A-Level Physics Complete Revision Guide

A-Level Physics is one of the most challenging and rewarding qualifications you can pursue. Whether you’re studying Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics (9702) or Edexcel International Advanced Level Physics, this comprehensive revision guide covers every major topic you need to master for exam success in 2026.

This guide provides an overview of all key topics, essential formulas, syllabus comparisons, and proven exam techniques. For deeper dives into specific areas, we’ll point you to our detailed topic guides along the way.

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1. Mechanics

Mechanics forms the foundation of A-Level Physics and is heavily tested in both AS and A2 papers.

Key Concepts

• Kinematics: Displacement, velocity, acceleration, and the equations of motion (SUVAT equations)
• Forces and Newton’s Laws: Free body diagrams, resultant forces, equilibrium conditions
• Moments and Torques: Principle of moments, couples, centre of gravity
• Work, Energy, and Power: Work done = Fd cos θ, kinetic energy = ½mv², gravitational PE = mgh, power = Fv
• Momentum and Collisions: Conservation of linear momentum, elastic vs inelastic collisions, impulse = FΔt

Essential Formulas

Quantity	Formula
Displacement	s = ut + ½at²
Final velocity	v² = u² + 2as
Kinetic energy	Eₖ = ½mv²
Momentum	p = mv
Work done	W = Fd cos θ
Power	P = W/t = Fv

Exam Tips for Mechanics

• Always draw free body diagrams before solving force problems
• State the direction you’ve chosen as positive when using SUVAT equations
• In momentum problems, clearly state the system is isolated and momentum is conserved

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2. Materials

Understanding how materials behave under stress is tested at AS level in most specifications.

Key Concepts

• Density and Pressure: ρ = m/V, P = F/A, hydrostatic pressure P = ρgh
• Springs and Hooke’s Law: F = kx (within the limit of proportionality), elastic potential energy = ½kx²
• Stress, Strain, and Young’s Modulus: Stress = F/A, Strain = ΔL/L, Young’s Modulus E = stress/strain
• Material Properties: Elastic, plastic, brittle, ductile, polymeric behaviour
• Stress-Strain Curves: Interpreting graphs for different materials, identifying yield point, UTS, and fracture point

Essential Formulas

Quantity	Formula
Density	ρ = m/V
Pressure	P = F/A
Young’s Modulus	E = σ/ε = (F/A)/(ΔL/L)
Elastic PE	Eₑ = ½kx² = ½Fx

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3. Waves

Waves is a major topic spanning both AS and A2 content. For a detailed breakdown, see our A-Level Physics Waves Explained: Complete Concept Guide.

Key Concepts

• Wave Properties: Wavelength, frequency, amplitude, period, wave speed (v = fλ)
• Transverse and Longitudinal Waves: Differences, examples, displacement-distance and displacement-time graphs
• Superposition and Interference: Constructive and destructive interference, path difference, coherence
• Stationary Waves: Nodes, antinodes, harmonics on strings and in pipes
• Diffraction and Gratings: Single slit diffraction, diffraction grating equation (d sin θ = nλ)
• Electromagnetic Spectrum: Properties, uses, and dangers of different regions
• Sound and Light: Doppler effect (A2), refraction, total internal reflection, polarisation

Essential Formulas

Quantity	Formula
Wave speed	v = fλ
Refractive index	n = c/v = sin i / sin r
Diffraction grating	d sin θ = nλ
Double slit	λ = ax/D
Doppler effect	f’ = fv/(v ± vₛ)

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4. Electricity

Electricity is examined at AS level and extended into fields at A2.

