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AQA A-level Physics (7408) revision

Everything here is free and covers AQA 7408: illustrated notes for every topic, original exam-style questions with mark schemes, the practicals, flashcards and printable workbooks. The explanations are written once and shared by every board; this page is where you find out exactly which of them AQA asks you for.

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Every point of the AQA outline, in the board's own order, linked to the lesson that covers it. 147 of 147 points map onto the library; anything that does not is marked rather than hidden.

What that number is: a count of statements this library teaches somewhere. It is not a depth audit, so a mapped row means the topic is here and not that it is covered to the length the paper may demand. Where you find a row thinner than your exam needs, tell us and it goes on the list.

3.1 · MEASUREMENTS AND THEIR ERRORS

3.1.1 Use of SI units and their prefixes · SI units and prefixes
3.1.2 Limitation of physical measurements · Uncertainty and error
3.1.3 Estimation of physical quantities · Estimation and orders of magnitude

3.2 · PARTICLES AND RADIATION

3.2.1.1 Constituents of the atom · Constituents of the atom
3.2.1.2 Stable and unstable nuclei · Stable and unstable nuclei
3.2.1.3 Particles, antiparticles and photons · Antimatter and photons
3.2.1.4 Particle interactions · Particle interactions and exchange particles
3.2.1.5 Classification of particles · Classification of particles
3.2.1.6 Quarks and antiquarks · Quarks and antiquarks
3.2.1.7 Applications of conservation laws · Conservation laws
3.2.2.1 The photoelectric effect · The photoelectric effect
3.2.2.2 Collisions of electrons with atoms · Collisions of electrons with atoms
3.2.2.3 Energy levels and photon emission · Energy levels and photon emission
3.2.2.4 Wave-particle duality · Wave-particle duality

3.3 · WAVES

3.3.1.1 Progressive waves · Progressive waves
3.3.1.2 Longitudinal and transverse waves · Longitudinal, transverse and polarisation
3.3.1.3 Superposition and stationary waves · Stationary waves
3.3.2.1 Interference · Interference and Young's double slit
3.3.2.2 Diffraction · Diffraction and the single slit · Diffraction gratings
3.3.2.3 Refraction at a plane surface · Refraction and total internal reflection

3.4 · MECHANICS AND MATERIALS

3.4.1.1 Scalars and vectors · Scalars and vectors · Mass and weight
3.4.1.2 Moments · Moments and equilibrium
3.4.1.3 Motion along a straight line · Motion graphs and the SUVAT equations
3.4.1.4 Projectile motion · Projectile motion · Drag and terminal speed
3.4.1.5 Newton's laws of motion · Newton's laws and the resultant force
3.4.1.6 Momentum · Momentum and impulse
3.4.1.7 Work, energy and power · Work, energy and power
3.4.1.8 Conservation of energy · Conservation of energy
3.4.2.1 Bulk properties of solids · Density and Hooke's law
3.4.2.2 The Young modulus · Stress, strain and the Young modulus

3.5 · ELECTRICITY

3.5.1.1 Basics of electricity · Current, charge and the direction problem
3.5.1.2 Current-voltage characteristics · Current-voltage characteristics
3.5.1.3 Resistivity · Resistivity and superconductivity
3.5.1.4 Circuits · Circuits and Kirchhoff's laws
3.5.1.5 The potential divider · Potential dividers
3.5.1.6 EMF and internal resistance · EMF and internal resistance

3.6 · FURTHER MECHANICS AND THERMAL PHYSICS

3.6.1.1 Circular motion · Circular motion
3.6.1.2 Simple harmonic motion · Simple harmonic motion
3.6.1.3 Simple harmonic systems · SHM systems: pendulums and springs
3.6.1.4 Forced vibrations and resonance · Forced vibrations and resonance
3.6.2.1 Thermal energy transfer · Thermal energy transfer and specific heat capacity
3.6.2.2 Ideal gases · Ideal gases and the gas laws
3.6.2.3 Molecular kinetic theory model · Molecular kinetic theory

