Topical revision checklist for AQA UK GCE A Level Physics — specification 7408. Track confidence for each topic and sub-topic; aligned to 2026 specification headings. Rate your confidence (1–5) for each specification topic.
| Topic | Sub-topic | Resources | Confidence (1–5) | Last reviewed | Next review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Measurements and their errors | SI base units; derived units | ||||
| 1. Measurements and their errors | Prefixes and standard form | ||||
| 1. Measurements and their errors | Random and systematic errors; precision and accuracy | ||||
| 1. Measurements and their errors | Uncertainty in measurements; combining uncertainties | ||||
| 1. Measurements and their errors | Significant figures in calculations | ||||
| 1. Measurements and their errors | Estimation of physical quantities | ||||
| 2. Particles and radiation | Electromagnetic force; interactions | ||||
| 2. Particles and radiation | Hadrons, leptons, baryon number, lepton number | ||||
| 2. Particles and radiation | Particles and antiparticles; conservation laws | ||||
| 2. Particles and radiation | Photoelectric effect: Einstein’s equation; threshold frequency | ||||
| 2. Particles and radiation | Electron energy levels; emission spectra | ||||
| 2. Particles and radiation | The nucleus; strong nuclear force | ||||
| 2. Particles and radiation | Alpha, beta, gamma decay; decay equations | ||||
| 2. Particles and radiation | Activity, half-life, decay constant | ||||
| 2. Particles and radiation | Nuclear fission and fusion; binding energy per nucleon | ||||
| 3. Waves | Progressive waves: phase, path difference, c = fλ | ||||
| 3. Waves | Longitudinal and transverse | ||||
| 3. Waves | Stationary waves: nodes, antinodes, harmonics | ||||
| 3. Waves | Refraction: refractive index; critical angle and TIR | ||||
| 3. Waves | Fibre optics: multimode and monomode (introductory) | ||||
| 3. Waves | Superposition; Young double-slit; coherence | ||||
| 3. Waves | Interference: path difference, fringe spacing | ||||
| 3. Waves | Diffraction gratings; single-slit diffraction | ||||
| 4. Mechanics and materials | Vectors: resolving, adding components | ||||
| 4. Mechanics and materials | Moments; couples; equilibrium of bodies | ||||
| 4. Mechanics and materials | Displacement, velocity, acceleration; SUVAT | ||||
| 4. Mechanics and materials | Projectile motion | ||||
| 4. Mechanics and materials | Newton’s laws; free-body diagrams | ||||
| 4. Mechanics and materials | Momentum; conservation; impulse | ||||
| 4. Mechanics and materials | Work, energy, power; conservation of energy | ||||
| 4. Mechanics and materials | Elastic deformation: Hooke’s law; elastic potential energy | ||||
| 4. Mechanics and materials | Stress, strain, Young modulus; brittle vs ductile | ||||
| 5. Electricity | Current, drift velocity, I = nAve | ||||
| 5. Electricity | Potential difference; emf and internal resistance | ||||
| 5. Electricity | Resistance; Ohm’s law; resistivity ρ = RA/L | ||||
| 5. Electricity | I–V for metals, semiconductors, diode | ||||
| 5. Electricity | Series and parallel circuits | ||||
| 5. Electricity | Kirchhoff’s laws; potential dividers | ||||
| 5. Electricity | Power P = VI; energy in circuits | ||||
| 6. Further mechanics and thermal physics | Circular motion: angular speed, centripetal force | ||||
| 6. Further mechanics and thermal physics | Simple harmonic motion: displacement, velocity, acceleration | ||||
| 6. Further mechanics and thermal physics | SHM energy: kinetic and potential | ||||
| 6. Further mechanics and thermal physics | Forced oscillations; resonance; damping | ||||
| 6. Further mechanics and thermal physics | Thermal properties: specific heat capacity, latent heat | ||||
| 6. Further mechanics and thermal physics | Ideal gas equation pV = nRT; mole and Boltzmann constant | ||||
| 6. Further mechanics and thermal physics | Kinetic theory model; mean square speed | ||||
| 7. Fields and their consequences | Gravitational fields: g, Newton’s law, gravitational potential | ||||
| 7. Fields and their consequences | Orbits; Kepler’s laws (introductory) | ||||
| 7. Fields and their consequences | Electric fields: Coulomb’s law, field lines | ||||
| 7. Fields and their consequences | Electric potential; equipotentials | ||||
| 7. Fields and their consequences | Capacitors: Q = CV, energy stored, charging/discharging | ||||
| 7. Fields and their consequences | Magnetic fields: forces on moving charges and currents | ||||
| 7. Fields and their consequences | Electromagnetic induction: Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws | ||||
| 7. Fields and their consequences | Alternating current: rms, transformers | ||||
| 8. Nuclear physics | Rutherford scattering; nuclear radius | ||||
| 8. Nuclear physics | Mass defect and binding energy | ||||
| 8. Nuclear physics | Radioactive decay: exponential law; half-life | ||||
| 8. Nuclear physics | Nuclear instability; decay chains | ||||
| 8. Nuclear physics | Fission reactors: moderation, control, waste | ||||
| 8. Nuclear physics | Fusion: conditions and challenges | ||||
| 9. Optional topic (e.g. Astrophysics) | Telescopes: refracting vs reflecting; resolving power | ||||
| 9. Optional topic (e.g. Astrophysics) | Classification of stars: HR diagram | ||||
| 9. Optional topic (e.g. Astrophysics) | Stellar evolution: main sequence, red giant, white dwarf | ||||
| 9. Optional topic (e.g. Astrophysics) | Supernovae; neutron stars; black holes (introductory) | ||||
| 9. Optional topic (e.g. Astrophysics) | Hubble’s law; red-shift; cosmological model | ||||
| 9. Optional topic (e.g. Astrophysics) | Big Bang; cosmological microwave background (introductory) |
Use with our Past Paper Finder for exam practice. Always cross-check topic coverage with your school’s route and the official board specification.