AQA A-Level Physics 7408: Command Words and Keywords
AQA A-level Physics 7408: Command words and keywords
AQA A-level Physics (7408) uses the standard AQA Science command words. Show means provide structured evidence to reach a conclusion. Method marks are available for correct working. A-level expects more depth—waves, quantum, fields.
Command words
| Command word | What to do | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| State | Short answer | Overwriting |
| Define | Precise meaning (often with equation) | Vague |
| Describe | What happens; no “why” | Adding explanation |
| Explain | Why/how; use “because” | Only describing |
| Suggest | Apply to new context | Textbook recall |
| Calculate | Show working; formula; units | Wrong formula |
| Show | Provide structured evidence to reach conclusion | No working |
| Determine | Use given data to obtain answer | Guess |
| Draw | Diagram; correct symbols | Wrong symbols |
| Plot | Graph from data | Wrong scale |
| Predict | What will happen | Unsupported |
| Compare | Similarities and differences | Listing separately |
| Evaluate | Judge; conclude with evidence | No conclusion |
Keywords
| Term | Use correctly | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Velocity | Vector | Speed |
| Weight | mg; N | Mass (kg) |
| Mass | kg | Weight (N) |
| Impulse | Change in momentum | ”Force” |
| Centripetal force | Towards centre; mv²/r | ”Outward” |
| Phase difference | Radians or degrees | ”Out of sync” |
| Coherence | Constant phase difference | ”Same” |
| Photoelectric effect | Electrons by photons | ”Light knocks” |
| Photon | Quantum of EM radiation | ”Particle” |
| Potential difference | Work per unit charge | ”Voltage” |
| e.m.f. | Energy per unit charge from source | Pd |
| Capacitance | C = Q/V | ”Stores charge” |
| Faraday’s law | Induced e.m.f. ∝ rate of flux change | ”Flux change” |
| Lenz’s law | Induced current opposes change | ”Opposes” |
| Half-life | Time for half to decay | ”Half the time” |
Tips for Physics 7408
- Show working for “Show that” and Calculate questions
- Learn formulae with correct symbols and units
- Suggest—apply to the specific scenario
- Past papers + mark schemes show acceptable wording
How Tutopiya helps
Tutopiya supports AQA A-level Physics. Explore A-level resources or book a free trial.
Based on AQA A-level Physics 7408 specification. OxfordAQA International A-level Physics uses similar approaches.
Written by
Tutopiya Team
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