A level · AQA

Physics 7408

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  • 3 papers
  • 204 sub-topics
  • Y12Y13When each is usually taught

Official specification (PDF)

Core content

Compulsory

Sections 3.1 to 3.8. Papers 1 and 2, and Paper 3 Section A.

3.1Measurements and their errorsSI units and prefixes, errors and uncertainties in measurements, and estimating quantities.Y123 sub-topics
  1. 3.1.1Use of SI units and their prefixesY12
  2. 3.1.2Limitation of physical measurementsY12
  3. 3.1.3Estimation of physical quantitiesY12
3.2Particles and radiationWhat atoms are made of, particles and antiparticles, the four forces, quarks and leptons, the photoelectric effect and energy levels.Y1211 sub-topics
  1. 3.2.1 Particles
  2. 3.2.1.1Constituents of the atomY12
  3. 3.2.1.2Stable and unstable nucleiY12
  4. 3.2.1.3Particles, antiparticles and photonsY12
  5. 3.2.1.4Particle interactionsY12
  6. 3.2.1.5Classification of particlesY12
  7. 3.2.1.6Quarks and antiquarksY12
  8. 3.2.1.7Applications of conservation lawsY12
  9. 3.2.2 Electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena
  10. 3.2.2.1The photoelectric effectY12
  11. 3.2.2.2Collisions of electrons with atomsY12
  12. 3.2.2.3Energy levels and photon emissionY12
  13. 3.2.2.4Wave-particle dualityY12
3.3WavesProgressive and stationary waves, interference, diffraction, refraction and optical fibres.Y126 sub-topics
  1. 3.3.1 Progressive and stationary waves
  2. 3.3.1.1Progressive wavesY12
  3. 3.3.1.2Longitudinal and transverse wavesY12
  4. 3.3.1.3Principle of superposition of waves and formation of stationary wavesY12
  5. 3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
  6. 3.3.2.1InterferenceY12
  7. 3.3.2.2DiffractionY12
  8. 3.3.2.3Refraction at a plane surfaceY12
3.4Mechanics and materialsVectors, moments, motion graphs, the suvat equations, projectiles, Newton's laws, momentum, energy and the properties of materials.Y1210 sub-topics
  1. 3.4.1 Force, energy and momentum
  2. 3.4.1.1Scalars and vectorsY12
  3. 3.4.1.2MomentsY12
  4. 3.4.1.3Motion along a straight lineY12
  5. 3.4.1.4Projectile motionY12
  6. 3.4.1.5Newton's laws of motionY12
  7. 3.4.1.6MomentumY12
  8. 3.4.1.7Work, energy and powerY12
  9. 3.4.1.8Conservation of energyY12
  10. 3.4.2 Materials
  11. 3.4.2.1Bulk properties of solidsY12
  12. 3.4.2.2The Young modulusY12
3.5ElectricityCurrent, potential difference and resistance, I–V graphs, resistivity, circuits, potential dividers and internal resistance.Y126 sub-topics
  1. 3.5.1 Current electricity
  2. 3.5.1.1Basics of electricityY12
  3. 3.5.1.2Current–voltage characteristicsY12
  4. 3.5.1.3ResistivityY12
  5. 3.5.1.4CircuitsY12
  6. 3.5.1.5Potential dividerY12
  7. 3.5.1.6Electromotive force and internal resistanceY12
3.6Further mechanics and thermal physicsCircular motion, simple harmonic motion and resonance, then thermal physics: heating, ideal gases and kinetic theory.Y137 sub-topics
  1. 3.6.1 Periodic motion
  2. 3.6.1.1Circular motionY13
  3. 3.6.1.2Simple harmonic motion (SHM)Y13
  4. 3.6.1.3Simple harmonic systemsY13
  5. 3.6.1.4Forced vibrations and resonanceY13
  6. 3.6.2 Thermal physics
  7. 3.6.2.1Thermal energy transferY13
  8. 3.6.2.2Ideal gasesY13
  9. 3.6.2.3Molecular kinetic theory modelY13
3.7Fields and their consequencesGravitational and electric fields, capacitors, magnetic fields and electromagnetic induction.Y1318 sub-topics
  1. 3.7.1 Fields
  2. 3.7.1FieldsY13
  3. 3.7.2 Gravitational fields
  4. 3.7.2.1Newton's lawY13
  5. 3.7.2.2Gravitational field strengthY13
  6. 3.7.2.3Gravitational potentialY13
  7. 3.7.2.4Orbits of planets and satellitesY13
  8. 3.7.3 Electric fields
  9. 3.7.3.1Coulomb's lawY13
  10. 3.7.3.2Electric field strengthY13
  11. 3.7.3.3Electric potentialY13
  12. 3.7.4 Capacitance
  13. 3.7.4.1CapacitanceY13
  14. 3.7.4.2Parallel plate capacitorY13
  15. 3.7.4.3Energy stored by a capacitorY13
  16. 3.7.4.4Capacitor charge and dischargeY13
  17. 3.7.5 Magnetic fields
  18. 3.7.5.1Magnetic flux densityY13
  19. 3.7.5.2Moving charges in a magnetic fieldY13
  20. 3.7.5.3Magnetic flux and flux linkageY13
  21. 3.7.5.4Electromagnetic inductionY13
  22. 3.7.5.5Alternating currentsY13
  23. 3.7.5.6The operation of a transformerY13
3.8Nuclear physicsRutherford scattering, radioactivity and half-life, nuclear radius, binding energy, fission and fusion.Y138 sub-topics
  1. 3.8.1 Radioactivity
  2. 3.8.1.1Rutherford scatteringY13
  3. 3.8.1.2α, β and γ radiationY13
  4. 3.8.1.3Radioactive decayY13
  5. 3.8.1.4Nuclear instabilityY13
  6. 3.8.1.5Nuclear radiusY13
  7. 3.8.1.6Mass and energyY13
  8. 3.8.1.7Induced fissionY13
  9. 3.8.1.8Safety aspectsY13

