Syllabus A Level

Teach me about {Topic} based On The cambridge A Level syllabus, I have a
test today in a few hours, I only have {Time Available } to study. Use
the following syllabus and strictly adhere to it when generating your response,
Give me some practice questions throughout so that I can sufficiently revise the
concepts before my test. Refer closely to the syllabus to help me be as efficient
as possible with the study session. My goal is to get 90% in today's. I have a
greater understanding of { Topic } because it's a topic we did last week but we did
{ Old Topic/Concept } last term so I am a bit rusty. I'm more of a practical and
Visual leaner. I learn best by doing. After teaching me generate a study session
for the next year based on my syllabus and implemnet things like spaced repetition
and psychological tactics that help people retain information the most in terms of
the order of topics,how I will study them and when.
"
2 Syllabus overview
Aims
The aims describe the purposes of a course based on this syllabus.
The aims are to enable students to:
• acquire knowledge and understanding and develop practical skills, including
efficient, accurate and safe
scientific practices
• learn to apply the scientific method, while developing an awareness of the
limitations of scientific theories
and models
• develop skills in data analysis, evaluation and drawing conclusions, cultivating
attitudes relevant to science
such as objectivity, integrity, enquiry, initiative and inventiveness
• develop effective scientific communication skills, using appropriate terminology
and scientific conventions
• understand their responsibility to others/society and to care for the environment
• enjoy science and develop an informed interest in the subject that may lead to
further study.
Cambridge Assessment International Education is an education organisation and
politically
neutral. The contents of this syllabus, examination papers and associated materials
do not endorse any
political view. We endeavour to treat all aspects of the exam process neutrally.
Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027.
Syllabus overview
Back to contents page www.cambridgeinternational.org/alevel 10
Content overview
Candidates for Cambridge International AS Level Physics study the following topics:
1 Physical quantities and units
2 Kinematics
3 Dynamics
4 Forces, density and pressure
5 Work, energy and power
6 Deformation of solids
7 Waves
8 Superposition
9 Electricity
10 D.C. circuits
11 Particle physics
AS Level candidates also study practical skills.
Candidates for Cambridge International A Level Physics study the AS Level topics
and the
following topics:
12 Motion in a circle
13 Gravitational fields
14 Temperature
15 Ideal gases
16 Thermodynamics
17 Oscillations
18 Electric fields
19 Capacitance
20 Magnetic fields
21 Alternating currents
22 Quantum physics
23 Nuclear physics
24 Medical physics
25 Astronomy and cosmology
A Level candidates also study practical skills.
School feedback: ‘Cambridge International AS & A Levels prepare students well for
university
because they’ve learnt to go into a subject in considerable depth. There’s that
ability to really
understand the depth and richness and the detail of a subject. It’s a wonderful
preparation for
what they are going to face at university.’
Feedback from: US Higher Education Advisory Council
Syllabus overview
Assessment overview
Paper 1 Paper 4
Multiple Choice 1 hour 15 minutes
40 marks
40 multiple-choice questions
Questions are based on the AS Level syllabus
content.
Externally assessed
31% of the AS Level
15.5% of the A Level
A Level Structured Questions 2 hours
100 marks
Structured questions
Questions are based on the A Level syllabus
content; knowledge of material from the AS Level
syllabus content will be required.
Externally assessed
Paper 2 Paper 5
AS Level Structured Questions
1 hour 15 minutes
60 marks
Structured questions
Questions are based on the AS Level syllabus
content.
Externally assessed
46% of the AS Level
23% of the A Level
Planning, Analysis and Evaluation
1 hour 15 minutes
30 marks
Candidates answer two compulsory questions.
Questions are based on the experimental skills in
the Practical assessment section of the syllabus.
The context of the questions may be outside the
syllabus content.
Externally assessed
Paper 3
Advanced Practical Skills 2 hours
40 marks
Practical work and structured questions
Questions are based on the experimental skills in
the Practical assessment section of the syllabus.
The context of the questions may be outside the
syllabus content.
Externally assessed
23% of the AS Level
Information on availability is in the Before you start section.
Syllabus overview
There are three routes for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics:
Route Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4 Paper 5
1 AS Level only
(Candidates take all AS
components in the same exam
series)
yes yes yes
2 A Level (staged over two years)
Year 1 AS Level* yes yes yes
Year 2 Complete the A Level yes yes
3 A Level
(Candidates take all components in
the same exam series)
yes yes yes yes yes
* Candidates carry forward their AS Level result subject to the rules and time
limits described in the Cambridge
Handbook. See Making entries for more information on carry forward of results.
Candidates following an AS Level route are eligible for grades a–e. Candidates
following an A Level route are
eligible for grades A*–E.
Syllabus overview
Assessment objectives
The assessment objectives (AOs) are:
AO1 Knowledge and understanding
Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
• scientific phenomena, facts, laws, definitions, concepts and theories
• scientific vocabulary, terminology and conventions (including symbols, quantities
and units)
• scientific instruments and apparatus, including techniques of operation and
aspects of safety
• scientific quantities and their determination
• scientific and technological applications with their social, economic and
environmental implications.
AO2 Handling, applying and evaluating information
Candidates should be able to handle, apply and evaluate information in words or
using other forms of
presentation (e.g. symbols, graphical or numerical) to:
• locate, select, organise and present information from a variety of sources
• translate information from one form to another
• manipulate numerical and other data
• use information to identify patterns, report trends and draw conclusions
• give reasoned explanations for phenomena, patterns and relationships
• make predictions and construct arguments to support hypotheses
• make sense of new situations
• evaluate hypotheses
• demonstrate an awareness of the limitations of physical theories and models
• solve problems.
AO3 Experimental skills and investigations
Candidates should be able to:
• plan experiments and investigations
• collect, record and present observations, measurements and estimates
• analyse and interpret experimental data to reach conclusions
• evaluate methods and quality of experimental data, and suggest improvements to
experiments.
Syllabus overview
Weighting for assessment objectives
The approximate weightings allocated to each of the assessment objectives (AOs) are
summarised below.
Assessment objectives as a percentage of each qualification
Assessment objective Weighting in AS Level % Weighting in A Level %
AO1 Knowledge and understanding 40 40
AO2 Handling, applying and evaluating information 40 40
AO3 Experimental skills and investigations 20 20
Total 100 100
Assessment objectives as a percentage of each component
Assessment objective Weighting in components %
Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4 Paper 5
AO1 Knowledge and understanding 50 50 0 50 0
AO2 Handling, applying and evaluating information 50 50 0 50 0
AO3 Experimental skills and investigations 0 0 100 0 100
Total 100 100 100 100 100
3 Subject content
This syllabus gives you the flexibility to design a course that will interest,
challenge and engage your learners.
Where appropriate you are responsible for selecting subject contexts, resources and
examples to support your
learners’ study. These should be appropriate for the learners’ age, cultural
background and learning context as
well as complying with your school policies and local legal requirements.
Candidates for Cambridge International AS Level should study topics 1–11.
Candidates for Cambridge International A Level should study all topics.
The content of the AS Level learning outcomes is assumed knowledge for the A Level
components.
Teachers should refer to the social, environmental, economic and technological
aspects of physics wherever
possible throughout the syllabus. Some examples are included in the syllabus and
teachers should encourage
learners to apply the principles of these examples to other situations introduced
in the course.
The syllabus content for practical skills is in the Practical assessment section.
Teachers should ensure that candidates are prepared for the assessment of both
theory learning outcomes
and practical skills.
Support for teaching practical skills for these qualifications can be found on the
School Support Hub
www.cambridgeinternational.org/support
Data and formulae
Data and formulae will appear as page 2 in Papers 1 and 2 and pages 2 and 3 in
Paper 4. The data and
formulae are shown in section 6.
Decimal markers
In accordance with current ASE convention, decimal markers in examination papers
will be a single dot on the
line. Candidates are expected to follow this convention in their answers.
Units
In practical work, candidates will be expected to use SI units or, where
appropriate, units approved by the BIPM
for use with the SI (e.g. minute). A list of SI units and units approved for use
with the SI may be found in the SI
brochure at www.bipm.org. The use of imperial/customary units such as the inch and
degree Fahrenheit is
not acceptable and should be discouraged. In all examinations, where data is
supplied for use in questions,
candidates will be expected to use units that are consistent with the units
supplied, and should not attempt
conversion to other systems of units unless this is a requirement of the question.