3.7 · FIELDS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES

3.7.1 The concept of a field · The field concept · Comparing electric and gravitational fields
3.7.2.1 Newton's law of gravitation · Newton's law of gravitation
3.7.2.2 Gravitational field strength · Newton's law of gravitation
3.7.2.3 Gravitational potential · Gravitational potential
3.7.2.4 Orbits of planets and satellites · Orbits and satellites
3.7.3.1 Coulomb's law · Coulomb's law and electric field strength · Comparing electric and gravitational fields
3.7.3.2 Electric field strength · Coulomb's law and electric field strength
3.7.3.3 Electric potential · Electric potential
3.7.4.1 Capacitance · Capacitors and energy stored
3.7.4.2 Parallel plate capacitor · Capacitors and energy stored
3.7.4.3 Energy stored by a capacitor · Capacitors and energy stored
3.7.4.4 Capacitor charge and discharge · Charging and discharging · The time constant and exponential decay
3.7.5.1 Magnetic flux density · Magnetic flux density and the force on a wire
3.7.5.2 Moving charges in a magnetic field · Force on a moving charge
3.7.5.3 Magnetic flux and flux linkage · Magnetic flux and flux linkage
3.7.5.4 Electromagnetic induction · Electromagnetic induction: Faraday and Lenz
3.7.5.5 Alternating currents · Alternating currents
3.7.5.6 The operation of a transformer · Transformers

3.8 · NUCLEAR PHYSICS

3.8.1.1 Rutherford scattering · Rutherford scattering and the nuclear atom
3.8.1.2 Alpha, beta and gamma radiation · Rutherford scattering and the nuclear atom
3.8.1.3 Radioactive decay · Radioactive decay and half-life
3.8.1.4 Nuclear instability · Radioactive decay and half-life
3.8.1.5 Nuclear radius · Nuclear radius and density
3.8.1.6 Mass and energy · Mass-energy and binding energy · Fission and fusion
3.8.1.7 Induced fission · Fission and fusion · Nuclear reactors and safety
3.8.1.8 Safety aspects · Nuclear reactors and safety

3.9 · ASTROPHYSICS (OPTION)

3.9.1.1 The astronomical refracting telescope · Telescopes and image formation
3.9.1.2 Reflecting telescopes · Telescopes and image formation
3.9.1.3 Telescopes beyond the visible · Telescopes across the spectrum
3.9.1.4 Collecting power and resolving power · Telescopes across the spectrum
3.9.2.1 Apparent magnitude · Star brightness and magnitude
3.9.2.2 Absolute magnitude and standard candles · Star brightness and magnitude
3.9.2.3 Black-body radiation · Black-body radiation and spectral classes
3.9.2.4 Spectral classes · Black-body radiation and spectral classes
3.9.2.5 The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram · The HR diagram and stellar evolution
3.9.2.6 Supernovae, neutron stars and black holes · The HR diagram and stellar evolution
3.9.3.1 Doppler effect and redshift · The Doppler effect and Hubble's law
3.9.3.2 Hubble's law and the Big Bang · The Doppler effect and Hubble's law
3.9.3.3 Quasars · Quasars and exoplanets
3.9.3.4 Detection of exoplanets · Quasars and exoplanets

3.10 · MEDICAL PHYSICS (OPTION)

3.10.1.1 Physics of vision · The physics of the eye
3.10.1.2 Defects of vision and their correction using lenses · The physics of the eye
3.10.2.1 Ear as a sound detection system · The physics of the ear
3.10.2.2 Sensitivity and frequency response · The physics of the ear
3.10.2.3 Defects of hearing · The physics of the ear
3.10.3.1 Simple ECG machines and the normal ECG waveform · Biological measurement
3.10.4.1 Ultrasound imaging · Ultrasound imaging
3.10.4.2 Fibre optics and endoscopy · Ultrasound imaging
3.10.4.3 Magnetic resonance (MR) scanner · Ultrasound imaging
3.10.5.1 The physics of diagnostic X-rays · X-rays and CT scanning
3.10.5.2 Image detection and enhancement · X-rays and CT scanning
3.10.5.3 Absorption of X-rays · X-rays and CT scanning
3.10.5.4 CT scanner · X-rays and CT scanning
3.10.6.1 Imaging techniques · Radionuclide imaging and PET
3.10.6.2 Half-life · Radionuclide imaging and PET
3.10.6.3 Gamma camera · Radionuclide imaging and PET
3.10.6.4 Use of high-energy X-rays · Radionuclide imaging and PET
3.10.6.5 Use of radioactive implants · Radionuclide imaging and PET
3.10.6.6 Imaging comparisons · Radionuclide imaging and PET

