AQA A-level Physics Year 13 revision

Topic 6.1: Periodic motion

It builds on what you learned at AS in Mechanics and materials, and takes it further.

There are 9 parts: we start with circular motion, and finish with resonance in everyday applications and its effects.

1. 6.1.1Circular motionFree 62 questions
2. 6.1.2Applications of circular motion: vertical circles, conical pendulums and banked tracks61 questions
3. 6.1.3Simple harmonic motion62 questions
4. 6.1.4Energy changes in SHM and energy–displacement graphs55 questions
5. 6.1.5Mass–spring systems and the simple pendulum: periods and graphs60 questions
6. 6.1.6Practical: investigating simple harmonic motion (mass–spring and pendulum)64 questions
7. 6.1.7Free and forced oscillations and resonanceFree 64 questions
8. 6.1.8Damping: light, critical and heavy damping45 questions
9. 6.1.9Resonance in everyday applications and its effects25 questions

Topic 6.2: Thermal physics

It builds on what you learned at AS in Mechanics and materials, and takes it further.

There are 9 parts: we start with temperature scales, absolute zero and thermal equilibrium, and finish with thermal physics and gases.

1. 6.2.1Temperature scales, absolute zero and thermal equilibriumFree 65 questions
2. 6.2.2Internal energy and specific heat capacity61 questions
3. 6.2.3Specific latent heat and changes of state55 questions
4. 6.2.4Boyle's law, Charles's law and the pressure lawFree 58 questions
5. 6.2.5Practical: Boyle's law and pressure law, estimating absolute zero61 questions
6. 6.2.6The ideal gas equation: moles, Avogadro constant and Boltzmann constant51 questions
7. 6.2.7Kinetic theory of gases: assumptions, pV = ⅓Nm⟨c²⟩ and r.m.s. speed57 questions
8. 6.2.8Molecular kinetic energy and temperature; Brownian motion61 questions
9. 6.2.9Thermal physics and gases61 questions

Topic 7.2: Gravitational fields

It builds on what you learned at AS in Mechanics and materials, and takes it further.

There are 6 parts: we start with gravitational fields, and finish with escape velocity and orbital energy.

1. 7.2.1Gravitational fieldsFree 43 questions
2. 7.2.2Gravitational potential and gravitational potential energyFree 60 questions
3. 7.2.3Potential gradient and gravitational field strength57 questions
4. 7.2.4Orbital motion and Kepler's laws62 questions
5. 7.2.5Satellites and geostationary orbits53 questions
6. 7.2.6Escape velocity and orbital energy58 questions

Topic 7.3: Electric fields

It builds on what you learned at AS in Electricity, and takes it further.

There are 6 parts: we start with electric fields, and finish with motion of charged particles in uniform electric fields.

1. 7.3.1Electric fields48 questions
2. 7.3.2Coulomb's law and radial electric field strengthFree 58 questions
3. 7.3.3Uniform electric fields between parallel plates and field patterns62 questions
4. 7.3.4Electric potential and electric potential energy55 questions
5. 7.3.5Potential gradient; comparing gravitational and electric fields61 questions
6. 7.3.6Motion of charged particles in uniform electric fields57 questions

Topic 7.4: Capacitance

It builds on what you learned at AS in Electricity, and takes it further.

There are 7 parts: we start with capacitance, and finish with applications of capacitors.

1. 7.4.1Capacitance51 questions
2. 7.4.2Energy stored in a capacitor and the Q–V graphFree 64 questions
3. 7.4.3Capacitors in series and parallel57 questions
4. 7.4.4Charging and discharging a capacitor: exponential equations57 questions
5. 7.4.5Time constant, discharge graphs and logarithmic plots58 questions
6. 7.4.6Practical: charging and discharging a capacitor, determining the time constant60 questions
7. 7.4.7Applications of capacitors55 questions

Topic 7.5: Magnetic fields

It builds on what you learned at AS in Electricity, and takes it further.

There are 11 parts: we start with magnetic fields and induction, and finish with the practical on investigating electromagnetic induction with coils and magnets.

1. 7.5.1Magnetic fields and induction8 questions
2. 7.5.2Magnetic field patterns: wires, coils, solenoids; Fleming's left-hand ruleFree 73 questions
3. 7.5.3Magnetic flux density and force on a current-carrying conductor (F = BIl)62 questions
4. 7.5.4Force on a moving charge (F = Bqv) and circular paths in magnetic fields67 questions
5. 7.5.5Practical: measuring magnetic flux density with a current balance57 questions
6. 7.5.6Magnetic flux and flux linkageFree 17 questions
7. 7.5.7Faraday's law and Lenz's law22 questions
8. 7.5.8Generators and alternating voltages16 questions
9. 7.5.9Peak, mean and r.m.s. values of alternating current and voltage63 questions
10. 7.5.10Transformers and power transmission61 questions
11. 7.5.11Practical: investigating electromagnetic induction with coils and magnets61 questions

Topic 8: Nuclear physics

It builds on what you learned at AS in Particles and radiation, and takes it further.

