. For more information please visit Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level in Physics Specification Issue 3 July 2021 Pearson Education Limited 2021 2 Using this Specification This Specification has been designed to give guidance to teachers and encourage effective delivery of these qualifications. The following information will help you get the most out of the content and guidance. Compulsory content: as a minimum, all the items in the content must be taught. The word including in content specifies the detail of what must be covered.

9 Assessments: use a range of material and are not limited to the examples given. Teachers should deliver these qualifications using a good range of examples to support the assessment of the content. Depth and breadth of content: teachers should use the full range of content and all the assessment objectives given in the subject content section. Qualification aims and objectives The aims and objectives of these qualifications are to enable students to develop: essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to each other a deep appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of scientific methods competence and confidence in a variety of practical, mathematical and problem-solving skills their interest in and enthusiasm for the subject, including developing an interest in further study and careers associated with the subject.

10 Qualification abbreviations used in this Specification The following abbreviations appear in this Specification : International Advanced Subsidiary IAS International A2 IA2 (the additional content required for an IAL) International Advanced Level IAL. Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level in Physics Specification Issue 3 July 2021 Pearson Education Limited 2021 3 Why choose Pearson Edexcel qualifications? Pearson the world s largest education company All Edexcel s academic qualifications, including our new International AS and A Level suite, are produced by Pearson, the UK s largest awarding organisation. With over million students studying our academic and vocational qualifications worldwide, we offer internationally recognised qualifications to schools, colleges and employers globally.