Subject content
AS Level subject content
1 Physical quantities and units
1.1 Physical quantities
1 understand that all physical quantities consist of a numerical magnitude and a
unit
2 make reasonable estimates of physical quantities included within the syllabus
1.2 SI units
1 recall the following SI base quantities and their units: mass (kg), length (m),
time (s), current (A),
temperature (K)
2 express derived units as products or quotients of the SI base units and use the
derived units for
quantities listed in this syllabus as appropriate
3 use SI base units to check the homogeneity of physical equations
4 recall and use the following prefixes and their symbols to indicate decimal
submultiples or multiples of
both base and derived units: pico (p), nano (n), micro (μ), milli (m), centi (c),
deci (d), kilo (k), mega (M),
giga (G), tera (T)
1.3 Errors and uncertainties
1 understand and explain the effects of systematic errors (including zero errors)
and random errors in
measurements
2 understand the distinction between precision and accuracy
3 assess the uncertainty in a derived quantity by simple addition of absolute or
percentage uncertainties
1.4 Scalars and vectors
1 understand the difference between scalar and vector quantities and give examples
of scalar and vector
quantities included in the syllabus
2 add and subtract coplanar vectors
3 represent a vector as two perpendicular components
Subject content
2 Kinematics
2.1 Equations of motion
1 define and use distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration
2 use graphical methods to represent distance, displacement, speed, velocity and
acceleration
3 determine displacement from the area under a velocity–time graph
4 determine velocity using the gradient of a displacement–time graph
5 determine acceleration using the gradient of a velocity–time graph
6 derive, from the definitions of velocity and acceleration, equations that
represent uniformly accelerated
motion in a straight line
7 solve problems using equations that represent uniformly accelerated motion in a
straight line, including
the motion of bodies falling in a uniform gravitational field without air
resistance
8 describe an experiment to determine the acceleration of free fall using a falling
object
9 describe and explain motion due to a uniform velocity in one direction and a
uniform acceleration in a
perpendicular direction
3 Dynamics
An understanding of forces from Cambridge IGCSE/O Level Physics or equivalent is
assumed.
3.1 Momentum and Newton’s laws of motion
1 understand that mass is the property of an object that resists change in motion
2 recall F = ma and solve problems using it, understanding that acceleration and
resultant force are
always in the same direction
3 define and use linear momentum as the product of mass and velocity
4 define and use force as rate of change of momentum
5 state and apply each of Newton’s laws of motion
6 describe and use the concept of weight as the effect of a gravitational field on
a mass and recall that
the weight of an object is equal to the product of its mass and the acceleration of
free fall
Subject content
3.2 Non-uniform motion
1 show a qualitative understanding of frictional forces and viscous/drag forces
including air resistance
(no treatment of the coefficients of friction and viscosity is required, and a
simple model of drag force
increasing as speed increases is sufficient)
2 describe and explain qualitatively the motion of objects in a uniform
gravitational field with air resistance
3 understand that objects moving against a resistive force may reach a terminal
(constant) velocity
3.3 Linear momentum and its conservation
1 state the principle of conservation of momentum
2 apply the principle of conservation of momentum to solve simple problems,
including elastic and
inelastic interactions between objects in both one and two dimensions (knowledge of
the concept of
coefficient of restitution is not required)
3 recall that, for an elastic collision, total kinetic energy is conserved and the
relative speed of approach is
equal to the relative speed of separation
4 understand that, while momentum of a system is always conserved in interactions
between objects,
some change in kinetic energy may take place
4 Forces, density and pressure
4.1 Turning effects of forces
1 understand that the weight of an object may be taken as acting at a single point
known as its centre of
gravity
2 define and apply the moment of a force
3 understand that a couple is a pair of forces that acts to produce rotation only
4 define and apply the torque of a couple
4.2 Equilibrium of forces
1 state and apply the principle of moments
2 understand that, when there is no resultant force and no resultant torque, a
system is in equilibrium
3 use a vector triangle to represent coplanar forces in equilibrium
Subject content
4.3 Density and pressure
1 define and use density
2 define and use pressure
3 derive, from the definitions of pressure and density, the equation for
hydrostatic pressure ∆p = ρg∆h
4 use the equation ∆p = ρg∆h
5 understand that the upthrust acting on an object in a fluid is due to a
difference in hydrostatic pressure
6 calculate the upthrust acting on an object in a fluid using the equation F = ρgV
(Archimedes’ principle)
5 Work, energy and power
An understanding of the forms of energy and energy transfers from Cambridge
IGCSE/O Level Physics
or equivalent is assumed.
5.1 Energy conservation
1 understand the concept of work, and recall and use work done = force ×
displacement in the direction
of the force
2 recall and apply the principle of conservation of energy
3 recall and understand that the efficiency of a system is the ratio of useful
energy output from the system
to the total energy input
4 use the concept of efficiency to solve problems
5 define power as work done per unit time
6 solve problems using P = W/t
7 derive P = Fv and use it to solve problems
5.2 Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy
1 derive, using W = Fs, the formula ∆EP = mg∆h for gravitational potential energy
changes in a uniform
gravitational field
2 recall and use the formula ∆EP = mg∆h for gravitational potential energy changes
in a uniform
gravitational field
3 derive, using the equations of motion, the formula for kinetic energy EK = 2
1
mv2
4 recall and use EK = 2
1
mv2
Subject content
6 Deformation of solids
6.1 Stress and strain
1 understand that deformation is caused by tensile or compressive forces (forces
and deformations will
be assumed to be in one dimension only)
2 understand and use the terms load, extension, compression and limit of
proportionality
3 recall and use Hooke’s law
4 recall and use the formula for the spring constant k = F/ x
5 define and use the terms stress, strain and the Young modulus
6 describe an experiment to determine the Young modulus of a metal in the form of a
wire
6.2 Elastic and plastic behaviour
1 understand and use the terms elastic deformation, plastic deformation and elastic
limit
2 understand that the area under the force–extension graph represents the work done
3 determine the elastic potential energy of a material deformed within its limit of
proportionality from the
area under the force–extension graph
4 recall and use EP = 2
1 Fx = 2
1 kx2
for a material deformed within its limit of proportionality
7 Waves
An understanding of colour from Cambridge IGCSE/O Level Physics or equivalent is
assumed.
