A Level Physics

When you study A Level Physics, you’ll delve into the fundamental theories in physics such as particle interactions, progressive waves, Newton’s law of motion, and the doppler effect to name a few. Depending on the degree you wish to study or the career you aspire to, the A Levels we recommend that you study alongside this course are A Level Maths, A Level Chemistry, and A Level Biology.

Degrees this subject could lead to

The skills and knowledge gained during your A Level Physics studies are ideal for students looking to pursue a degree in engineering, science, computing, geography, and maths.

Future career options

Beyond university, you could consider careers in mechanical, aerodynamic, or civil engineering, energy, and information technology.

A Level physics via distance learning

This A Level Physics course is exactly the same as an A Level you would study at school or college, meaning you will take the same exams and get the same qualification. The only difference is that our courses are designed to be studied from home at your own pace, and you will receive full tutor support via email.

Course Content

AQA qualification code: 7408

Topic 1 Measurements and their errors

• Fundamental (base) units
• Mass, length, time, quantity of matter, and temperature
• Electric current
• SI units
• SI prefixes, values and standard
• Light intensity
• Prefixes
• Unit converting
• Random and systematic errors
• Uncertainty
• Graph using error bars
• Gradient uncertainties
• Straight-line graph
• Magnitude
• Values of physical quantities

Topic 2 Particles and radiation

• Constituents of the atom
• Stable and unstable nuclei
• Particles, antiparticles and photons
• Particle interactions
• Classification of particles
• Quarks and antiquarks
• Applications of conservation laws
• The photoelectric effect
• Collisions of electrons with atoms
• Energy levels and photon emission
• Wave-particle duality

Topic 3 Waves

• Progressive waves
• Longitudinal and transverse waves
• Formation of stationary waves
• Interference
• Diffraction
• Refraction at a plane surface

Topic 4 Mechanics and materials

• Scalars and vectors
• Moments
• Motion along a straight line
• Projectile motion
• Newton’s laws of motion
• Momentum
• Work, energy and power
• Conservation of energy
• Bulk properties of solids
• The Young modulus

Topic 5 Electricity

• Basics of electricity
• Current–voltage characteristics
• Resistivity
• Circuits
• Potential divider
• Electromotive force and internal resistance

Topic 6 Further mechanics and thermal physics

• Circular motion
• Simple harmonic motion (SHM)
• Simple harmonic systems
• Forced vibrations and resonance
• Thermal energy transfer
• Ideal gases
• Molecular kinetic theory model

Topic 7 Fields and their consequences

• Fields
• Newton's law
• Gravitational field strength
• Gravitational potential
• Orbits of planets and satellites
• Electric fields
• Electric field strength
• Electric potential
• Capacitance
• Parallel plate capacitor
• Energy stored by a capacitor
• Capacitor charge and discharge
• Magnetic flux density
• Moving charges in a magnetic field
• Magnetic flux and flux linkage
• Electromagnetic induction
• Alternating currents
• The operation of a transformer

Topic 8 Nuclear physics Rutherford scattering

• α, β and γ radiation
• Radioactive decay
• Nuclear instability
• Nuclear radius
• Mass and energy
• Induced fission
• Safety aspects

Topic 9 Astrophysics

• Astronomical telescope consisting of two converging lenses
• Reflecting telescopes
• Single dish radio telescopes, I-R, U-V and X-ray telescopes
• Advantages of large diameter telescopes
• Classification by luminosity
• Absolute magnitude, M
• Classification by temperature, black-body radiation
• Principles of the use of stellar spectral classes
• The Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram
• Supernovae, neutron stars and black holes
• Doppler effect
• Hubble's law
• Quasars
• Detection of exoplanets