Specification points

AQA A-level Physics 7408

194 points in 13 topics, with AQA's codes and titles.

Codes and titles are read by a script from AQA's published specification and have not been checked by a person. What each point covers is in the specification itself: AQA’s specification.

3.1 Measurements and their errors

3.1.1 Use of SI units and their prefixes
3.1.2 Limitation of physical measurements
3.1.3 Estimation of physical quantities

3.2 Particles and radiation

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

3.3 Waves

3.3.1 Progressive and stationary waves
3.3.1.1 Progressive waves
3.3.1.2 Longitudinal and transverse waves
3.3.1.3 Principle of superposition of waves and formation of stationary waves
3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
3.3.2.1 Interference
3.3.2.2 Diffraction
3.3.2.3 Refraction at a plane surface

3.4 Mechanics and materials

3.4.1 Force, energy and momentum
3.4.1.1 Scalars and vectors
3.4.1.2 Moments
3.4.1.3 Motion along a straight line
3.4.1.4 Projectile motion
3.4.1.5 Newton’s laws of motion
3.4.1.6 Momentum
3.4.1.7 Work, energy and power
3.4.1.8 Conservation of energy
3.4.2 Materials
3.4.2.1 Bulk properties of solids
3.4.2.2 The Young modulus

3.5 Electricity

3.5.1 Current electricity
3.5.1.1 Basics of electricity
3.5.1.2 Current–voltage characteristics
3.5.1.3 Resistivity
3.5.1.4 Circuits
3.5.1.5 Potential divider
3.5.1.6 Electromotive force and internal resistance

3.6 Further mechanics and thermal physics (A-level only)

3.6.1 Periodic motion (A-level only)
3.6.1.1 Circular motion (A-level only)
3.6.1.2 Simple harmonic motion (SHM) (A-level only)
3.6.1.3 Simple harmonic systems (A-level only)
3.6.1.4 Forced vibrations and resonance (A-level only)
3.6.2 Thermal physics (A-level only)
3.6.2.1 Thermal energy transfer (A-level only)
3.6.2.2 Ideal gases (A-level only)
3.6.2.3 Molecular kinetic theory model (A-level only)

3.7 Fields and their consequences (A-level only)

3.7.1 Fields (A-level only)
3.7.2 Gravitational fields (A-level only)
3.7.2.1 Newton's law (A-level only)
3.7.2.2 Gravitational field strength (A-level only)
3.7.2.3 Gravitational potential (A-level only)
3.7.2.4 Orbits of planets and satellites (A-level only)
3.7.3 Electric fields (A-level only)
3.7.3.1 Coulomb's law (A-level only)
3.7.3.2 Electric field strength (A-level only)
3.7.3.3 Electric potential (A-level only)
3.7.4 Capacitance (A-level only)
3.7.4.1 Capacitance (A-level only)
3.7.4.2 Parallel plate capacitor (A-level only)
3.7.4.3 Energy stored by a capacitor (A-level only)
3.7.4.4 Capacitor charge and discharge (A-level only)
3.7.5 Magnetic fields (A-level only)
3.7.5.1 Magnetic flux density (A-level only)
3.7.5.2 Moving charges in a magnetic field (A-level only)
3.7.5.3 Magnetic flux and flux linkage (A-level only)
3.7.5.4 Electromagnetic induction (A-level only)
3.7.5.5 Alternating currents (A-level only)
3.7.5.6 The operation of a transformer (A-level only)

3.8 Nuclear physics (A-level only)

3.8.1 Radioactivity (A-level only)
3.8.1.1 Rutherford scattering (A-level only)
3.8.1.2 α, β and γ radiation (A-level only)
3.8.1.3 Radioactive decay (A-level only)
3.8.1.4 Nuclear instability (A-level only)
3.8.1.5 Nuclear radius (A-level only)
3.8.1.6 Mass and energy (A-level only)
3.8.1.7 Induced fission (A-level only)
3.8.1.8 Safety aspects (A-level only)