7.1 Progressive waves
1 describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibration in ropes,
springs and ripple tanks
2 understand and use the terms displacement, amplitude, phase difference, period,
frequency,
wavelength and speed
3 understand the use of the time-base and y-gain of a cathode-ray oscilloscope
(CRO) to determine
frequency and amplitude
4 derive, using the definitions of speed, frequency and wavelength, the wave
equation v = f λ
5 recall and use v = f λ
6 understand that energy is transferred by a progressive wave
7 recall and use intensity = power/area and intensity ∝ (amplitude)
2
for a progressive wave
Subject content
7.2 Transverse and longitudinal waves
1 compare transverse and longitudinal waves
2 analyse and interpret graphical representations of transverse and longitudinal
waves
7.3 Doppler effect for sound waves
1 understand that when a source of sound waves moves relative to a stationary
observer, the observed
frequency is different from the source frequency (understanding of the Doppler
effect for a stationary
source and a moving observer is not required)
2 use the expression f
ο = f s
v /(v ± vs
) for the observed frequency when a source of sound waves moves
relative to a stationary observer
7.4 Electromagnetic spectrum
1 state that all electromagnetic waves are transverse waves that travel with the
same speed c in free
space
2 recall the approximate range of wavelengths in free space of the principal
regions of the
electromagnetic spectrum from radio waves to γ-rays
3 recall that wavelengths in the range 400–700nm in free space are visible to the
human eye
7.5 Polarisation
1 understand that polarisation is a phenomenon associated with transverse waves
2 recall and use Malus’s law (I = I0 cos2
θ ) to calculate the intensity of a plane-polarised electromagnetic
wave after transmission through a polarising filter or a series of polarising
filters (calculation of the effect
of a polarising filter on the intensity of an unpolarised wave is not required)
Subject content
8 Superposition
8.1 Stationary waves
1 explain and use the principle of superposition
2 show an understanding of experiments that demonstrate stationary waves using
microwaves, stretched
strings and air columns (it will be assumed that end corrections are negligible;
knowledge of the
concept of end corrections is not required)
3 explain the formation of a stationary wave using a graphical method, and identify
nodes and antinodes
4 understand how wavelength may be determined from the positions of nodes or
antinodes of a
stationary wave
8.2 Diffraction
1 explain the meaning of the term diffraction
2 show an understanding of experiments that demonstrate diffraction including the
qualitative effect of the
gap width relative to the wavelength of the wave; for example diffraction of water
waves in a ripple tank
8.3 Interference
1 understand the terms interference and coherence
2 show an understanding of experiments that demonstrate two-source interference
using water waves in
a ripple tank, sound, light and microwaves
3 understand the conditions required if two-source interference fringes are to be
observed
4 recall and use λ = ax /D for double-slit interference using light
8.4 The diffraction grating
1 recall and use d sin θ = nλ
2 describe the use of a diffraction grating to determine the wavelength of light
(the structure and use of
the spectrometer are not included)
Subject content
9 Electricity
9.1 Electric current
1 understand that an electric current is a flow of charge carriers
2 understand that the charge on charge carriers is quantised
3 recall and use Q = It
4 use, for a current-carrying conductor, the expression I = Anvq, where n is the
number density of charge
carriers
9.2 Potential difference and power
1 define the potential difference across a component as the energy transferred per
unit charge
2 recall and use V = W/Q
3 recall and use P = VI, P = I2
R and P = V2 /R
9.3 Resistance and resistivity
1 define resistance
2 recall and use V = IR
3 sketch the I–V characteristics of a metallic conductor at constant temperature, a
semiconductor diode
and a filament lamp
4 explain that the resistance of a filament lamp increases as current increases
because its temperature
increases
5 state Ohm’s law
6 recall and use R = ρL/A
7 understand that the resistance of a light-dependent resistor (LDR) decreases as
the light intensity
increases
8 understand that the resistance of a thermistor decreases as the temperature
increases (it will be
assumed that thermistors have a negative temperature coefficient)
Subject content
10 D.C. circuits
10.1 Practical circuits
1 recall and use the circuit symbols shown in section 6 of this syllabus
2 draw and interpret circuit diagrams containing the circuit symbols shown in
section 6 of this syllabus
3 define and use the electromotive force (e.m.f.) of a source as energy transferred
per unit charge in
driving charge around a complete circuit
4 distinguish between e.m.f. and potential difference (p.d.) in terms of energy
considerations
5 understand the effects of the internal resistance of a source of e.m.f. on the
terminal potential difference
10.2 Kirchhoff’s laws
1 recall Kirchhoff’s first law and understand that it is a consequence of
conservation of charge
2 recall Kirchhoff’s second law and understand that it is a consequence of
conservation of energy
3 derive, using Kirchhoff’s laws, a formula for the combined resistance of two or
more resistors in series
4 use the formula for the combined resistance of two or more resistors in series
5 derive, using Kirchhoff’s laws, a formula for the combined resistance of two or
more resistors in parallel
6 use the formula for the combined resistance of two or more resistors in parallel
7 use Kirchhoff’s laws to solve simple circuit problems
10.3 Potential dividers
1 understand the principle of a potential divider circuit
2 recall and use the principle of the potentiometer as a means of comparing
potential differences
3 understand the use of a galvanometer in null methods
4 explain the use of thermistors and light-dependent resistors in potential
dividers to provide a potential
difference that is dependent on temperature and light intensity
Subject content
11 Particle physics
11.1 Atoms, nuclei and radiation
1 infer from the results of the α-particle scattering experiment the existence and
small size of the nucleus
2 describe a simple model for the nuclear atom to include protons, neutrons and
orbital electrons
3 distinguish between nucleon number and proton number
4 understand that isotopes are forms of the same element with different numbers of
neutrons in their
nuclei
5 understand and use the notation A
Z X for the representation of nuclides
6 understand that nucleon number and charge are conserved in nuclear processes
7 describe the composition, mass and charge of α-, β- and γ-radiations (both β–
(electrons) and β+
(positrons) are included)
8 understand that an antiparticle has the same mass but opposite charge to the
corresponding particle,
and that a positron is the antiparticle of an electron
9 state that (electron) antineutrinos are produced during β–
decay and (electron) neutrinos are produced
during β+
decay
10 understand that α-particles have discrete energies but that β-particles have a
continuous range of
energies because (anti)neutrinos are emitted in β-decay
11 represent α- and β-decay by a radioactive decay equation of the form U Th 92
238
90
234
2 " + 4α
12 use the unified atomic mass unit (u) as a unit of mass
11.2 Fundamental particles
1 understand that a quark is a fundamental particle and that there are six flavours
(types) of quark: up,
down, strange, charm, top and bottom
2 recall and use the charge of each flavour of quark and understand that its
respective antiquark has the
opposite charge (no knowledge of any other properties of quarks is required)
3 recall that protons and neutrons are not fundamental particles and describe
protons and neutrons in
terms of their quark composition
4 understand that a hadron may be either a baryon (consisting of three quarks) or a
meson (consisting of
one quark and one antiquark)
5 describe the changes to quark composition that take place during β–
and β+
decay
6 recall that electrons and neutrinos are fundamental particles called leptons
Subject content
A Level subject content
12 Motion in a circle
12.1 Kinematics of uniform circular motion
1 define the radian and express angular displacement in radians
2 understand and use the concept of angular speed
3 recall and use ω = 2π/T and v = rω
12.2 Centripetal acceleration
1 understand that a force of constant magnitude that is always perpendicular to the
direction of motion
causes centripetal acceleration
2 understand that centripetal acceleration causes circular motion with a constant
angular speed
3 recall and use a = rω2
and a = v2 /r
4 recall and use F = mrω2
and F = mv2 /r
13 Gravitational fields
13.1 Gravitational field
1 understand that a gravitational field is an example of a field of force and
define gravitational field as
force per unit mass
2 represent a gravitational field by means of field lines
13.2 Gravitational force between point masses
1 understand that, for a point outside a uniform sphere, the mass of the sphere may
be considered to be
a point mass at its centre
2 recall and use Newton’s law of gravitation F = Gm1m2 /r
2
for the force between two point masses
3 analyse circular orbits in gravitational fields by relating the gravitational
force to the centripetal
acceleration it causes
4 understand that a satellite in a geostationary orbit remains at the same point
above the Earth’s surface,
with an orbital period of 24 hours, orbiting from west to east, directly above the
Equator
Subject content
13.3 Gravitational field of a point mass
1 derive, from Newton’s law of gravitation and the definition of gravitational
field, the equation
g = GM/r
2
for the gravitational field strength due to a point mass
2 recall and use g = GM/r
2
3 understand why g is approximately constant for small changes in height near the
Earth’s surface
13.4 Gravitational potential
1 define gravitational potential at a point as the work done per unit mass in
bringing a small test mass
from infinity to the point
2 use ϕ = –GM/r for the gravitational potential in the field due to a point mass
3 understand how the concept of gravitational potential leads to the gravitational
potential energy of two
point masses and use EP = –GMm/r
14 Temperature
14.1 Thermal equilibrium
1 understand that (thermal) energy is transferred from a region of higher
temperature to a region of lower
temperature
2 understand that regions of equal temperature are in thermal equilibrium
14.2 Temperature scales
1 understand that a physical property that varies with temperature may be used for
the measurement of
temperature and state examples of such properties, including the density of a
liquid, volume of a gas at
constant pressure, resistance of a metal, e.m.f. of a thermocouple
2 understand that the scale of thermodynamic temperature does not depend on the
property of any
particular substance
3 convert temperatures between kelvin and degrees Celsius and recall that T/K = θ/
°C + 273.15
4 understand that the lowest possible temperature is zero kelvin on the
thermodynamic temperature
scale and that this is known as absolute zero
Subject content
14.3 Specific heat capacity and specific latent heat
1 define and use specific heat capacity
2 define and use specific latent heat and distinguish between specific latent heat
of fusion and specific
latent heat of vaporisation
15 Ideal gases
15.1 The mole
1 understand that amount of substance is an SI base quantity with the base unit mol
2 use molar quantities where one mole of any substance is the amount containing a
number of particles
of that substance equal to the Avogadro constant NA
15.2 Equation of state
1 understand that a gas obeying pV ∝ T, where T is the thermodynamic temperature,
is known as an
ideal gas
2 recall and use the equation of state for an ideal gas expressed as pV = nRT,
where n = amount of
substance (number of moles) and as pV = NkT, where N = number of molecules
3 recall that the Boltzmann constant k is given by k = R/NA
15.3 Kinetic theory of gases
1 state the basic assumptions of the kinetic theory of gases
2 explain how molecular movement causes the pressure exerted by a gas and derive
and use the
relationship pV = 3
1 Nm<c2
>, where <c2
> is the mean-square speed (a simple model considering
one-dimensional collisions and then extending to three dimensions using 3
1
<c2
> = <cx
2
> is sufficient)
3 understand that the root-mean-square speed cr.m.s. is given by < > c
2
4 compare pV = 3
1 Nm<c2
> with pV = NkT to deduce that the average translational kinetic energy of a
molecule is 2
3 kT, and recall and use this expression
Subject content
16 Thermodynamics
An understanding of energy from Cambridge IGCSE/O Level Physics or equivalent is
assumed.