There are 12 parts: we start with rutherford scattering and the distance of closest approach, and finish with nuclear waste, safety and risk assessment.

1. 8.1Rutherford scattering and the distance of closest approach22 questions
2. 8.2Nuclear radius, nuclear density and electron diffraction46 questions
3. 8.3Radioactivity and nuclear decayFree 59 questions
4. 8.4Properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiation, background radiation and safe handling20 questions
5. 8.5Practical: modelling radioactive decay, and absorption and inverse-square law for gamma radiation59 questions
6. 8.6Nuclear instability: N–Z graph and decay modes (alpha, beta-minus, beta-plus, electron capture, gamma, neutrino)68 questions
7. 8.7Radioactive dating and other uses of radioisotopes56 questions
8. 8.8Nuclear energy65 questions
9. 8.9Induced fission, chain reactions and critical massFree 28 questions
10. 8.10Fission reactors: moderator, control rods, coolant and shielding30 questions
11. 8.11Nuclear fusion: conditions, confinement and comparison with fission42 questions
12. 8.12Nuclear waste, safety and risk assessment61 questions

Topic 9: Option: Astrophysics

It builds on what you learned at AS in Waves, and takes it further.

There are 23 parts: we start with refracting astronomical telescope, and finish with detecting exoplanets.

1. 9.1Refracting astronomical telescope: ray diagrams and angular magnificationFree 34 questions
2. 9.2Reflecting telescopes: Cassegrain design, mirrors and aberrations24 questions
3. 9.3Collecting power, resolving power and the Rayleigh criterion59 questions
4. 9.4Charge-coupled devices compared with the eye55 questions
5. 9.5Radio telescopes and arrays20 questions
6. 9.6Infrared, ultraviolet and X-ray telescopes and the effect of the atmosphere29 questions
7. 9.7Astronomical distances: AU, light-year, parsec and stellar parallaxFree 42 questions
8. 9.8Luminosity, intensity and the inverse-square law for starlight43 questions
9. 9.9Apparent and absolute magnitude scales23 questions
10. 9.10Black-body radiation: Wien's displacement law and the Stefan–Boltzmann law18 questions
11. 9.11Stellar spectra and spectral classes14 questions
12. 9.12Standard candles: Cepheid variables and Type Ia supernovae23 questions
13. 9.13The Hertzsprung–Russell diagramFree 25 questions
14. 9.14Star formation, fusion and equilibrium on the main sequence62 questions
15. 9.15Red giants, planetary nebulae and white dwarfs18 questions
16. 9.16Supernovae, neutron stars and the Chandrasekhar limit28 questions
17. 9.17Black holes, event horizon and Schwarzschild radius18 questions
18. 9.18The Doppler effect and red shiftFree 26 questions
19. 9.19Hubble's law and the age of the Universe18 questions
20. 9.20The Big Bang, cosmic microwave background and evolution of the Universe62 questions
21. 9.21Dark matter, dark energy, critical density and the fate of the Universe60 questions
22. 9.22Quasars and active galaxies21 questions
23. 9.23Detecting exoplanets: transit and radial velocity methods56 questions

Topic 10: Option: Medical physics

It builds on what you learned at AS in Waves, and takes it further.

There are 14 parts: we start with structure of the eye, image formation and accommodation, and finish with comparing medical imaging techniques.

1. 10.1Structure of the eye, image formation and accommodationFree 34 questions
2. 10.2Defects of vision and corrective lenses (lens power)54 questions
3. 10.3Visual perception: rods, cones, resolution, colour vision and dark adaptation29 questions
4. 10.4The ear: structure, function and frequency response45 questions
5. 10.5Sound intensity level, the decibel scale and hearing defects60 questions
6. 10.6Biological measurement: ECG, electrodes, differential amplifiers and noise25 questions
7. 10.7X-ray production and imagingFree 32 questions
8. 10.8X-ray attenuation, contrast media and computed tomography28 questions
9. 10.9Ultrasound imaging: A- and B-scans, acoustic impedance and Doppler66 questions
10. 10.10Magnetic resonance imaging27 questions
11. 10.11Fibre optics and endoscopy37 questions
12. 10.12Radionuclide imaging: tracers, gamma camera and PET29 questions
13. 10.13Radiotherapy, radiation dose and effective half-life71 questions
14. 10.14Comparing medical imaging techniques: benefits and risks39 questions

Topic 11: Option: Engineering physics

It builds on what you learned at AS in Mechanics and materials, and takes it further.