Options

Optional

Paper 3 Section B. Each student sits one.

3.9AstrophysicsOption: telescopes, how stars are classified, the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram, and cosmology.Y13Option A · 14 sub-topics
  1. 3.9.1 Telescopes
  2. 3.9.1.1Astronomical telescope consisting of two converging lensesY13
  3. 3.9.1.2Reflecting telescopesY13
  4. 3.9.1.3Single dish radio telescopes, I-R, U-V and X-ray telescopesY13
  5. 3.9.1.4Advantages of large diameter telescopesY13
  6. 3.9.2 Classification of stars
  7. 3.9.2.1Classification by luminosityY13
  8. 3.9.2.2Absolute magnitude, MY13
  9. 3.9.2.3Classification by temperature, black-body radiationY13
  10. 3.9.2.4Principles of the use of stellar spectral classesY13
  11. 3.9.2.5The Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagramY13
  12. 3.9.2.6Supernovae, neutron stars and black holesY13
  13. 3.9.3 Cosmology
  14. 3.9.3.1Doppler effectY13
  15. 3.9.3.2Hubble's lawY13
  16. 3.9.3.3QuasarsY13
  17. 3.9.3.4Detection of exoplanetsY13
3.10Medical physicsOption: the eye and ear, ECGs, ultrasound, endoscopes, X-rays and nuclear medicine.Y13Option B · 19 sub-topics
  1. 3.10.1 Physics of the eye
  2. 3.10.1.1Physics of visionY13
  3. 3.10.1.2Defects of vision and their correction using lensesY13
  4. 3.10.2 Physics of the ear
  5. 3.10.2.1Ear as a sound detection systemY13
  6. 3.10.2.2Sensitivity and frequency responseY13
  7. 3.10.2.3Defects of hearingY13
  8. 3.10.3 Biological measurement
  9. 3.10.3.1Simple ECG machines and the normal ECG waveformY13
  10. 3.10.4 Non-ionising imaging
  11. 3.10.4.1Ultrasound imagingY13
  12. 3.10.4.2Fibre optics and endoscopyY13
  13. 3.10.4.3Magnetic resonance (MR) scannerY13
  14. 3.10.5 X-ray imaging
  15. 3.10.5.1The physics of diagnostic X-raysY13
  16. 3.10.5.2Image detection and enhancementY13
  17. 3.10.5.3Absorption of X-raysY13
  18. 3.10.5.4CT scannerY13
  19. 3.10.6 Radionuclide imaging and therapy
  20. 3.10.6.1Imaging techniquesY13
  21. 3.10.6.2Half-lifeY13
  22. 3.10.6.3Gamma cameraY13
  23. 3.10.6.4Use of high-energy X-raysY13
  24. 3.10.6.5Use of radioactive implantsY13
  25. 3.10.6.6Imaging comparisonsY13
3.11Engineering physicsOption: rotational dynamics and thermodynamics, including engines and heat pumps.Y13Option C · 12 sub-topics
  1. 3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
  2. 3.11.1.1Concept of moment of inertiaY13
  3. 3.11.1.2Rotational kinetic energyY13
  4. 3.11.1.3Rotational motionY13
  5. 3.11.1.4Torque and angular accelerationY13
  6. 3.11.1.5Angular momentumY13
  7. 3.11.1.6Work and powerY13
