Physics
British Curriculum · A Level · Pearson / Edexcel
Select curriculum
Select subject
Select exam board
A Level is broadly equivalent to Grade 12 American · Class 12 CBSE · Diploma Programme IB
Physics — A Level
British Curriculum · Pearson · Years 12-13 · Ages 16-18
Pearson Edexcel International A Level Physics (YPH11) is unit-based across six units, with practical skills assessed through written practical papers rather than a laboratory examination.
Content covers mechanics and materials; waves and electricity; practical skills; further mechanics, fields and particles; thermodynamics, radiation, oscillations and cosmology; and a second practical unit.
Edexcel's treatment is context-led, framing physics through applications such as materials engineering, medical physics and cosmology. The mathematical demand is substantial throughout, and taking A Level Mathematics alongside it makes a noticeable difference.
Key topics covered
- Mechanics & MaterialsMotion, Newton's laws, momentum, energy, and the properties of materials.
- Waves & the Particle Nature of LightWave behaviour, superposition, the photoelectric effect and wave-particle duality.
- Electric & Magnetic FieldsField strength, potential, capacitance, magnetic force and induction.
- Further MechanicsCircular motion, momentum in two dimensions and simple harmonic motion.
- Thermodynamics & GasesSpecific heat, ideal gases, kinetic theory and internal energy.
- Nuclear & Particle PhysicsRadioactive decay, fission, fusion, particle accelerators and the standard model.
- Oscillations & CosmologyDamping, resonance, stellar evolution, redshift and the fate of the universe.
- Practical SkillsExperimental design, uncertainty, graph analysis and evaluating conclusions.
Ready To Strengthen Your Child's Learning?
Book a free Physics demo class for British Curriculum · A Level · Pearson / Edexcel.