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AQA A-level Physics (7408) revision

Everything here is free and covers AQA 7408: illustrated notes for every topic, original exam-style questions with mark schemes, the practicals, flashcards and printable workbooks. The explanations are written once and shared by every board; this page is where you find out exactly which of them AQA asks you for.

Start with the topic notes · exam-style questions with mark schemes · the practicals · the equations · the definitions · flashcards · a revision checklist · where the real past papers are.

Specification map

Every row of the AQA outline, in the board's own order: these are AQA's outline headings, each linked to the lesson that covers it.

What one row is, exactly. AQA numbers its subject content down to headings such as 3.1.1 and then writes the requirements as prose beneath them. A row here is one of those headings, so a single row can stand for several separate things the paper may ask for. A link says this library teaches that row somewhere; it is not a depth audit, so a linked row means the topic is here and not that it is covered to the length the paper may demand.

The four boards publish at different grains, so a row of one map is not a row of another: this reading of the AQA specification was last checked on 12 August 2026. Where you find a row thinner than your exam needs, tell us and it goes on the list.

3.1 · MEASUREMENTS AND THEIR ERRORS

3.1.1 Use of SI units and their prefixes · SI base and derived units · Prefixes, labels and unit conversions
3.1.2 Limitation of physical measurements · Uncertainty and error
3.1.3 Estimation of physical quantities · Estimation and orders of magnitude

3.2 · PARTICLES AND RADIATION

3.2.1.1 Constituents of the atom · Constituents of the atom
3.2.1.2 Stable and unstable nuclei · Stable and unstable nuclei
3.2.1.3 Particles, antiparticles and photons · Antimatter and photons
3.2.1.4 Particle interactions · Particle interactions and exchange particles
3.2.1.5 Classification of particles · Classification of particles
3.2.1.6 Quarks and antiquarks · Quarks and the hadrons built from them · Decays at quark level
3.2.1.7 Applications of conservation laws · The conserved quantities · Energy, momentum and particle tracks
3.2.2.1 The photoelectric effect · The photoelectric effect and the photon · The photoelectric graph and measuring h
3.2.2.2 Collisions of electrons with atoms · Collisions of electrons with atoms
3.2.2.3 Energy levels and photon emission · Energy levels and photon emission
3.2.2.4 Wave-particle duality · Wave-particle duality

3.3 · WAVES

3.3.1.1 Progressive waves · Progressive waves
3.3.1.2 Longitudinal and transverse waves · Longitudinal and transverse waves · Polarisation and electromagnetic waves
3.3.1.3 Superposition and stationary waves · Stationary waves on strings · Stationary waves in air columns
3.3.2.1 Interference · Interference and Young's double slit
3.3.2.2 Diffraction · Diffraction and the single slit · Diffraction gratings
3.3.2.3 Refraction at a plane surface · Refraction and Snell's law · Total internal reflection and optical fibres

3.4 · MECHANICS AND MATERIALS

3.4.1.1 Scalars and vectors · Scalars and vectors · Mass and weight
3.4.1.2 Moments · Moments and equilibrium
3.4.1.3 Motion along a straight line · Motion graphs and the SUVAT equations
3.4.1.4 Projectile motion · Projectile motion · Drag and terminal speed
3.4.1.5 Newton's laws of motion · Newton's laws and the resultant force
3.4.1.6 Momentum · Momentum and impulse
3.4.1.7 Work, energy and power · Work, energy and power
3.4.1.8 Conservation of energy · Conservation of energy
3.4.2.1 Bulk properties of solids · Density and Hooke's law
3.4.2.2 The Young modulus · Stress, strain and the Young modulus

3.5 · ELECTRICITY

3.5.1.1 Basics of electricity · Current, charge and potential difference · Charge carriers, drift speed and resistance
3.5.1.2 Current-voltage characteristics · Current-voltage characteristics
3.5.1.3 Resistivity · Resistivity and temperature · Light-dependent resistors and superconductivity
3.5.1.4 Circuits · Circuit symbols and Kirchhoff's laws · Series, parallel and power
3.5.1.5 The potential divider · The potential divider and its output · Sensing circuits and the potentiometer
3.5.1.6 EMF and internal resistance · EMF and internal resistance

3.6 · FURTHER MECHANICS AND THERMAL PHYSICS

3.6.1.1 Circular motion · Circular motion
3.6.1.2 Simple harmonic motion · Simple harmonic motion
3.6.1.3 Simple harmonic systems · The mass on a spring and the simple pendulum · Energy in an oscillation and damping
3.6.1.4 Forced vibrations and resonance · Forced vibrations and resonance
3.6.2.1 Thermal energy transfer · Internal energy and changes of state · Specific heat capacity and latent heat
3.6.2.2 Ideal gases · Ideal gases and the gas laws
3.6.2.3 Molecular kinetic theory model · The kinetic theory model and its derivation · What temperature means for a gas