Key Concepts

• Current, Voltage, and Resistance: I = Q/t, V = W/Q, R = V/I
• Resistivity: R = ρL/A
• Kirchhoff’s Laws: Conservation of charge (junction rule) and conservation of energy (loop rule)
• Series and Parallel Circuits: Total resistance calculations, current and voltage distribution
• Potential Dividers: Output voltage calculations, sensor circuits using LDRs and thermistors
• EMF and Internal Resistance: ε = I(R + r), terminal PD vs EMF
• Power: P = IV = I²R = V²/R

Essential Formulas

Quantity	Formula
Current	I = Q/t
Resistance	R = V/I
Resistivity	R = ρL/A
Power	P = IV = I²R = V²/R
EMF	ε = I(R + r)
Series resistance	Rₜ = R₁ + R₂ + …
Parallel resistance	1/Rₜ = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + …

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5. Circular Motion

Circular motion bridges AS mechanics with A2 gravitational and magnetic fields.

Key Concepts

• Angular Velocity: ω = 2π/T = 2πf, v = rω
• Centripetal Acceleration: a = v²/r = rω²
• Centripetal Force: F = mv²/r = mrω²
• Applications: Banked curves, vertical loops, conical pendulums, satellites

Essential Formulas

Quantity	Formula
Angular velocity	ω = 2π/T
Linear speed	v = rω
Centripetal acceleration	a = v²/r
Centripetal force	F = mv²/r

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6. Gravitational Fields

Key Concepts

• Newton’s Law of Gravitation: F = GMm/r²
• Gravitational Field Strength: g = GM/r² (radial field), uniform field near Earth’s surface
• Gravitational Potential: φ = -GM/r, potential energy Eₚ = -GMm/r
• Orbital Motion: Deriving orbital speed, period, geostationary orbits
• Escape Velocity: v = √(2GM/r)

Essential Formulas

Quantity	Formula
Gravitational force	F = GMm/r²
Field strength	g = GM/r²
Gravitational potential	φ = -GM/r
Orbital speed	v = √(GM/r)
Orbital period	T² = (4π²/GM)r³

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7. Electric Fields

Key Concepts

• Coulomb’s Law: F = kQ₁Q₂/r² where k = 1/(4πε₀)
• Electric Field Strength: E = F/Q, E = V/d (uniform), E = kQ/r² (radial)
• Electric Potential: V = kQ/r, potential energy Eₚ = kQ₁Q₂/r
• Capacitance: C = Q/V, energy stored = ½CV² = ½QV = ½Q²/C
• Capacitor Charge/Discharge: Exponential decay, time constant τ = RC

Essential Formulas

Quantity	Formula
Coulomb’s Law	F = Q₁Q₂/(4πε₀r²)
Field strength (uniform)	E = V/d
Capacitance	C = Q/V
Energy stored	E = ½CV²
Time constant	τ = RC
Discharge	Q = Q₀e^(-t/RC)

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8. Magnetic Fields

Key Concepts

• Magnetic Flux Density: Force on a current-carrying conductor F = BIL sin θ
• Force on a Moving Charge: F = BQv sin θ
• Electromagnetic Induction: Faraday’s law, Lenz’s law
• Magnetic Flux and Flux Linkage: Φ = BA cos θ, EMF = -NdΦ/dt
• Transformers: Vₛ/Vₚ = Nₛ/Nₚ, efficiency considerations
• Alternating Current: RMS values, Iᵣₘₛ = I₀/√2

Essential Formulas

Quantity	Formula
Force on conductor	F = BIL sin θ
Force on charge	F = BQv sin θ
Induced EMF	ε = -NdΦ/dt
Transformer ratio	Vₛ/Vₚ = Nₛ/Nₚ
RMS current	Iᵣₘₛ = I₀/√2

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9. Nuclear Physics

Key Concepts

• Radioactive Decay: Alpha, beta (β⁻ and β⁺), gamma — properties and penetrating power
• Nuclear Equations: Conservation of mass number and atomic number
• Half-Life and Decay Constant: N = N₀e^(-λt), λ = ln2/t½
• Activity: A = λN = A₀e^(-λt)
• Mass-Energy Equivalence: E = mc², mass defect, binding energy
• Binding Energy per Nucleon: Curve interpretation, fusion vs fission
• Nuclear Fission and Fusion: Chain reactions, conditions for fusion