16.1 Internal energy
1 understand that internal energy is determined by the state of the system and that
it can be expressed
as the sum of a random distribution of kinetic and potential energies associated
with the molecules of a
system
2 relate a rise in temperature of an object to an increase in its internal energy
16.2 The first law of thermodynamics
1 recall and use W = p∆V for the work done when the volume of a gas changes at
constant pressure and
understand the difference between the work done by the gas and the work done on the
gas
2 recall and use the first law of thermodynamics ∆U = q + W expressed in terms of
the increase in
internal energy, the heating of the system (energy transferred to the system by
heating) and the work
done on the system
17 Oscillations
17.1 Simple harmonic oscillations
1 understand and use the terms displacement, amplitude, period, frequency, angular
frequency and
phase difference in the context of oscillations, and express the period in terms of
both frequency and
angular frequency
2 understand that simple harmonic motion occurs when acceleration is proportional
to displacement
from a fixed point and in the opposite direction
3 use a = –ω2
x and recall and use, as a solution to this equation, x = x0 sin ωt
4 use the equations v = v0 cos ωt and v = ±ω ( ) x x 0
2 2 −
5 analyse and interpret graphical representations of the variations of
displacement, velocity and
acceleration for simple harmonic motion
Subject content
17.2 Energy in simple harmonic motion
1 describe the interchange between kinetic and potential energy during simple
harmonic motion
2 recall and use E = 2
1
mω2
x0
2
for the total energy of a system undergoing simple harmonic motion
17.3 Damped and forced oscillations, resonance
1 understand that a resistive force acting on an oscillating system causes damping
2 understand and use the terms light, critical and heavy damping and sketch
displacement–time graphs
illustrating these types of damping
3 understand that resonance involves a maximum amplitude of oscillations and that
this occurs when an
oscillating system is forced to oscillate at its natural frequency
18 Electric fields
18.1 Electric fields and field lines
1 understand that an electric field is an example of a field of force and define
electric field as force per
unit positive charge
2 recall and use F = qE for the force on a charge in an electric field
3 represent an electric field by means of field lines
18.2 Uniform electric fields
1 recall and use E = ∆V/∆d to calculate the field strength of the uniform field
between charged parallel
plates
2 describe the effect of a uniform electric field on the motion of charged
particles
Subject content
18.3 Electric force between point charges
1 understand that, for a point outside a spherical conductor, the charge on the
sphere may be
considered to be a point charge at its centre
2 recall and use Coulomb’s law F = Q1Q2 /(4πε0r
2
) for the force between two point charges in free space
18.4 Electric field of a point charge
1 recall and use E = Q/(4πε0r
2
) for the electric field strength due to a point charge in free space
18.5 Electric potential
1 define electric potential at a point as the work done per unit positive charge in
bringing a small test
charge from infinity to the point
2 recall and use the fact that the electric field at a point is equal to the
negative of potential gradient at
that point
3 use V = Q/(4πε0r) for the electric potential in the field due to a point charge
4 understand how the concept of electric potential leads to the electric potential
energy of two point
charges and use EP = Qq/(4πε0r)
19 Capacitance
19.1 Capacitors and capacitance
1 define capacitance, as applied to both isolated spherical conductors and to
parallel plate capacitors
2 recall and use C = Q/V
3 derive, using C = Q/V, formulae for the combined capacitance of capacitors in
series and in parallel
4 use the capacitance formulae for capacitors in series and in parallel
Subject content
19.2 Energy stored in a capacitor
1 determine the electric potential energy stored in a capacitor from the area under
the potential–charge
graph
2 recall and use W = 2
1 QV = 2
1 CV2
19.3 Discharging a capacitor
1 analyse graphs of the variation with time of potential difference, charge and
current for a capacitor
discharging through a resistor
2 recall and use τ = RC for the time constant for a capacitor discharging through a
resistor
3 use equations of the form x = x0 e–(t/RC)
where x could represent current, charge or potential difference
for a capacitor discharging through a resistor
20 Magnetic fields
20.1 Concept of a magnetic field
1 understand that a magnetic field is an example of a field of force produced
either by moving charges or
by permanent magnets
2 represent a magnetic field by field lines
20.2 Force on a current-carrying conductor
1 understand that a force might act on a current-carrying conductor placed in a
magnetic field
2 recall and use the equation F = BIL sin θ, with directions as interpreted by
Fleming’s left-hand rule
3 define magnetic flux density as the force acting per unit current per unit length
on a wire placed at rightangles to the magnetic field
Subject content
20.3 Force on a moving charge
1 determine the direction of the force on a charge moving in a magnetic field
2 recall and use F = BQv sin θ
3 understand the origin of the Hall voltage and derive and use the expression VH =
BI /(ntq),
where t = thickness
4 understand the use of a Hall probe to measure magnetic flux density
5 describe the motion of a charged particle moving in a uniform magnetic field
perpendicular to the
direction of motion of the particle
6 explain how electric and magnetic fields can be used in velocity selection
20.4 Magnetic fields due to currents
1 sketch magnetic field patterns due to the currents in a long straight wire, a
flat circular coil and a long
solenoid
2 understand that the magnetic field due to the current in a solenoid is increased
by a ferrous core
3 explain the origin of the forces between current-carrying conductors and
determine the direction of the
forces
20.5 Electromagnetic induction
1 define magnetic flux as the product of the magnetic flux density and the cross-
sectional area
perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic flux density
2 recall and use Φ = BA
3 understand and use the concept of magnetic flux linkage
4 understand and explain experiments that demonstrate:
• that a changing magnetic flux can induce an e.m.f. in a circuit
• that the induced e.m.f. is in such a direction as to oppose the change producing
it
• the factors affecting the magnitude of the induced e.m.f.
5 recall and use Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws of electromagnetic induction
Subject content
21 Alternating currents
An understanding of the practical and economic advantages of transmission of power
by electricity
from Cambridge IGCSE/O Level Physics or equivalent is assumed.
21.1 Characteristics of alternating currents
1 understand and use the terms period, frequency and peak value as applied to an
alternating current or
voltage
2 use equations of the form x = x0 sin ωt representing a sinusoidally alternating
current or voltage
3 recall and use the fact that the mean power in a resistive load is half the
maximum power for a
sinusoidal alternating current
4 distinguish between root-mean-square (r.m.s.) and peak values and recall and use
I r.m.s. = I0 / 2 and
Vr.m.s. = V0 / 2 for a sinusoidal alternating current
21.2 Rectification and smoothing
1 distinguish graphically between half-wave and full-wave rectification
2 explain the use of a single diode for the half-wave rectification of an
alternating current
3 explain the use of four diodes (bridge rectifier) for the full-wave rectification
of an alternating current
4 analyse the effect of a single capacitor in smoothing, including the effect of
the values of capacitance
and the load resistance
22 Quantum physics
22.1 Energy and momentum of a photon
1 understand that electromagnetic radiation has a particulate nature
2 understand that a photon is a quantum of electromagnetic energy
3 recall and use E = hf
4 use the electronvolt (eV) as a unit of energy
5 understand that a photon has momentum and that the momentum is given by p = E/c
Subject content
22.2 Photoelectric effect
1 understand that photoelectrons may be emitted from a metal surface when it is
illuminated by
electromagnetic radiation
2 understand and use the terms threshold frequency and threshold wavelength
3 explain photoelectric emission in terms of photon energy and work function energy
4 recall and use hf = Φ + 2
1
mvmax
2
5 explain why the maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons is independent of
intensity, whereas the
photoelectric current is proportional to intensity
22.3 Wave-particle duality
1 understand that the photoelectric effect provides evidence for a particulate
nature of electromagnetic
radiation while phenomena such as interference and diffraction provide evidence for
a wave nature
2 describe and interpret qualitatively the evidence provided by electron
diffraction for the wave nature of
particles
3 understand the de Broglie wavelength as the wavelength associated with a moving
particle
4 recall and use λ = h/p
22.4 Energy levels in atoms and line spectra
1 understand that there are discrete electron energy levels in isolated atoms (e.g.