3.11 · ENGINEERING PHYSICS (OPTION)

3.11.1.1 Concept of moment of inertia · Rotational motion and moment of inertia
3.11.1.2 Rotational kinetic energy · Rotational motion and moment of inertia
3.11.1.3 Rotational motion · Rotational motion and moment of inertia
3.11.1.4 Torque and angular acceleration · Torque, angular momentum and rotational power
3.11.1.5 Angular momentum · Torque, angular momentum and rotational power
3.11.1.6 Work and power in rotating systems · Torque, angular momentum and rotational power
3.11.2.1 First law of thermodynamics · The first law of thermodynamics
3.11.2.2 Non-flow processes · The first law of thermodynamics
3.11.2.3 The p-V diagram · The first law of thermodynamics
3.11.2.4 Engine cycles · Heat engines and heat pumps
3.11.2.5 Second Law and engines · Heat engines and heat pumps
3.11.2.6 Reversed heat engines · Heat engines and heat pumps

3.12 · TURNING POINTS IN PHYSICS (OPTION)

3.12.1.1 Discovery of the electron: cathode rays · Cathode rays and the electron
3.12.1.2 Thermionic emission of electrons · Cathode rays and the electron
3.12.1.3 Specific charge of the electron · Cathode rays and the electron
3.12.1.4 Millikan's determination of the electronic charge · Millikan's oil drop experiment
3.12.2.1 Newton's corpuscular theory of light · The nature of light
3.12.2.2 Significance of Young's double slits · The nature of light
3.12.2.3 Electromagnetic waves · The nature of light
3.12.2.4 The discovery of photoelectricity · Quanta and wave-particle duality
3.12.2.5 Wave-particle duality · Quanta and wave-particle duality
3.12.2.6 Electron microscopes · Quanta and wave-particle duality
3.12.3.1 The Michelson-Morley experiment · The Michelson-Morley experiment
3.12.3.2 Einstein's theory of special relativity · The Michelson-Morley experiment
3.12.3.3 Time dilation · The consequences of special relativity
3.12.3.4 Length contraction · The consequences of special relativity
3.12.3.5 Mass and energy · The consequences of special relativity

3.13 · ELECTRONICS (OPTION)

3.13.1.1 MOSFET (metal-oxide semiconducting field-effect transistor) · Discrete semiconductor devices
3.13.1.2 Zener diode · Discrete semiconductor devices
3.13.1.3 Photodiode · Discrete semiconductor devices
3.13.1.4 Hall effect sensor · Discrete semiconductor devices
3.13.2.1 Difference between analogue and digital signals · Operational amplifiers
3.13.3.1 LC resonance filters · Resonant circuits and filters
3.13.3.2 The ideal operational amplifier · Operational amplifiers
3.13.4.1 Operational amplifier in inverting amplifier configuration · Operational amplifiers
3.13.4.2 Operational amplifier in non-inverting amplifier configuration · Operational amplifiers
3.13.4.3 Operational amplifier in summing amplifier configuration · Summing and difference amplifiers
3.13.4.4 Real operational amplifiers · Operational amplifiers
3.13.5.1 Combinational logic · Digital signal processing
3.13.5.2 Sequential logic · Digital signal processing
3.13.5.3 Astables · Digital signal processing
3.13.6.1 Principles of communication systems · Data communication
3.13.6.2 Transmission media · Data communication
3.13.6.3 Time-division multiplexing · Data communication
3.13.6.4 Amplitude (AM) and frequency modulation (FM) techniques · Data communication

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