A Level Physics Syllabus: A Clear, Simple Guide (2025 Edition)

05/12/2025 / Online Tutoring

A Level Physics is a challenging yet highly rewarding subject that helps students understand the fundamental laws governing the universe. It builds on the foundations laid at GCSE but moves into far more sophisticated territory, encouraging learners to think mathematically, analytically and conceptually. For many students, the subject provides an essential stepping stone toward degrees in engineering, physics, computer science, architecture, medicine and many other fields where quantitative thinking is central.

For parents, the syllabus can appear dense, filled with formulae, graphs and abstract concepts. Yet at its core, physics is about making sense of the world: how motion works, why electrical devices function, how energy is transferred and how scientific discoveries push technology forward. While exam boards such as AQA, OCR, Edexcel and WJEC differ slightly in structure, they share the same broad aims. Students learn not just the content, but how to think like physicists—posing questions, building models and using evidence to justify conclusions.

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Forces, Motion and Energy

A large portion of the A Level Physics syllabus revisits familiar topics from GCSE—forces, motion, vectors, energy and momentum—but with significantly greater depth and mathematical rigour. Students begin by refining their understanding of kinematics, learning to describe motion using equations, graphs and physical reasoning rather than relying solely on intuition. They move beyond basic speed–distance relationships to explore how velocity and acceleration change over time, how displacement–time graphs can reveal underlying patterns of motion, and how the same situation can be modelled in several different yet equally valid mathematical ways.

Concepts such as acceleration, projectile motion and circular motion are explored with much greater nuance, encouraging students to break physical situations into components and consider how multiple variables interact. When studying projectile motion, for instance, they learn to separate horizontal and vertical forces and to recognise the assumptions that allow the model to work. Circular motion adds another layer of abstraction, asking students to think in terms of centripetal force and angular velocity—ideas that bridge the gap between GCSE thinking and more advanced mechanics.

The study of forces becomes more sophisticated too. Students examine Newton’s laws in detail and are expected to apply them to increasingly complex systems, from objects on inclined planes to bodies connected by strings and pulleys. They learn to draw free-body diagrams with precision, resolve forces into components, and account for friction, tension and drag. This develops not only technical skill but also the reflective habit of checking whether a mathematical solution makes physical sense.

Energy is revisited through a more formal lens, linking ideas about work, power and efficiency to broader physical theories. Students encounter the principle of conservation of energy in contexts ranging from simple mechanical systems to electrical circuits and thermal processes. Momentum is treated with similar depth, requiring students to calculate changes in momentum and apply the concept to collisions and explosions—again reinforcing the idea that physics is governed by consistent and measurable rules.

These early units form the backbone of the subject, laying the essential groundwork for later topics such as electricity, fields and quantum behaviour. They help students develop an internal toolkit of mathematical models, diagrams and conceptual approaches that they will draw upon repeatedly throughout the course.

Many students find that this part of the syllabus marks the point where physics begins to feel more like applied mathematics. Graph interpretation, algebraic rearrangement, unit analysis and trigonometry all become essential, and students are encouraged to see problems not as puzzles to be guessed at, but as systems that can be decoded with the right tools. While this shift can be a significant adjustment, it also promotes precision, logical reasoning and confidence with numerical problem-solving—skills that benefit students far beyond the confines of physics and which many carry with them into engineering, computing, finance and other analytical fields.

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Electricity, Waves and Fields

The electricity section of the course introduces students to the behaviour of electrical circuits in far greater detail than at GCSE. They learn how current, potential difference and resistance relate mathematically through fundamental relationships such as Ohm’s law, and they begin to analyse circuits not merely by observation but through systematic calculation and modelling. Students explore how components such as resistors, capacitors, diodes and thermistors behave under different conditions, and how factors like temperature, frequency or voltage influence the flow of charge.

Capacitors, in particular, introduce students to time-dependent behaviour in circuits. They learn how capacitors charge and discharge, how energy is stored within them and how they can be used in timing, filtering and smoothing circuits. This is often one of the first points where students see how theoretical physics connects directly to real-world electronics. As they become more confident, they learn to interpret circuit diagrams with precision, decide which laws and equations apply to each situation, and calculate unknown values using step-by-step reasoning. By the end of this strand, students can explain how circuits respond when components are added, removed or altered, demonstrating a much deeper grasp of electrical behaviour.

Waves and fields offer another layer of complexity, drawing students into the more abstract and conceptual side of physics. Waves are revisited in a much more detailed and mathematical way. Students explore the nature of wave motion, examining how waves reflect, refract and superpose. Interference patterns, diffraction effects and standing waves are introduced not as curiosities but as phenomena that underpin technologies such as musical instruments, ultrasound imaging and fibre-optic communication.