atomic hydrogen)
2 understand the appearance and formation of emission and absorption line spectra
3 recall and use hf = E1 – E2
Subject content
23 Nuclear physics
23.1 Mass defect and nuclear binding energy
1 understand the equivalence between energy and mass as represented by E = mc2
and recall and use
this equation
2 represent simple nuclear reactions by nuclear equations of the form 7N He O H 14
2
4
8
17
1
1 + + "
3 define and use the terms mass defect and binding energy
4 sketch the variation of binding energy per nucleon with nucleon number
5 explain what is meant by nuclear fusion and nuclear fission
6 explain the relevance of binding energy per nucleon to nuclear reactions,
including nuclear fusion and
nuclear fission
7 calculate the energy released in nuclear reactions using E = c2
∆m
23.2 Radioactive decay
1 understand that fluctuations in count rate provide evidence for the random nature
of radioactive decay
2 understand that radioactive decay is both spontaneous and random
3 define activity and decay constant, and recall and use A = λN
4 define half-life
5 use λ = 0.693/t
2
1
6 understand the exponential nature of radioactive decay, and sketch and use the
relationship x = x0e–λt
,
where x could represent activity, number of undecayed nuclei or received count rate
Subject content
24 Medical physics
24.1 Production and use of ultrasound
1 understand that a piezo-electric crystal changes shape when a p.d. is applied
across it and that the
crystal generates an e.m.f. when its shape changes
2 understand how ultrasound waves are generated and detected by a piezoelectric
transducer
3 understand how the reflection of pulses of ultrasound at boundaries between
tissues can be used to
obtain diagnostic information about internal structures
4 define the specific acoustic impedance of a medium as Z = ρc, where c is the
speed of sound in the
medium
5 use IR / I0 = (Z1 – Z2)
2 /(Z1 + Z2)
2
for the intensity reflection coefficient of a boundary between two media
6 recall and use I = I0e–μx
for the attenuation of ultrasound in matter
24.2 Production and use of X-rays
1 explain that X-rays are produced by electron bombardment of a metal target and
calculate the minimum
wavelength of X-rays produced from the accelerating p.d.
2 understand the use of X-rays in imaging internal body structures, including an
understanding of the
term contrast in X-ray imaging
3 recall and use I = I0e–μx
for the attenuation of X-rays in matter
4 understand that computed tomography (CT) scanning produces a 3D image of an
internal structure
by first combining multiple X-ray images taken in the same section from different
angles to obtain a 2D
image of the section, then repeating this process along an axis and combining 2D
images of multiple
sections
Subject content
24.3 PET scanning
1 understand that a tracer is a substance containing radioactive nuclei that can be
introduced into the
body and is then absorbed by the tissue being studied
2 recall that a tracer that decays by β+
decay is used in positron emission tomography (PET scanning)
3 understand that annihilation occurs when a particle interacts with its
antiparticle and that mass–energy
and momentum are conserved in the process
4 explain that, in PET scanning, positrons emitted by the decay of the tracer
annihilate when they interact
with electrons in the tissue, producing a pair of gamma-ray photons travelling in
opposite directions
5 calculate the energy of the gamma-ray photons emitted during the annihilation of
an electron-positron
pair
6 understand that the gamma-ray photons from an annihilation event travel outside
the body and can
be detected, and an image of the tracer concentration in the tissue can be created
by processing the
arrival times of the gamma-ray photons
25 Astronomy and cosmology
25.1 Standard candles
1 understand the term luminosity as the total power of radiation emitted by a star
2 recall and use the inverse square law for radiant flux intensity F in terms of
the luminosity L of the source
F = L/(4πd2
)
3 understand that an object of known luminosity is called a standard candle
4 understand the use of standard candles to determine distances to galaxies
25.2 Stellar radii
1 recall and use Wien’s displacement law λmax ∝ 1/T to estimate the peak surface
temperature of a star
2 use the Stefan–Boltzmann law L = 4πσr
2
T4
3 use Wien’s displacement law and the Stefan–Boltzmann law to estimate the radius
of a star
Subject content
25.3 Hubble’s law and the Big Bang theory
1 understand that the lines in the emission and absorption spectra from distant
objects show an increase
in wavelength from their known values
2 use ∆λ / λ . ∆f/f . v /c for the redshift of electromagnetic radiation from a
source moving relative to an
observer
3 explain why redshift leads to the idea that the Universe is expanding
4 recall and use Hubble’s law v . H0d and explain how this leads to the Big Bang
theory
(candidates will only be required to use SI units)
4 Details of the assessment
Paper 1 Multiple Choice
Written paper, 1 hour 15 minutes, 40 marks
Forty multiple-choice items of the four-choice type testing assessment objectives
AO1 and AO2. Questions are
based on the AS Level syllabus content.
Paper 2 AS Level Structured Questions
Structured questions testing assessment objectives AO1 and AO2. Questions are based
on the AS Level
syllabus content.
Paper 3 Advanced Practical Skills
Practical test, 2 hours, 40 marks
This paper tests assessment objective AO3 in a practical context.
Two questions assess the AS Level practical skills in the Practical assessment
section of the syllabus. The
content of the questions may be outside the syllabus content.
Paper 4 A Level Structured Questions
Written paper, 2 hours, 100 marks
Structured questions testing assessment objectives AO1 and AO2.
Questions are based on the A Level syllabus; knowledge of material from the AS
Level syllabus content will be
required.
Paper 5 Planning, Analysis and Evaluation
Two questions testing assessment objective AO3.
Questions are based on the A Level practical skills of planning, analysis and
evaluation but may require
knowledge of practical skills from the AS Level syllabus. The content of the
questions may be outside of the
syllabus content.
Details of the assessment
Command words
Command words and their meanings help candidates know what is expected from them in
the exam. The table
below includes command words used in the assessment for this syllabus. The use of
the command word will
relate to the subject context.
Command word What it means
Calculate work out from given facts, figures or information
Comment give an informed opinion
Compare identify/comment on similarities and/or differences
Define give precise meaning
Describe state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features
Determine establish an answer using the information available
Explain set out purposes or reasons /make the relationships between things
evident/provide
why and/or how and support with relevant evidence
Give produce an answer from a given source or recall/memory
Identify name/select/recognise
Justify support a case with evidence/argument
Predict suggest what may happen based on available information
Show (that) provide structured evidence that leads to a given result
Sketch make a simple freehand drawing showing the key features
State express in clear terms
Suggest apply knowledge and understanding to situations where there are a range of
valid
responses in order to make proposals
5 Practical assessment
Introduction
Teachers should ensure that learners practise experimental skills throughout their
course of study. As a guide,
learners should spend at least 20 per cent of their time doing practical work
individually or in small groups. This
20 per cent does not include the time spent observing demonstrations of
experiments.
The practical work that learners do during their course should aim to:
• provide learning opportunities so they develop the skills they need to carry out
experimental and
investigative work
• reinforce their learning of the theoretical subject content of the syllabus
• instil an understanding of the relationship between experimentation and theory in
scientific method
• be enjoyable, contributing to the motivation of learners.
Candidates’ experimental skills will be assessed in Paper 3 and Paper 5. In each of
these papers, the questions
may be based on physics not included in the syllabus content, but candidates will
be assessed on their
practical skills rather than their knowledge of theory. Where appropriate,
candidates will be given any additional
information that they need.
Paper 3 Advanced Practical Skills
Paper 3 is a timetabled, laboratory-based practical paper focusing on the
experimental skills of:
• manipulation, measurement and observation
• presentation of data and observations
• analysis, conclusions and evaluation.
Centres should refer to the document ‘How to manage your sciences practical exams’
for advice on making
entries and organisation of candidates for practical exams.
Paper 3 consists of two questions, each of 1 hour and each of 20 marks.
Question 1 will be an experiment requiring candidates to collect data, to plot a
graph and to draw conclusions.
Question 2 will be an experiment requiring candidates to collect data and to draw
conclusions, but may or
may not include the plotting of a graph. In the second question, the experimental
method to be followed will be
inaccurate, and candidates will be required to evaluate the method and suggest
improvements.
The two questions will be set in different areas of physics. No prior knowledge of
the theory will be required.
Practical assessment
Mark allocations for Paper 3
Marks will be allocated for Paper 3 according to the table below. The expectations
for each skill are listed in the
sections that follow.