3.7 · FIELDS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES

3.7.1 The concept of a field · The field concept · Comparing electric and gravitational fields
3.7.2.1 Newton's law of gravitation · Newton's law of gravitation
3.7.2.2 Gravitational field strength · Newton's law of gravitation
3.7.2.3 Gravitational potential · Gravitational potential
3.7.2.4 Orbits of planets and satellites · Orbits and satellites
3.7.3.1 Coulomb's law · Coulomb's law and electric field strength · Comparing electric and gravitational fields
3.7.3.2 Electric field strength · Coulomb's law and electric field strength
3.7.3.3 Electric potential · Electric potential
3.7.4.1 Capacitance · Capacitors and the dielectric
3.7.4.2 Parallel plate capacitor · Capacitors and the dielectric
3.7.4.3 Energy stored by a capacitor · Energy stored and capacitor combinations
3.7.4.4 Capacitor charge and discharge · Charging and discharging · The time constant and exponential decay
3.7.5.1 Magnetic flux density · Magnetic flux density and the force on a wire
3.7.5.2 Moving charges in a magnetic field · Force on a moving charge
3.7.5.3 Magnetic flux and flux linkage · Magnetic flux and flux linkage
3.7.5.4 Electromagnetic induction · Electromagnetic induction: Faraday and Lenz
3.7.5.5 Alternating currents · Alternating currents
3.7.5.6 The operation of a transformer · Transformers

3.8 · NUCLEAR PHYSICS

3.8.1.1 Rutherford scattering · Rutherford scattering and the nuclear model
3.8.1.2 Alpha, beta and gamma radiation · Alpha, beta and gamma radiation
3.8.1.3 Radioactive decay · Radioactive decay and the decay constant
3.8.1.4 Nuclear instability · Half-life and nuclear instability
3.8.1.5 Nuclear radius · Nuclear radius and density
3.8.1.6 Mass and energy · Mass-energy and binding energy · Fission and fusion
3.8.1.7 Induced fission · Fission and fusion · Nuclear reactors and safety
3.8.1.8 Safety aspects · Nuclear reactors and safety

3.9 · ASTROPHYSICS (OPTION)

3.9.1.1 The astronomical refracting telescope · The astronomical refracting telescope
3.9.1.2 Reflecting telescopes · Reflecting telescopes
3.9.1.3 Telescopes beyond the visible · Telescopes beyond the visible
3.9.1.4 Collecting power and resolving power · Resolving power, collecting power and the CCD
3.9.2.1 Apparent magnitude · The apparent magnitude scale
3.9.2.2 Absolute magnitude and standard candles · Stellar distances and absolute magnitude
3.9.2.3 Black-body radiation · Black-body radiation and spectral classes
3.9.2.4 Spectral classes · Black-body radiation and spectral classes
3.9.2.5 The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram · The HR diagram and the life of Sun-like stars
3.9.2.6 Supernovae, neutron stars and black holes · Supernovae, neutron stars and black holes
3.9.3.1 Doppler effect and redshift · The Doppler effect and red shift
3.9.3.2 Hubble's law and the Big Bang · Hubble's law and the Big Bang
3.9.3.3 Quasars · Quasars
3.9.3.4 Detection of exoplanets · Detecting exoplanets

3.10 · MEDICAL PHYSICS (OPTION)

3.10.1.1 Physics of vision · The eye as an optical system
3.10.1.2 Defects of vision and their correction using lenses · Defects of vision and their correction
3.10.2.1 Ear as a sound detection system · The ear and the transmission of sound
3.10.2.2 Sensitivity and frequency response · Intensity, loudness and the decibel scale
3.10.2.3 Defects of hearing · Intensity, loudness and the decibel scale
3.10.3.1 Simple ECG machines and the normal ECG waveform · Biological measurement
3.10.4.1 Ultrasound imaging · Ultrasound imaging
3.10.4.2 Fibre optics and endoscopy · MR scanning and the endoscope
3.10.4.3 Magnetic resonance (MR) scanner · MR scanning and the endoscope
3.10.5.1 The physics of diagnostic X-rays · The physics of diagnostic X-rays
3.10.5.2 Image detection and enhancement · X-ray detectors and CT scanning
3.10.5.3 Absorption of X-rays · The physics of diagnostic X-rays
3.10.5.4 CT scanner · X-ray detectors and CT scanning
3.10.6.1 Imaging techniques · Radionuclide imaging and the gamma camera · PET scanning and radiotherapy
3.10.6.2 Half-life · Radionuclide imaging and the gamma camera
3.10.6.3 Gamma camera · Radionuclide imaging and the gamma camera
3.10.6.4 Use of high-energy X-rays · PET scanning and radiotherapy
3.10.6.5 Use of radioactive implants · PET scanning and radiotherapy
3.10.6.6 Imaging comparisons · PET scanning and radiotherapy