  8. 3.11.2 Thermodynamics and engines
  9. 3.11.2.1First law of thermodynamicsY13
  10. 3.11.2.2Non-flow processesY13
  11. 3.11.2.3The p–V diagramY13
  12. 3.11.2.4Engine cyclesY13
  13. 3.11.2.5Second law and enginesY13
  14. 3.11.2.6Reversed heat enginesY13
3.12Turning points in physicsOption: the experiments that changed physics, from the electron and the nature of light to special relativity.Y13Option D · 15 sub-topics
  1. 3.12.1 The discovery of the electron
  2. 3.12.1.1Cathode raysY13
  3. 3.12.1.2Thermionic emission of electronsY13
  4. 3.12.1.3Specific charge of the electronY13
  5. 3.12.1.4Principle of Millikan's determination of the electronic charge, eY13
  6. 3.12.2 Wave-particle duality
  7. 3.12.2.1Newton's corpuscular theory of lightY13
  8. 3.12.2.2Significance of Young's double slits experimentY13
  9. 3.12.2.3Electromagnetic wavesY13
  10. 3.12.2.4The discovery of photoelectricityY13
  11. 3.12.2.5Wave–particle dualityY13
  12. 3.12.2.6Electron microscopesY13
  13. 3.12.3 Special relativity
  14. 3.12.3.1The Michelson-Morley experimentY13
  15. 3.12.3.2Einstein's theory of special relativityY13
  16. 3.12.3.3Time dilationY13
  17. 3.12.3.4Length contractionY13
  18. 3.12.3.5Mass and energyY13
3.13ElectronicsOption: semiconductor components, digital signals, op-amps, logic and communication systems.Y13Option E · 18 sub-topics
  1. 3.13.1 Discrete semiconductor devices
  2. 3.13.1.1MOSFET (metal-oxide semiconducting field-effect transistor)Y13
  3. 3.13.1.2Zener diodeY13
  4. 3.13.1.3PhotodiodeY13
  5. 3.13.1.4Hall effect sensorY13
  6. 3.13.2 Analogue and digital signals
  7. 3.13.2.1Difference between analogue and digital signalsY13
  8. 3.13.3 Analogue signal processing
  9. 3.13.3.1LC resonance filtersY13
  10. 3.13.3.2The ideal operational amplifierY13
  11. 3.13.4 Operational amplifier in:
  12. 3.13.4.1Inverting amplifier configurationY13
  13. 3.13.4.2Non-inverting amplifier configurationY13
  14. 3.13.4.3Summing amplifier configurationY13
  15. 3.13.4.4Real operational amplifiersY13
  16. 3.13.5 Digital signal processing
  17. 3.13.5.1Combinational logicY13
  18. 3.13.5.2Sequential logicY13
  19. 3.13.5.3AstablesY13
  20. 3.13.6 Data communication systems
  21. 3.13.6.1Principles of communication systemsY13
  22. 3.13.6.2Transmission mediaY13
  23. 3.13.6.3Time-division multiplexingY13
  24. 3.13.6.4Amplitude (AM) and frequency modulation (FM) techniquesY13

Across the whole course

Compulsory

Assessed in every paper: maths makes up at least 40% of the marks, and practical skills are tested in the written papers.

