Cambridge A-level Physics Year 12 revision

Topic 1: Physical quantities and units

It builds on what you learned at IGCSE in Physical quantities and measurement techniques, and takes it further.

There are 4 parts: we start with units, estimation and uncertainty, and finish with measuring instruments and techniques.

1. 1.1Units, estimation and uncertaintyFree 15 questions
2. 1.2Random and systematic errors, precision, accuracy, repeatability, reproducibility and resolution47 questions
3. 1.3Combining uncertainties: absolute, fractional and percentage uncertainty34 questions
4. 1.4Measuring instruments and techniques: micrometer, calipers, oscilloscope, light gates and data loggers68 questions

Topic 2: Kinematics

It builds on what you learned at IGCSE in Motion, and takes it further.

There are 2 parts: we start with motion and projectiles, and finish with the practical on determining g by free fall.

1. 2.1Motion and projectilesFree 61 questions
2. 2.2Practical: determining g by free fall34 questions

Topic 3: Dynamics

It builds on what you learned at IGCSE in Forces and Momentum, and takes it further.

There are 2 parts: we start with Newton's laws, momentum, work and power, and finish with impulse, force–time graphs, elastic and inelastic collisions and explosions.

1. 3.1Newton's laws, momentum, work and power59 questions
2. 3.2Impulse, force–time graphs, elastic and inelastic collisions and explosions75 questions

Topic 4: Forces, density and pressure

It builds on what you learned at IGCSE in Forces and Pressure, and takes it further.

There are 3 parts: we start with scalars, vectors and moments, and finish with density, pressure in fluids and upthrust.

1. 4.1Scalars, vectors and momentsFree 47 questions
2. 4.2Centre of mass, couples and equilibrium of coplanar forces77 questions
3. 4.3Density, pressure in fluids and upthrustFree 59 questions

Topic 5: Work, energy and power

It builds on what you learned at IGCSE in Energy, work and power, and takes it further.

We will go through it step by step.

1. 5.1Conservation of energy, efficiency and energy transfers72 questions

Topic 6: Deformation of solids

It builds on what you learned at IGCSE in Forces, and takes it further.

There are 3 parts: we start with materials, and finish with the practical on determining the Young modulus of a wire.

1. 6.1Materials20 questions
2. 6.2Stress–strain behaviour of ductile, brittle and polymeric materials, hysteresis and elastic strain energy72 questions
3. 6.3Practical: determining the Young modulus of a wire25 questions

Topic 7: Waves

It builds on what you learned at IGCSE in General properties of waves, and takes it further.

There are 4 parts: we start with progressive and stationary waves, and finish with the practical on speed of sound in air (oscilloscope method and resonance tubes).

1. 7.1Progressive and stationary wavesFree 55 questions
2. 7.2Longitudinal and transverse waves and polarisation74 questions
3. 7.3The electromagnetic spectrum and intensity of waves61 questions
4. 7.4Practical: speed of sound in air (oscilloscope method and resonance tubes)70 questions

Topic 8: Superposition

It builds on what you learned at IGCSE in General properties of waves, and takes it further.

There are 3 parts: we start with refraction, diffraction and interference, and finish with the practical on wavelength of light using double slits and diffraction gratings.

1. 8.1Refraction, diffraction and interference26 questions
2. 8.2Practical: stationary waves on a string (frequency, length, tension and mass per unit length)60 questions
3. 8.3Practical: wavelength of light using double slits and diffraction gratings55 questions

Topic 9: Electricity

It builds on what you learned at IGCSE in Electrical quantities, and takes it further.

There are 4 parts: we start with current, resistance and resistivity, and finish with the practical on determining the resistivity of a wire.

1. 9.1Current, resistance and resistivityFree 71 questions
2. 9.2Charge carriers and drift velocity (I = nAvq): conductors, semiconductors and insulators65 questions
3. 9.3Electrical energy and power: P = IV, I²R, V²/R and the kilowatt-hour69 questions
4. 9.4Practical: determining the resistivity of a wire26 questions

Topic 10: D.C. circuits

It builds on what you learned at IGCSE in Electric circuits, and takes it further.

There are 3 parts: we start with circuits, EMF and potential dividers, and finish with the practical on determining the EMF and internal resistance of a cell.

1. 10.1Circuits, EMF and potential dividers76 questions
2. 10.2I–V characteristics: ohmic conductors, filament lamps, diodes, thermistors and LDRs73 questions
3. 10.3Practical: determining the EMF and internal resistance of a cell69 questions

Topic 11: Particle physics

It builds on what you learned at IGCSE in The nuclear model of the atom, and takes it further.

There are 4 parts: we start with constituents of the atom, isotopes, nuclide notation and specific charge, and finish with quarks, hadrons and leptons.

1. 11.1Constituents of the atom, isotopes, nuclide notation and specific charge66 questions
2. 11.2Stable and unstable nuclei: strong nuclear force, alpha and beta decay and the neutrino70 questions
3. 11.3Particles, antiparticles and forcesFree 66 questions
4. 11.4Quarks, hadrons and leptons21 questions

Topic P: Practical skills (Paper 3)

There are 3 parts: we start with graphs, and finish with evaluating methods and conclusions; research sources and referencing.

1. P.1Graphs: linearisation, error bars, and gradient and intercept uncertainties32 questions
2. P.2Planning investigations: variables, methods and risk assessment41 questions
3. P.3Evaluating methods and conclusions; research sources and referencing50 questions

Other exam boards