3.9 Astrophysics (A-level only)

3.9.1 Telescopes (A-level only)
3.9.1.1 Astronomical telescope consisting of two converging lenses (A-level only)
3.9.1.2 Reflecting telescopes (A-level only)
3.9.1.3 Single dish radio telescopes, I-R, U-V and X-ray telescopes (A-level only)
3.9.1.4 Advantages of large diameter telescopes (A-level only)
3.9.2 Classification of stars (A-level only)
3.9.2.1 Classification by luminosity (A-level only)
3.9.2.2 Absolute magnitude, M (A-level only)
3.9.2.3 Classification by temperature, black-body radiation (A-level only)
3.9.2.4 Principles of the use of stellar spectral classes (A-level only)
3.9.2.5 The Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram (A-level only)
3.9.2.6 Supernovae, neutron stars and black holes (A-level only)
3.9.3 Cosmology (A-level only)
3.9.3.1 Doppler effect (A-level only)
3.9.3.2 Hubble's law (A-level only)
3.9.3.3 Quasars (A-level only)
3.9.3.4 Detection of exoplanets (A-level only)

3.10 Medical physics (A-level only)

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

3.11 Engineering physics (A-level only)

3.11.1 Rotational dynamics (A-level only)
3.11.1.1 Concept of moment of inertia (A-level only)
3.11.1.2 Rotational kinetic energy (A-level only)
3.11.1.3 Rotational motion (A-level only)
3.11.1.4 Torque and angular acceleration (A-level only)
3.11.1.5 Angular momentum (A-level only)
3.11.1.6 Work and power (A-level only)
3.11.2 Thermodynamics and engines (A-level only)
3.11.2.1 First law of thermodynamics (A-level only)
3.11.2.2 Non-flow processes (A-level only)
3.11.2.3 The p–V diagram (A-level only)
3.11.2.4 Engine cycles (A-level only)
3.11.2.5 Second Law and engines (A-level only)
3.11.2.6 Reversed heat engines (A-level only)

3.12 Turning points in physics (A-level only)

3.12.1 The discovery of the electron (A-level only)
3.12.1.1 Cathode rays (A-level only)
3.12.1.2 Thermionic emission of electrons (A-level only)
3.12.1.3 Specific charge of the electron (A-level only)
3.12.1.4 Principle of Millikan’s determination of the electronic charge, e (A-level only)
3.12.2 Wave-particle duality (A-level only)
3.12.2.1 Newton’s corpuscular theory of light (A-level only)
3.12.2.2 Significance of Young’s double slits experiment (A-level only)
3.12.2.3 Electromagnetic waves (A-level only)
3.12.2.4 The discovery of photoelectricity (A-level only)
3.12.2.5 Wave–particle duality (A-level only)
3.12.2.6 Electron microscopes (A-level only)
3.12.3 Special relativity (A-level only)
3.12.3.1 The Michelson-Morley experiment (A-level only)
3.12.3.2 Einstein’s theory of special relativity (A-level only)
3.12.3.3 Time dilation (A-level only)
3.12.3.4 Length contraction (A-level only)
3.12.3.5 Mass and energy (A-level only)

3.13 Electronics (A-level only)

3.13.1 Discrete semiconductor devices (A-level only)
3.13.1.1 MOSFET (metal-oxide semiconducting field-effect transistor) (A-level only)
3.13.1.2 Zener diode (A-level only)
3.13.1.3 Photodiode (A-level only)
3.13.1.4 Hall effect sensor (A-level only)
3.13.2 Analogue and digital signals (A-level only)
3.13.2.1 Difference between analogue and digital signals (A-level only)
3.13.3 Analogue signal processing (A-level only)
3.13.3.1 LC resonance filters (A-level only)
3.13.3.2 The ideal operational amplifier (A-level only)
3.13.4 Operational amplifier configurations (A-level only)
3.13.4.1 Inverting amplifier configuration (A-level only)
3.13.4.2 Non-inverting amplifier configuration (A-level only)
3.13.4.3 Summing amplifier configuration (A-level only)
3.13.4.4 Real operational amplifiers (A-level only)
3.13.5 Digital signal processing (A-level only)
3.13.5.1 Combinational logic (A-level only)
3.13.5.2 Sequential logic (A-level only)
3.13.5.3 Astables (A-level only)
3.13.6 Data communication systems (A-level only)
3.13.6.1 Principles of communication systems (A-level only)
3.13.6.2 Transmission media (A-level only)
3.13.6.3 Time-division multiplexing (A-level only)
3.13.6.4 Amplitude (AM) and frequency modulation (FM) techniques (A-level only)