There are 12 parts: we start with angular displacement, velocity and acceleration; equations of rotational motion, and finish with heat pumps and refrigerators.

1. 11.1Angular displacement, velocity and acceleration; equations of rotational motionFree 56 questions
2. 11.2Moment of inertia and rotational kinetic energy54 questions
3. 11.3Torque and angular acceleration (T = Iα)57 questions
4. 11.4Angular momentum and its conservation56 questions
5. 11.5Flywheels: work, power and energy storage in rotation62 questions
6. 11.6The first law of thermodynamicsFree 56 questions
7. 11.7Work done by a gas and p–V diagrams65 questions
8. 11.8Isothermal, adiabatic, isobaric and isovolumetric changes61 questions
9. 11.9Engine cycles: Otto and diesel, four-stroke indicator diagrams23 questions
10. 11.10Engine power, efficiency and friction power64 questions
11. 11.11The second law of thermodynamics and maximum (Carnot) efficiency63 questions
12. 11.12Heat pumps and refrigerators: coefficient of performance67 questions

Topic 12: Option: Turning points in physics

It builds on what you learned at AS in Particles and radiation, and takes it further.

There are 10 parts: we start with cathode rays, thermionic emission and the electron gun, and finish with relativistic mass, momentum and energy (E = mc²).

1. 12.1Cathode rays, thermionic emission and the electron gunFree 72 questions
2. 12.2Specific charge of the electron and Thomson's experiment62 questions
3. 12.3Millikan's oil-drop experiment and quantisation of charge60 questions
4. 12.4Wave and particle theories of light: Newton, Huygens and Young69 questions
5. 12.5The photoelectric effect and Einstein's photon explanation17 questions
6. 12.6Wave–particle duality: de Broglie wavelength and electron diffraction39 questions
7. 12.7The Michelson–Morley experiment and the etherFree 24 questions
8. 12.8Einstein's postulates and time dilation19 questions
9. 12.9Length contraction and experimental evidence (muon decay)61 questions
10. 12.10Relativistic mass, momentum and energy (E = mc²)64 questions

Topic 13: Option: Electronics

It builds on what you learned at AS in Electricity, and takes it further.

There are 18 parts: we start with voltage dividers and input sensors (LDR, thermistor), and finish with data communication.

1. 13.1Voltage dividers and input sensors (LDR, thermistor)Free 19 questions
2. 13.2Output devices: LEDs, relays, motors and protection diodes23 questions
3. 13.3The transistor as a switch17 questions
4. 13.4Analogue and digital signals25 questions
5. 13.5Analogue-to-digital and digital-to-analogue conversion and sampling21 questions
6. 13.6The ideal op-amp, open-loop gain and the comparatorFree 16 questions
7. 13.7The inverting amplifier and virtual earth18 questions
8. 13.8The non-inverting amplifier and voltage follower16 questions
9. 13.9Summing and difference amplifiers13 questions
10. 13.10Frequency response, bandwidth and gain–bandwidth product37 questions
11. 13.11RC filters: high-pass and low-pass20 questions
12. 13.12Logic gates and truth tablesFree 25 questions
13. 13.13Boolean expressions and NAND/NOR-only circuits55 questions
14. 13.14Designing combinational logic systems21 questions
15. 13.15Bistables, SR latches and flip-flops24 questions
16. 13.16Counters and clocked sequential circuits69 questions
17. 13.17The 555 timer: astable and monostable operation25 questions
18. 13.18Data communication: modulation, noise and bandwidth36 questions

Topic PS: Maths skills

It builds on what you learned at AS in Measurements and their errors, and takes it further.

There are 5 parts: we start with exponential and logarithmic functions (e^x, ln, decay and discharge), and finish with introductory calculus in physics.

1. PS.1Exponential and logarithmic functions (e^x, ln, decay and discharge)Free 57 questions
2. PS.2Logarithmic graphs: linearising exponential and power laws59 questions
3. PS.3Radians, trigonometric functions and the small-angle approximation14 questions
4. PS.4Gradients, tangents and areas under graphs as rates of change and totals26 questions
5. PS.5Introductory calculus in physics: SHM, induction and field–potential relations15 questions

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