Essential Formulas

Quantity	Formula
Decay law	N = N₀e^(-λt)
Half-life	t½ = ln2/λ
Activity	A = λN
Mass-energy	E = mc²
Binding energy	BE = Δm × c²

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10. Particle Physics (Edexcel) / Quantum Physics

Key Concepts

• Photoelectric Effect: E = hf, KEₘₐₓ = hf - φ, threshold frequency
• Wave-Particle Duality: de Broglie wavelength λ = h/p = h/(mv)
• Energy Levels: Atomic spectra, photon emission/absorption, E = hf = hc/λ
• Standard Model (Edexcel emphasis): Quarks, leptons, bosons, conservation laws
• Particle Interactions: Feynman diagrams, baryon number, lepton number, strangeness

Essential Formulas

Quantity	Formula
Photon energy	E = hf = hc/λ
Photoelectric equation	KEₘₐₓ = hf - φ
de Broglie wavelength	λ = h/(mv)
Energy levels	ΔE = hf

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Cambridge vs Edexcel: Key Syllabus Differences

Understanding the differences between exam boards helps you focus your revision effectively.

Aspect	Cambridge (9702)	Edexcel IAL
Structure	5 papers (AS: P1 MCQ + P2 Structured; A2: P4 Structured + P5 Planning/Analysis; P3 Practical)	6 units (3 AS + 3 A2), each with its own paper
Practical Assessment	Paper 3 (lab-based) + Paper 5 (planning/analysis)	Practical skills examined in written papers
Particle Physics	Minimal coverage	Full Standard Model, quarks, Feynman diagrams
Astrophysics	Not in main syllabus	Optional topic in some specifications
Maths Demand	High — calculus-based derivations expected at A2	High — but more structured question formats
Data Analysis	Paper 5 specifically tests planning and data analysis	Integrated into unit papers

Study Strategy by Board

Cambridge students should prioritise:

• Practical skills (Paper 3 and Paper 5 are unique assessment types)
• Data analysis and graph plotting
• Derivations and “show that” questions

Edexcel students should focus on:

• Particle physics and the Standard Model
• Multiple-choice technique (Paper 1 and Paper 4)
• Applying physics to real-world contexts

For common pitfalls across both boards, make sure you review our articles on common mistakes in Cambridge A-Level Physics and Edexcel A-Level Physics.

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Exam Technique for Each Paper Type

Multiple Choice Papers

• Eliminate obviously wrong answers first
• Watch for distractors that use common misconceptions
• If stuck, estimate using dimensional analysis or order of magnitude
• Never leave a question blank

Structured/Short Answer Papers

• Show all working — marks are awarded for method even if the final answer is wrong
• Include units in every final answer
• Use the mark allocation as a guide: 3 marks usually means 3 distinct steps
• Draw diagrams where they help explain your reasoning
• Define technical terms precisely when asked

Practical and Planning Papers (Cambridge)

• For Paper 3: Read the instructions carefully, tabulate results neatly, plot graphs with appropriate scales
• For Paper 5: Structure your plan logically — what to measure, how to measure it, how to analyse results
• Always discuss sources of uncertainty and how to minimise them
• Suggest realistic improvements, not just “repeat the experiment”

Extended Response Questions

• Plan your answer before writing
• Use correct physics terminology throughout
• Link cause and effect clearly with connecting phrases
• Include relevant equations and explain what each symbol represents

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Revision Strategies for A-Level Physics

1. Start with the formula sheet — Ensure you understand every equation, what each symbol means, and when to apply it
2. Practice past papers — Work through at least 5 years of past papers under timed conditions
3. Create topic summaries — Condense each topic onto one side of A4
4. Focus on weak areas — Use your mock exam results to identify topics that need more work
5. Study the examiner reports — These reveal the most common mistakes students make
6. Use active recall — Test yourself rather than passively re-reading notes

Stay informed about what’s likely to appear this year by reviewing the A-Level Physics exam trends for 2026 and the top 10 most tested A-Level Physics topics.

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