MSMathematical skillsThe maths you need in physics: units, standard form, uncertainties, rearranging equations, logarithms, graphs and trigonometry.35 sub-topics
  1. MS 0.1Units and prefixesY13
  2. MS 0.2Decimal and standard formY13
  3. MS 0.3Ratios, fractions and percentagesY13
  4. MS 0.4Estimating effects of changing parametersY13
  5. MS 0.5Calculator: powers, exponentials and logsY13
  6. MS 0.6Calculator: sin, cos and tanY13
  7. MS 1.1Significant figuresY13
  8. MS 1.2Means of repeated readingsY13
  9. MS 1.3Simple probabilityY13
  10. MS 1.4Order-of-magnitude calculationsY13
  11. MS 1.5Combining uncertaintiesY13
  12. MS 2.1Symbols =, <, ≪, ≫, >, ∝, ≈, ΔY13
  13. MS 2.2Changing the subjectY13
  14. MS 2.3Substituting values with unitsY13
  15. MS 2.4Solving equationsY13
  16. MS 2.5LogarithmsY13
  17. MS 3.1Graphical, numerical and algebraic formsY13
  18. MS 3.2Plotting dataY13
  19. MS 3.3y = mx + cY13
  20. MS 3.4Gradient and interceptY13
  21. MS 3.5Rate of change from a straight lineY13
  22. MS 3.6Tangents to curvesY13
  23. MS 3.7Instantaneous and average ratesY13
  24. MS 3.8Area under a graphY13
  25. MS 3.9Calculus ideas without calculusY13
  26. MS 3.10Logarithmic plotsY13
  27. MS 3.11Testing exponential and power laws with log plotsY13
  28. MS 3.12Sketching k/x, kx², kx, sin x, cos x, e^(±x), sin²x, cos²xY13
  29. MS 4.1Angles in 2D and 3D structuresY13
  30. MS 4.22D and 3D formsY13
  31. MS 4.3Areas and volumesY13
  32. MS 4.4Pythagoras and angle sum of a triangleY13
  33. MS 4.5Sin, cos and tan in physical problemsY13
  34. MS 4.6Small-angle approximationsY13
  35. MS 4.7Degrees and radiansY13
PSPractical skillsPlanning experiments, presenting and analysing data, and evaluating results. Tested in the written papers.10 sub-topics
  1. PS1.1Solve problems set in practical contextsY13
  2. PS1.2Apply knowledge to practical contextsY13
  3. PS2.1Comment on experimental design and evaluate methodsY13
  4. PS2.2Present data appropriatelyY13
  5. PS2.3Evaluate results and conclusions using uncertaintiesY13
  6. PS2.4Identify variables, including control variablesY13
  7. PS3.1Plot and interpret graphsY13
  8. PS3.2Process and analyse data with the maths skillsY13
  9. PS3.3Margins of error, accuracy and precisionY13
  10. PS4.1Use a wide range of instruments and techniquesY13
ATApparatus and techniquesThe equipment and techniques you are expected to have used in the required practicals.12 sub-topics
  1. ATaAnalogue instrumentsY13
  2. ATbDigital instrumentsY13
  3. ATcImproving accuracyY13
  4. ATdStopwatches and light gatesY13
  5. ATeCalipers and micrometersY13
  6. ATfBuilding circuits from diagramsY13
  7. ATgDesigning and checking circuitsY13
  8. AThSignal generators and oscilloscopesY13
  9. ATiGenerating and measuring wavesY13
  10. ATjLasers and light sourcesY13
  11. ATkICT and data loggersY13
  12. ATlIonising radiation and detectorsY13

Required practicals

Assessed in the written papers.

RPRequired practical activities12 practicals
  1. 1Investigation into the variation of the frequency of stationary waves on a string with length, tension and mass per unit length
  2. 2Investigation of interference effects using Young's slits and a diffraction grating
  3. 3Determination of g by a free-fall method
  4. 4Determination of the Young modulus by a simple method
  5. 5Determination of resistivity of a wire using a micrometer, ammeter and voltmeter
  6. 6Investigation of the emf and internal resistance of electric cells and batteries
  7. 7Investigation into simple harmonic motion using a mass–spring system and a simple pendulum
  8. 8Investigation of Boyle's law and Charles's law for a gas
  9. 9Investigation of the charge and discharge of capacitors
  10. 10Investigate how the force on a wire varies with flux density, current and length of wire
  11. 11Investigate, using a search coil and oscilloscope, the effect on magnetic flux linkage of varying the angle
  12. 12Investigation of the inverse-square law for gamma radiation

The exam papers

Paper 1: Sections 3.1 to 3.5 and 3.6.12 h · 85 marks · 34%7408/1
Paper 2: Sections 3.6.2, 3.7 and 3.82 h · 85 marks · 34%7408/2
Paper 3: Practical skills and data analysis, plus one option2 h · 80 marks · 32%7408/3A and 3B