How to Revise A-Level Physics
Tackle A-Level Physics with practice on mechanics, fields, quantum physics, and astrophysics. Full worked solutions included.
Revision Strategy
Revising Physics requires a blend of memorisation and understanding. You need to recall key facts, definitions, and processes, but you also need to understand the underlying principles well enough to apply them to unfamiliar scenarios. Start each topic by learning the core concepts, then test yourself with application questions that require you to use your knowledge in new contexts.
Diagrams are one of the most powerful revision tools for Physics. Whether it is the structure of a cell, an energy level diagram, or a circuit, being able to draw and label diagrams from memory cements your understanding far more effectively than re-reading text. Practise reproducing key diagrams until you can do so accurately without any reference material.
Do not neglect the practical and mathematical elements. Physics exams include questions on required practicals and expect you to perform calculations confidently. Practise interpreting data tables, plotting graphs, calculating rates and percentages, and evaluating experimental methods. These skills are tested every year and are straightforward marks if you have prepared.
Study Tips for A-Level Physics
- ✓ Derive equations rather than just memorising them — understanding how v = u + at connects to the area under a velocity-time graph, for example, deepens your understanding and helps you apply formulae in unfamiliar contexts.
- ✓ For every problem, start by drawing a clear diagram, labelling all known quantities with units, and identifying what you need to find. This structured approach prevents you from diving into calculations without a clear plan.
- ✓ Practise unit analysis (dimensional analysis) as a checking tool. If your answer for energy comes out in metres per second, you know something has gone wrong before you even check the numbers.
- ✓ When revising fields topics, compare and contrast gravitational and electric fields side by side — the mathematical structures are almost identical, and understanding the parallels helps you learn both more efficiently.
Exam Tips for A-Level Physics
- ✓ Always state the equation you are using before substituting values. Examiners award marks for selecting the correct equation, and if your arithmetic goes wrong, you still collect method marks.
- ✓ In explain or describe questions, use precise physics vocabulary and refer to specific laws or principles by name. Saying the force increases is weaker than saying by Newton s second law the resultant force produces a greater acceleration.
- ✓ Check your answers for reasonableness. If you calculate that a car accelerates at 500 m/s squared, or that a wavelength of light is 3 metres, something has clearly gone wrong — use common sense as a final check.
Topics to Cover
10 topics in A-Level Physics
Frequently Asked Questions
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