Question 1
Skill Breakdown of skills Minimum mark
allocation*
Manipulation, measurement and
observation
Successful collection of data
7 marks
Quality of data
Presentation of data and
observations
Table of results
Recording of data, observations and calculations 6 marks
Graph
Analysis, conclusions and
evaluation
Interpretation of graph
4 marks
Drawing conclusions
* The remaining 3 marks will be allocated across the skills in this grid and their
allocation may vary from paper
to paper.
Question 2
Skill Breakdown of skills Minimum mark
allocation*
Manipulation, measurement and
observation
5 marks
Quality of data
Presentation of data and
observations
Recording of data, observations and calculations 2 marks
evaluation
Drawing conclusions
10 marks
Estimating uncertainties
Identifying limitations
Suggesting improvements
* The remaining 3 marks will be allocated across the skills in this grid and their
allocation may vary from paper
to paper.
Expectations for each skill (Paper 3)
Manipulation, measurement and observation
• set up apparatus correctly without assistance from the supervisor
• follow instructions given in the form of written instructions and diagrams
(including circuit diagrams)
• use their apparatus to collect an appropriate quantity of data
• repeat readings where appropriate
• make measurements using common laboratory apparatus, such as millimetre scales,
protractors, top-pan
balances, newton meters, analogue or digital electrical meters, measuring
cylinders, calipers*, micrometer
screw gauges and thermometers
• use a stop-watch to measure intervals of time, including the period of an
oscillating system by timing an
appropriate number of consecutive oscillations
• use both analogue scales and digital displays.
* Where calipers are required in the examination, centres may provide either
vernier or digital calipers.
Candidates should be familiar with the type of calipers provided.
Some candidates will be unable to set up their apparatus without help and may ask
for assistance from the
supervisor. Supervisors will be given clear instructions on what assistance may be
given to candidates, but
this assistance should never go beyond the minimum necessary to enable candidates
to take some readings:
under no circumstances should help be given with the presentation of data, analysis
or evaluation sections. All
assistance must be reported to the examiners by recording details of the help given
on the supervisor’s report,
and candidates who require assistance will not be awarded full credit for the
successful collection of data.
Quality of data
• make and record accurate measurements
• make measurements that span the largest possible range of values within the
limits either of the equipment
provided or of the instructions given.
Marks will be awarded for measured data in which the values obtained are
reasonable. In some cases, the
award of the mark will be based on the scatter of points on a graph; in other
cases, the candidate’s data may
be compared with information supplied by the supervisor or known to the examiners.
The examiners will only
consider the extent to which the candidate has affected the quality of the data:
allowances will be made where
the quality of data is limited by the experimental method required or by the
apparatus used.
Presentation of data and observations
Table of results
• present numerical data and values in a single table of results
• record all data in the table
• draw up the table in advance of taking readings so that they do not have to copy
up their results
• include in the table of results columns for raw data and for values calculated
from them
• use column headings that include both the quantity and the unit and that conform
to accepted scientific
conventions.
As an example of accepted scientific convention in column headings, if the quantity
being measured is current
in milliamperes, then ‘I /mA’ would be the usual way to write the column heading,
but ‘I in mA’ or ‘I (mA)’ or
‘current/mA’ would be allowed. Headings such as ‘I mA’ or just ‘mA’ are not
acceptable. The quantity or the
unit or both may be written in words rather than symbols. Conventional symbols or
abbreviations (such as p.d.)
may be used without explanation.
Recording of data, observations and calculations
• record raw readings of a quantity to the same degree of precision
• calculate other quantities from their raw data
• show their working in calculations, and the key steps in their reasoning
• use and justify the correct number of significant figures in calculated
quantities.
For example, if one measurement of length in a column of raw data is given to the
nearest millimetre, then all
the lengths in that column should be given to the nearest millimetre. The degree of
precision used should be
compatible with the measuring instrument used: it would be inappropriate to record
a distance measured on a
millimetre scale as either ‘2cm’ or ‘2.00cm’.
When a value is calculated from measured quantities (except by addition or
subtraction), the appropriate
number of significant figures for the calculated value usually depends on the
measured quantity with the least
number of significant figures. If this quantity has n significant figures, then n
or n+1 significant figures are
appropriate for the calculated value.
For example, if values of a potential difference and of a current are measured to 2
and 4 significant figures
respectively, then the corresponding resistance should be given to 2 or 3
significant figures, but not 1 or 4. The
number of significant figures may, if necessary, vary down a column of values for a
calculated quantity.
Graph: Layout
• clearly label graph axes with both the quantity and the unit, following accepted
scientific conventions
• choose scales for graph axes such that the data points occupy at least half of
the graph grid in both x- and
y-directions
• use a false origin where appropriate
• choose scales for the graph axes that allow the graph to be read easily, such as
1, 2 or 5 units to a 2cm
square
• place regularly-spaced numerical labels along the whole of each axis at least
every 2cm.
The accepted scientific conventions for labelling the axes of a graph are the same
as for the column headings
in a table of results.
Graph: Plotting of points
• plot all their data points on their graph grid to an accuracy of better than 1mm.
Points should be finely drawn with a sharp pencil, but must still be visible. A
fine cross or an encircled dot is
suitable; plotted points should have a diameter of less than 1mm.
Graph: Trend line
• draw straight lines of best fit or curves to show the trend of a graph
• draw tangents to curved trend lines.
The trend line should show an even distribution of points on either side of the
line along its whole length. Lines
should be finely drawn, continuous, and with a thickness of less than 1mm, and
should not contain kinks. If
necessary, candidates may identify one point as anomalous and ignore this point
when drawing the line. The
anomalous point must be identified, e.g. circled or labelled.
Analysis, conclusions and evaluation
Interpretation of graph
• relate straight-line graphs to equations of the form y = mx + c, and derive
expressions that equate to the
gradient and/or the y-intercept of their graphs
• read the coordinates of points on the trend line of a graph
• determine the gradient of a straight-line graph or of a tangent to a curve
• determine the y-intercept of a straight-line graph or of a tangent to a curve,
including where these are on
graphs with a false origin.
When a gradient is to be determined, the points on the line chosen for the
calculation should be separated by
more than half of the length of the line drawn.
In cases where the y-intercept cannot be read directly from the y-axis, it is
expected that the coordinates of a
point on the line and the gradient will be substituted into y = mx + c to determine
the y-intercept.
Estimating uncertainties
• estimate the absolute uncertainty in measurements
• express the uncertainty in a measurement as an absolute or percentage
uncertainty, and translate between
these forms
• express the absolute uncertainty in a repeated measurement as half the range of
the repeated readings,
where this is appropriate.
Drawing conclusions
• draw conclusions from an experiment, including determining the values of
constants
• explain whether experimental data supports a given hypothesis
• make predictions.
To determine whether a relationship containing a constant is supported by
experimental data, candidates
should:
• calculate the percentage difference between values of the constant
• compare this percentage difference with a given percentage uncertainty
• give a conclusion based on this comparison.
Identifying limitations
• identify and describe the limitations in an experimental procedure
• identify the most significant sources of uncertainty in an experiment.
For uncertainties in measured quantities, candidates should state the quantity
being measured and a reason for
the uncertainty.
Suggesting improvements
• suggest modifications to an experimental arrangement that will improve the
accuracy of the experiment or
to extend the investigation to answer a new question
• describe these modifications clearly in words or diagrams.
Candidates’ suggestions should be realistic, so that in principle they are
achievable in practice in a school
laboratory. The suggestions may include the use of other apparatus or different
procedures, but not a different
experiment. The suggested modifications may relate to sources of uncertainty
identified by the candidate.
Improvements that could have been made with the apparatus provided while following
the instructions in the
question will not normally gain credit.
Administration of Paper 3
Detailed regulations on the administration of Cambridge International practical
examinations are contained in
the Cambridge Handbook.
Details of the specific requirements for apparatus and materials for a particular
examination are given in the
confidential instructions which are sent to centres several weeks prior to the
examination. Centres should
contact Cambridge International if they believe the confidential instructions have
not been received.
It is the responsibility of centres to provide the apparatus for practical
examinations. Cambridge is not able to
supply apparatus directly or provide advice on local suppliers of apparatus.