3.11 · ENGINEERING PHYSICS (OPTION)

3.11.1.1 Concept of moment of inertia · Moment of inertia and rotational kinetic energy
3.11.1.2 Rotational kinetic energy · Moment of inertia and rotational kinetic energy
3.11.1.3 Rotational motion · Rotational motion and the angular equations
3.11.1.4 Torque and angular acceleration · Torque and angular acceleration
3.11.1.5 Angular momentum · Angular momentum and rotational power
3.11.1.6 Work and power in rotating systems · Angular momentum and rotational power
3.11.2.1 First law of thermodynamics · The first law and its sign convention
3.11.2.2 Non-flow processes · Non-flow processes and p-V diagrams
3.11.2.3 The p-V diagram · Non-flow processes and p-V diagrams
3.11.2.4 Engine cycles · Heat engines and their efficiency
3.11.2.5 Second Law and engines · Heat engines and their efficiency · Heat pumps and combined heat and power
3.11.2.6 Reversed heat engines · Heat pumps and combined heat and power

3.12 · TURNING POINTS IN PHYSICS (OPTION)

3.12.1.1 Discovery of the electron: cathode rays · Cathode rays and the electron gun
3.12.1.2 Thermionic emission of electrons · Cathode rays and the electron gun
3.12.1.3 Specific charge of the electron · The specific charge of the electron
3.12.1.4 Millikan's determination of the electronic charge · Millikan's oil drop experiment
3.12.2.1 Newton's corpuscular theory of light · Corpuscles, waves and Young's fringes
3.12.2.2 Significance of Young's double slits · Corpuscles, waves and Young's fringes
3.12.2.3 Electromagnetic waves · Electromagnetic waves and the speed of light
3.12.2.4 The discovery of photoelectricity · Quanta and the photoelectric effect
3.12.2.5 Wave-particle duality · Matter waves and electron microscopes
3.12.2.6 Electron microscopes · Matter waves and electron microscopes
3.12.3.1 The Michelson-Morley experiment · The Michelson-Morley experiment
3.12.3.2 Einstein's theory of special relativity · The Michelson-Morley experiment
3.12.3.3 Time dilation · Time dilation and muon decay
3.12.3.4 Length contraction · Length contraction, mass and energy
3.12.3.5 Mass and energy · Length contraction, mass and energy

3.13 · ELECTRONICS (OPTION)

3.13.1.1 MOSFET (metal-oxide semiconducting field-effect transistor) · The MOSFET as a switch
3.13.1.2 Zener diode · Zener diodes and semiconductor sensors
3.13.1.3 Photodiode · Zener diodes and semiconductor sensors
3.13.1.4 Hall effect sensor · Zener diodes and semiconductor sensors
3.13.2.1 Difference between analogue and digital signals · The ideal op-amp and the comparator
3.13.3.1 LC resonance filters · Tuned circuits and the Q factor · Band-pass, band-stop and RC filters
3.13.3.2 The ideal operational amplifier · The ideal op-amp and the comparator
3.13.4.1 Operational amplifier in inverting amplifier configuration · Negative feedback amplifiers
3.13.4.2 Operational amplifier in non-inverting amplifier configuration · Negative feedback amplifiers
3.13.4.3 Operational amplifier in summing amplifier configuration · Summing and difference amplifiers
3.13.4.4 Real operational amplifiers · The ideal op-amp and the comparator · Negative feedback amplifiers
3.13.5.1 Combinational logic · Combinational logic
3.13.5.2 Sequential logic · Flip-flops, counters and clocks
3.13.5.3 Astables · Flip-flops, counters and clocks
3.13.6.1 Principles of communication systems · Modulation and PCM · Radio propagation and data security
3.13.6.2 Transmission media · Radio propagation and data security
3.13.6.3 Time-division multiplexing · Radio propagation and data security
3.13.6.4 Amplitude (AM) and frequency modulation (FM) techniques · Modulation and PCM

Each row is a short label for one outcome on the board's own list; some sit close to the board's wording and some are our paraphrase. The codes are the board's so you can look the outcome up. A link means the lesson teaches that outcome, not the group it sits in, and it does not promise the same depth the board asks for. The specification itself is the authority: check it when a mark depends on it.