Edexcel International Advanced Level in Physics
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INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED LEVEL EDEXCEL INTERNATIONAL GCSE MATHS A (9-1) PHYSICSECONOMICS SPECIFICATIONSPECIFICATION Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary in Physics (XPH11) Edexcel International GCSE in Economics (9-1) (4ET0) Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Physics (YPH11) FirstFirst teaching examination September June 2018 First examination from January 2019 First certifi cation from August 2019 (International Advanced Subsidiary) and August 2020 (International Advanced Level) Issue 2 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 qualification website at qualifications.pearson.com. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our contact us page at qualifications.pearson.com/contactus About Pearson Pearson is the world's leading learning company, with 35,000 employees in more than 70 countries working to help people of all ages to make measurable progress in their lives through learning. 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 qualifications.pearson.com 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 material 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. (Material may include textbooks, journals, magazines and other publications and websites.) 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 2018 Summary of Pearson Edexcel Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level in Physics specification Issue 2 changes Summary of changes made between previous issue and this current Page issue number Content item 67 has been amended from: 23 understand how the distribution of current in a circuit is a consequence of charge conservation to: (a) understand how the distribution of current in a circuit is a consequence of charge conservation (b) understand how the distribution of potential differences in a circuit is a consequence of energy conservation If you need further information on these changes or what they mean, contact us via our website at: qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/contact-us.html Contents About this specification 2 Why choose Edexcel qualifications? 4 Why choose Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level qualifications in Physics? 5 Supporting you in planning and implementing these qualifications 6 Qualification at a glance 7 Physics content 13 Unit 1: Mechanics and Materials 15 Unit 2: Waves and Electricity 20 Unit 3: Practical Skills in Physics I 25 Unit 4: Further Mechanics, Fields and Particles 28 Unit 5: Thermodynamics, Radiation, Oscillations and Cosmology 33 Unit 6: Practical Skills in Physics II 39 Assessment information 42 Administration and general information 46 Entries, resitting of units 46 Access arrangements, reasonable adjustments, special consideration and malpractice 46 Awarding and reporting 48 Student recruitment and progression 50 Appendices 51 Appendix 1: Codes 52 Appendix 2: Pearson World Class Qualification design principles 53 Appendix 3: Transferable skills 55 Appendix 4: Level 3 Extended Project qualification 57 Appendix 5: Glossary 59 Appendix 6: Mathematical skills and exemplifications 60 Appendix 7: Equations 66 Appendix 8: Data sheet 73 Appendix 9: Taxonomy 74 Appendix 10: Uncertainties and practical work 76 Appendix 11: Use of calculators 83 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. 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 a 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. 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. Specification updates This specification is Issue 1 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 qualifications.pearson.com 2 Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level in Physics – Specification – Issue 2 – January 2018 © Pearson Education Limited 2018 Using this specification This specification gives teachers guidance and encourages 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. 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. 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 – 3 Specification – Issue 2 – January 2018 © Pearson Education Limited 2018 Why choose 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 3.4 million students studying our academic and vocational qualifications worldwide, we offer internationally recognised qualifications to schools, colleges and employers globally. Pearson is recognised as the world’s largest education company, allowing us to drive innovation and provide comprehensive support for Edexcel students to acquire the knowledge and skills they need for progression in study, work and life. A heritage you can trust The background to Pearson becoming the UK’s largest awarding organisation began in 1836, when a royal charter gave the University of London its first powers to conduct exams and confer degrees on its students. Edexcel qualifications build on experience of over 150 years in international education, and have a firm academic foundation, built on the traditions and rigour associated with Britain’s educational system. To find out more about our Edexcel heritage please visit our website: qualifications.pearson.com/en/about-us/about-pearson/our-history Results you can trust Pearson’s leading online marking technology has been shown to produce exceptionally