Apparatus and materials
Below is a list of the items that are regularly used in Paper 3. The list is not
exhaustive: other items are usually
required, to allow for variety in the questions set.
cells: 1.5V
connecting leads and crocodile clips
digital ammeter, minimum ranges 0–1A reading to 0.01A or better, 0–200mA reading to
0.1mA or better,
0–20mA reading to 0.01mA or better (digital multimeters are suitable)
digital voltmeter, minimum ranges 0–2V reading to 0.001V or better, 0–20V reading
to 0.01V or better (digital
multimeters are suitable)
lamp and holder: 6V 60mA; 2.5V 0.3A
power supply: variable up to 12V d.c. (low resistance)
rheostat (with a maximum resistance of at least 8Ω, capable of carrying a current
of at least 4A)
switch
wire: constantan 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38swg or similar metric sizes
long stem thermometer: –10°C to 110°C reading to 1°C
means to heat water safely to boiling (e.g. an electric kettle)
plastic or polystyrene cup 200cm3
stirrer
adhesive putty (e.g. Blu-tack)
adhesive tape (e.g. Sellotape)
balance reading to 0.1g (this item may often be shared between sets of apparatus)
bar magnet
bare copper wire: 18, 20, 26swg or similar metric sizes
beaker: 100cm3
, 200cm3
or 250cm3
card
expendable steel spring (spring constant approx. 25Nm–1; unstretched length approx.
2cm)
G-clamp
Magnadur ceramic magnets
mass hanger
micrometer screw gauge (this item may often be shared between sets of apparatus)
modelling clay (e.g. Plasticine)
newton meter (1N, 10N)
pendulum bob
protractor
pulley
rule with a millimetre scale (1m, 0.5m, 300mm)
scissors
slotted masses (100g, 50g, 20g, 10g)
stand, boss and clamp
stop-watch (candidates may use their wristwatches), reading to 0.1s or better
stout pin or round nail
string/thread/twine
vernier or digital calipers (this item may often be shared between sets of
apparatus)
wire cutters
Safety in the laboratory
Responsibility for safety matters rests with centres.
The attention of centres is drawn to any local regulations relating to safety and
first aid.
Paper 5 Planning, Analysis and Evaluation
Paper 5 will be a timetabled written paper, focusing on the higher-order
experimental skills of planning, analysis
and evaluation.
This examination will not require laboratory facilities.
To prepare candidates for this exam, it should be emphasised that candidates will
need extensive experience
of laboratory work of A Level standard. In particular, learners cannot be taught to
plan experiments effectively
unless, on a number of occasions, they are required to:
• plan an experiment
• perform the experiment according to their plan
• evaluate what they have done.
This requires many hours of laboratory-based work and careful supervision from
teachers to ensure that
experiments are performed safely.
Paper 5 will consist of two questions each of 15 marks.
Question 1 will be a planning question, in which candidates will be required to
design an experimental
investigation of a given problem. The question will not be highly structured:
candidates will be expected to
answer with a diagram and an extended piece of writing.
Question 2 will be an analysis, conclusions and evaluation question, in which
candidates will be given an
equation and some experimental data. From these they will be required to find the
value of a constant. This
question will be structured but candidates will be expected to decide for
themselves what they need to do in
order to reach an answer. They will also be required to estimate the uncertainty in
their answer.
Some questions on this paper may be set in areas of physics that are difficult to
investigate experimentally in
school laboratories, either because of the cost of equipment or because of
restrictions on the availability of
materials (e.g. radioactive materials). No question will require knowledge of
theory or equipment that is beyond
the syllabus. Candidates will be given the necessary information for questions set
on topics that do not form
part of the syllabus.
Mark allocations for Paper 5
Marks will be allocated for Paper 5 according to the table below. The expectations
for each skill are listed in the
sections that follow.
Question 1
Skill Breakdown of skills Mark
allocation
Planning
Defining the problem
15 marks
Methods of data collection
Method of analysis
Additional detail including safety considerations
Question 2
Skill Breakdown of skills Mark
allocation
evaluation
Data analysis
15 marks
Table of results
Graph
Conclusion
Treatment of uncertainties
Expectations for each skill (Paper 5)
Planning
Defining the problem
• identify the independent variable in the experiment
• identify the dependent variable in the experiment
• identify the variables that are to be kept constant.
Methods of data collection
• describe the method to be used to vary the independent variable
• describe how the independent and dependent variables are to be measured
• describe how other variables are to be kept constant
• describe, with the aid of a clear labelled diagram, the arrangement of apparatus
for the experiment and the
procedures to be followed.
For full credit to be awarded in this section, the overall arrangement must be
workable, that is, it should be
possible to collect the data required without undue difficulty if the apparatus
were assembled as described.
The measuring instruments chosen should be fit for purpose, in that they should
measure the correct physical
quantity to a suitable precision for the experiment.
Method of analysis
• describe how the data should be used in order to reach a conclusion, including
details of derived quantities
to be calculated from graphs.
Additional detail including safety considerations
Marks will be available for additional relevant detail including safety
precautions.
How these marks are awarded will depend on the experiment that is to be planned,
but they might, for
example, include marks for describing how additional variables are to be kept
constant, or for a diagram of a
circuit needed to make a particular measurement or a description of initial
experiments or an explanation of
how to obtain calibration curves.
For safety considerations, candidates should be able to:
• assess the risks of their experiment
• describe precautions that should be taken to keep risks to a minimum.
• describe the use of an oscilloscope (or storage oscilloscope) to measure voltage,
current, time and
frequency
• describe how to use light gates connected to a data logger to determine time,
velocity and acceleration
• describe how other sensors can be used with a data logger, e.g. motion sensor.
Analysis, conclusions and evaluation
Data analysis
• rearrange expressions into the forms y = mx + c, y = axn
and y = aekx
• understand how a graph of y against x is used to find the constants m and c in an
equation of the form
y = mx + c
• understand how a graph of log y against log x is used to find the constants a and
n in an equation of the
form y = axn
• understand how a graph of ln y against x is used to find the constants a and k in
an equation of the form
y = aekx
• decide what derived quantities to calculate from raw data in order to enable an
appropriate graph to be
plotted.
Table of results
• complete a table of results following the conventions required for Paper 3
• calculate other quantities from raw data and record them in a table
• use the correct number of significant figures for calculated quantities following
the conventions required for
Paper 3.
Where logarithms are required, units should be shown with the quantity whose
logarithm is being taken,
e.g. ln (d/cm). The logarithm itself does not have a unit.
For logarithmic quantities, the number of decimal places should correspond to the
number of significant figures.
For example, if L/cm is 76.5 (3sf), then lg (L/cm) should be either 1.884 (3dp) or
1.8837 (4dp).
Graph
• plot a graph following the conventions required for Paper 3
• show error bars, in both directions where appropriate, for each point on the
graph
• draw a straight line of best fit and a worst acceptable straight line through the
points on the graph.
The worst acceptable line should be either the steepest possible line or the
shallowest possible line that passes
through the error bars of all the data points. It should be distinguished from the
line of best fit either by being
drawn as a broken line or by being clearly labelled.
Conclusion
• determine the gradient and y-intercept of a straight-line graph
• derive expressions that equate to the gradient or the y-intercept of their
straight lines of best fit
• draw the required conclusions, with correct units and appropriate number of
significant figures, from these
expressions.
Treatment of uncertainties
• convert absolute uncertainty estimates into fractional or percentage uncertainty
estimates and vice versa
• show uncertainty estimates, in absolute terms, beside every value in a table of
results
• calculate uncertainty estimates in derived quantities
• estimate the absolute uncertainty in the gradient of a graph by recalling that
absolute uncertainty = gradient of line of best fit – gradient of worst acceptable
line
• estimate the absolute uncertainty in the y-intercept of a graph by recalling that
absolute uncertainty = y-intercept of line of best fit – y-intercept of worst
acceptable line
• express a quantity as a value, an uncertainty estimate and a unit.
6 Additional information
Mathematical requirements
We expect candidates to be able to use the following mathematical skills and
knowledge in the assessment.
Teaching the mathematical requirements should be included in the AS & A Level
Physics course.
At AS Level and A Level
Arithmetic
• recognise and use expressions in decimal and standard form (scientific) notation
• use a calculator for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, and find
arithmetic means, powers
(including reciprocals and nth-roots), sines, cosines, tangents (and the inverse
functions)
• understand how to perform calculations so that significant figures are neither
lost unnecessarily nor carried
beyond what is justified
• use approximations to check the magnitude of calculated results.
