We can't wait to welcome you to Andover College!
We have created this interactive page to give you a sense of what studying Physics at Andover College is like! Scroll down to have a go at the various home-based experiments and activities provided by your lecturer Paul! Also, please make sure you listen to the audio clips on this page as second year Physics students Paul and Jess provide their invaluable experience!
If you have any questions about the course please get in touch, email -AskScienceMaths@sparsholt.ac.uk
Check out the help and support we can provide through our experienced Careers and Health & Wellbeing teams.
Meet your lecturer!
About the Course!
The Physics course at Andover College is for those who are curious, innovative and eager to learn more about the fundamental laws that guide the universe and our experience within!
At Andover College we take a practical approach to the course uncovering fundamental physical relationships through frequent practical investigations. In your first year some of the topics you will cover include, the basics of forces, motion, energy and particles along with exploring the quantum world of wave-particle duality. Following this, in your second year you will look more deeply at the fundamental forces of the universe, gravity, electromagnetism, E = mc2, and the nuclear atom along with the life cycle of the stars!
What next?
Students with a strong A Level performance in Physics are highly valued in both higher education settings, such as university, along with the world of work. After your time at Andover College, and subsequent education, you could progress into a huge variety of careers. These could include, aerospace and engineering, medical physics, theoretical physics and astrophysics. In addition, one third of Physics graduates go onto a career in business and finance aided by their strong communication and numeracy skills!
Trips!
Andover Physics students take regular trips to help further their learning experience. Current second year student Jess mentions the recent department trip to The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory as her particular favourite - take a look at the pictures below! In the images below students are standing on top of a proton synchrotron and the protons are whizzing in circles beneath their feet at 0.98c (98% of the speed of light). The massive amounts of white concrete you see under them are protecting them from high levels of deadly radiation!
Learn more here.
Activity 1: Measuring the speed of light in your microwave!
Your Physics lecturer, Paul, has created a variety of activities for you to try.
Firstly, have a go at this experiment measuring the speed of light using just your microwave and a chocolate bar - hopefully you have some Easter chocolate left!
Activity 1: Measuring the speed of light in your microwave workbooks
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Speed of light in a microwave - Calculator.xlsx.1 Details
Download Speed of light in a microwave - Calculator.xlsx.1 [18.6KB]} -
Measuring the Speed of Light in your Microwave - Worksheet.docx Details
Download Measuring the Speed of Light in your Microwave - Worksheet.docx [3.9MB]} -
Measuring the Speed of Light in your Microwave OUTREACH - Answers.pdf Details
Download Measuring the Speed of Light in your Microwave OUTREACH - Answers.pdf [2.2MB]}
Activity 2: Scale of the Universe!
Take a look at the Scale of the Universe web page to learn more about your place in the cosmos - once you have done this download the workbook below to take the online quiz and test your knowledge on scaling objects in the universe!
Scale of the Universe available: here.
Activity 2: Scale of the Universe workbooks
Activity 3: Using Hair to measure acceleration due to gravity!
Have a go at this hair-raising experiment that will allow you to measure the time period of a swinging pendulum alongside calculating a value for its acceleration.
Activity 3: Using Hair to measure acceleration workbooks
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Using hair to measure acceleration due to gravity - Worksheet.docx Details
Download Using hair to measure acceleration due to gravity - Worksheet.docx [2.3MB]} -
Using hair to measure acceleration due to gravity - Answers.pdf Details
Download Using hair to measure acceleration due to gravity - Answers.pdf [1.1MB]}
New: Activity 4 Exploring the Solar System!
Your lecturer Paul has developed an interactive session exploring the solar system and orbits. Download the workbook below and take a look at the My Solar System info graphic here.
Exploring the Solar System and Orbits Workbook
Transition Activities
Moving from GCSE Science to A Level Science can be a daunting leap, take a look at this workbook to help prepare you for studying A Level Physics at Andover College.
Physics Transition Pack
Additional Resources
Interested in learning more about the various subjects you will study as a Physics student at Andover College? Please take a look at the resources available below.
Why study Physics? Here.
The Map of Physics: Everything we know about physics - and a few things we don't - in a simple map. Here.
Related: The Map of Mathematics: The entire field of mathematics summarised in a single map! This shows how pure mathematics and applied mathematics relate to each other and all of the sub-topics they are made from. Here.
Why do I study Physics? Here.
What is Physics? Here.
Make sure you keep up-to-date with the developments with the International Space Station. You can see a live feed here!
The Open University has a variety of free online courses available in an array of different subjects. Take a look at the catalogue here and explore the different course topics available.
Our Courses:
A Level in Physics (2 Years)
Did you know!
Due to the effect of Thermal Expansion, the Eiffel Tower is up to 15 cm taller in summer!
The most powerful lasers are made with Neodymium-doped Yttrium crystals. In a fraction of a second, they produce more power than the whole United States!
There is enough fuel in a full tank of a jumbo jet to drive an average car around the world four times!
If all the LEGO bricks ever manufactured were placed on top of one another, they would make a tower ten times as high as the distance to the Moon!
A medium-sized cumulus cloud weighs about the same as 80 elephants!
Sources - Here
Careers Guidance
Our careers guidance aims to expand the horizons of all students enabling you to make informed career decisions in order to progress both during and after college.
Carol is our dedicated Careers Advisor for Andover College!
We also have our Sun Progression Mentor Anna!
Anna works alongside the Southern Universities Network (SUN) to help students recognise the routes of progression available to them, and to continue their journey in education!
We recently launched the new Careers Hub located in the College library so come and say hello to Carol and Anna!
Student wellbeing and support
At Andover College we understand that starting college in these uncertain times can be daunting and we aim to make this process as simple as possible.
We have a dedicated team that provide our students with any additional support they need including;
- Counselling
- Carer support
- Childcare support
- Confidential one-to-one services
We also have at the college Romeo our therapy dog! Romeo is part of the continued effort from Andover College to consistently improve on and add to wellbeing provision for students. Romeo is based on campus with his owner throughout term.
Research has shown that students are significantly less stressed and anxious, and even have increased happiness and energy, immediately following spending time in a drop-in session with a dog present.
Social Media
We love to post about all our students on our platforms including their achievements, trips and excellent work - take a look at some of the highlights below and make sure you follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!