Algebra
• change the subject of an equation (most relevant equations involve only the
simpler operations but may
include positive and negative indices and nth-roots)
• solve simple algebraic equations
• solve a system of two linear simultaneous equations
• recall and use the formula x
a
b b ac
2
4 2 ! = - - to solve quadratic equations
• substitute physical quantities into physical equations using consistent units and
check the dimensional
consistency of such equations
• set up simple algebraic equations as mathematical models of physical situations,
and identify inadequacies
of such models
• use percentages to express changes or uncertainties
• understand and use the symbols <, >, ∝ , ⩾ , ≪ , ≫ , ., ±, /, ∝, 〈x〉 ( ) = xr , /,
∆x, , n .
Geometry and trigonometry
• recall and use formulae for the area and perimeter/circumference of rectangles,
circles, right-angled and
isosceles triangles
• recall and use formulae for the volume and surface area of cuboids, cylinders and
spheres
• recall and use Pythagoras’ theorem in 2 and 3 dimensions
• use the similarity of triangles and the angle sum of a triangle
• understand and use the definitions of sin, cos and tan as applied to a right-
angled triangle, and recall and
use the relationship sin θ/cos θ = tan θ
• recall and use the trigonometric relationships for triangles a/sin A = b/sin B =
c/sin C and
a2
= b2
+ c2
– 2bc cos A.
Additional information
Vectors
• find the resultant of two coplanar vectors, recognising situations where vector
addition is appropriate
• obtain expressions for components of a vector in perpendicular directions,
recognising situations where
vector resolution is appropriate.
Graphs
• select appropriate variables and scales for graph plotting
• determine the gradient, intercept and intersection of linear graphs
• choose, by inspection, a straight line which will serve as the line of best fit
through a set of data points
presented graphically
• draw a curved trend line through a set of data points presented graphically, when
the arrangement of these
data points is clearly indicative of a non-linear relationship
• sketch and recognise the forms of plots of common simple expressions like
1
x, x2
, 1
x2 , sinx, cos x
• draw a tangent to a curve, and understand and use the gradient of the tangent as
a means to obtain the
gradient of the curve at a point
• understand and use the area below a curve where the area has physical
significance.
Additional requirements for A Level only
Geometry and trigonometry
• recall and use sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1
• recall and use sin θ ≈ tan θ ≈ θ and cos θ ≈ 1 for small θ
• understand the relationship between degrees and radians, convert from one to the
other and use the
appropriate system in context.
Exponentials and logarithms
• calculate exponentials and logarithms (lg and ln)
• recognise and use the logarithms of expressions like ab, b
a , xn
, ekx
• sketch and recognise the form of a plot of e–x
• use logarithmic plots to test exponential and power law variations
Summary of key quantities, symbols and units
The list below is intended as a guide to the more important quantities which might
be encountered in teaching
and used in question papers.
This list is for use in both AS Level and full A Level qualifications.
Quantity Usual symbols Usual unit
Base quantities
mass m kg
length l m
time t s
electric current I A
thermodynamic temperature T K
amount of substance n mol
Other quantities
acceleration a ms–2
acceleration of free fall g ms–2
activity of radioactive source A Bq
amplitude x0 m
angle θ °, rad
angular displacement θ °, rad
angular frequency ω rads–1
angular speed ω rads–1
angular velocity ω rads–1
area A m2
atomic mass ma kg, u
attenuation/absorption coefficient μ m–1
Avogadro constant NA mol–1
Boltzmann constant k JK–1
capacitance C F
Celsius temperature θ °C
decay constant λ s–1
density ρ kgm–3
displacement s, x m
distance d m
efficiency η
electric charge q, Q C
electric field strength E NC–1, Vm–1
electric potential V V
electric potential difference V V
electromotive force E V
electron mass me kg, u
elementary charge e C
energy E, U, W J
force F N
frequency f Hz
gravitational constant G Nm2 kg–2
gravitational field strength g Nkg–1
gravitational potential ϕ J kg–1
half-life t 2
1 s
Hall voltage VH V
heating q, Q J
Hubble constant H0 s–1
intensity I Wm–2
internal energy change ∆U J
kinetic energy EK J
luminosity L W
magnetic flux Φ Wb
magnetic flux density B T
mean-square speed <c2
> m2 s–2
molar gas constant R Jmol–1K–1
moment of force T Nm
momentum p Ns
neutron mass mn kg, u
neutron number N
nucleon number A
number N, n, m
number density (number per unit volume) n m–3
period T s
permittivity of free space ε0 Fm–1
phase difference ϕ °, rad
Planck constant h Js
potential energy EP J
power P W
pressure p Pa
proton mass mp kg, u
proton number Z
radiant flux intensity F Wm–2
resistance R Ω
resistivity ρ Ω m
specific acoustic impedance Z kgm–2 s–1
specific heat capacity c J kg–1K–1
specific latent heat L J kg–1
speed u, v, w, c ms–1
speed of electromagnetic waves c ms–1
spring constant k Nm–1
Stefan–Boltzmann constant σ Wm–2K–4
strain ε
stress σ Pa
time constant τ s
torque T Nm
velocity u, v, w, c ms–1
volume V, v m3
wavelength λ m
weight W N
work w, W J
work function energy Φ J
Young modulus E Pa
Data and formulae
The following data and formulae will appear on page 2 in Papers 1, 2 and 4.
Data
acceleration of free fall g = 9.81 m s–2
speed of light in free space c = 3.00 × 108
m s–1
elementary charge e = 1.60 × 10–19 C
unified atomic mass unit 1 u = 1.66 × 10–27 kg
rest mass of proton mp = 1.67 × 10–27 kg
rest mass of electron me = 9.11 × 10–31 kg
Avogadro constant NA = 6.02 × 1023 mol–1
molar gas constant R = 8.31 J K–1 mol–1
Boltzmann constant k = 1.38 × 10–23 J K–1
gravitational constant G = 6.67 × 10–11 N m2
kg–2
permittivity of free space ε0 = 8.85 × 10–12 F m–1
(4
1
0 rf
= 8.99 × 109
m F–1)
Planck constant h = 6.63 × 10–34 J s
Stefan–Boltzmann constant σ = 5.67 × 10–8 W m–2 K–4
Formulae
uniformly accelerated motion s = ut + 2
1 at2
v2
= u2
+ 2as
upthrust F = ρgV
Doppler effect for sound waves f
o = v v
f v
s
s
!
electric current I = Anvq
resistors in series R = R1 + R2 + ...
1119702 Physics AS Level data sheet for Papers 1 and 2
Planck constant h = 6.63 × 10–34 J s
Stefan–Boltzmann constant σ = 5.67 × 10–8 W m–2 K–4
Formulae
uniformly accelerated motion s = ut + 2
1 at2
v2
= u2
+ 2as
upthrust F = ρgV
Doppler effect for sound waves f
o = v v
f v
s
s
!
electric current I = Anvq
resistors in series R = R1 + R2 + ...
resistors in parallel R
1
= R
1
1
+ R
1
2
+ ...
The following formulae will appear on page 3 in Paper 4.
gravitational potential ϕ = – r
GM
gravitational potential energy EP = – r
GMm
pressure of an ideal gas p = V
Nm
3
1 〈c2
〉
simple harmonic motion a = –ω
2
x
velocity of particle in s.h.m. v = v0 cosωt
v = ±ω ( ) x x 0
2 2 −
electric potential V = r
Q
4 0 rf
electrical potential energy EP = r
Qq
4 0 rf
capacitors in series C
1 = C
1
1
+ C
1
2
+ ...
capacitors in parallel C = C1 + C2 + ...
discharge of a capacitor x = x e RC
t
0
-
Hall voltage VH = I
ntq
B
alternating current/voltage x = x0 sinωt
radioactive decay x = x0e–mt
decay constant m = .
t
0 693
2
1
intensity reflection coefficient I
IR
0
= ( )
( )
Z Z
Z Z
1 2
2
1 2
2 −
+
Stefan–Boltzmann law L = 4πσr 2
T4
Doppler redshift m
Dm ≈ f
Df ≈ c
v
9702 Physics A Level data sheet for Paper 4
Circuit symbols
The following table gives a guide to the circuit symbols that may be used in
examination papers.
cell switch
battery of cells or earth
power supply electric bell
a.c. power supply buzzer
junction of conductors microphone
lamp loudspeaker
fixed resistor motor M
variable resistor generator G
thermistor ammeter A
light-dependent resistor voltmeter V
heater galvanometer
potentiometer oscilloscope
diode capacitor
light-emitting diode

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