This naturally leads into the study of fields. Gravitational, electric and magnetic fields require students to think in terms of invisible forces acting across space and to describe these interactions using field lines, equations and potential maps. They learn how electric fields influence charged particles, how magnetic fields create forces on moving charges and currents, and how gravitational fields govern the motion of planets and satellites. The ability to move between conceptual representations, such as diagrams, and mathematical models is a key skill developed in this part of the course.

Although these topics can initially feel daunting, they also reveal the beauty and coherence of physics. Students begin to see how very different physical systems—whether waves on water, electrons in a wire or planets orbiting a star—follow consistent, predictable laws. These insights help them appreciate the unity of the subject and develop the confidence to apply ideas across new contexts.

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The Modern Physics Strand

One of the most exciting parts of the A Level Physics syllabus is modern physics, which introduces students to the discoveries that underpin much of contemporary science and technology. This strand represents a clear shift away from the predictable, deterministic world of classical mechanics and into a realm where the rules change, behaviour becomes less intuitive and new ways of thinking are required. Students study the photoelectric effect, quantum phenomena, subatomic particles and the structure of the atom, gradually building a picture of the microscopic world that challenges many of the assumptions formed through everyday experience.

The photoelectric effect serves as a natural entry point to quantum ideas. Students learn how light, which for centuries was understood purely as a wave, also behaves like a stream of particles called photons. This dual nature of light leads them to explore the idea that energy is not continuous but arrives in discrete packets—an insight that marked the beginning of quantum theory. Through these studies, they begin to appreciate how experimental evidence can overturn long-held scientific models, demonstrating the dynamic and self-correcting nature of scientific progress.

Quantum physics, in particular, opens the door to a world where probabilities replace certainties, where particles behave as waves and where outcomes cannot always be predicted with complete accuracy. Concepts such as wave–particle duality, energy quantisation and electron behaviour in atoms challenge students to set aside intuition and rely instead on carefully constructed mathematical and conceptual models. Although initially counterintuitive, students often find this section gripping because it exposes them to ideas that sit at the heart of lasers, semiconductors, MRI scanners and much of modern technology.

The study of subatomic particles takes this exploration even further, introducing students to the building blocks of matter beyond protons, neutrons and electrons. They encounter quarks, leptons and the forces that act within the atomic nucleus, allowing them to see how particle physics connects to everything from nuclear energy to medical radiography. By examining nuclear decay, radiation types and the principles behind particle accelerators, students gain insight into how physicists investigate the smallest scales of the universe.

These topics highlight the profound link between theoretical physics and practical innovation. Developments in quantum mechanics and nuclear physics have shaped entire industries—from computing and telecommunications to healthcare and energy production. Students begin to see that the abstract theories they study are not confined to textbooks but form the foundation of technologies that shape their everyday lives.

This strand encourages curiosity, open-mindedness and a willingness to grapple with unfamiliar concepts—qualities that serve students well in many future academic and professional settings. It cultivates the ability to think abstractly, analyse evidence and remain comfortable with uncertainty, skills that are increasingly important in a world driven by rapid technological change and scientific discovery.

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Practical Skills and Experimental Work

Practical work plays an essential role in A Level Physics. Students complete a series of required practical activities that contribute to a Practical Endorsement shown alongside their final grade. These tasks help students develop accuracy, problem-solving skills and confidence when handling scientific equipment, whether measuring electrical resistance, timing oscillations, determining material properties or analysing wave patterns.

The practical component is not simply a matter of following instructions. Students are expected to demonstrate good experimental design, identify sources of error, explain how uncertainties affect results and evaluate the reliability of their methods. These activities provide valuable insight into how physics is carried out in real research environments, emphasising the importance of precision, patience and critical reflection.

For those considering degrees in engineering, the physical sciences or technology, this experience offers an excellent preparation for the more complex laboratory work expected at university.

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Preparing for the Exams

A Level Physics assessment is predominantly exam-based, with students completing written papers at the end of the two-year course. Exams typically include a mixture of mathematical problems, conceptual questions, extended written responses and data-handling tasks. Many questions are set in unfamiliar contexts, requiring students to apply what they know rather than simply recall facts.

Success in these exams relies on a blend of strong subject knowledge, confident mathematical skills and the ability to interpret information with precision. Students need to be comfortable with algebraic manipulation, unit conversions, scientific notation and graphical interpretation. Past-paper practice is invaluable, as it helps students become familiar with question styles and develop strategies for managing complex, multi-step problems under time pressure.

Parents can support revision by encouraging consistency, routine and a calm, methodical approach to tackling challenging material. Physics rewards persistence and understanding often develops gradually as students revisit concepts and connect ideas across different parts of the syllabus.

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How Principal Tutors Can Help

Principal Tutors offers personalised, one-to-one online physics tuition delivered by fully qualified UK teachers who understand the distinct demands of each exam board’s A Level Physics specification. Our tutors provide clear, steady guidance that helps students unravel complex ideas—from forces and fields to quantum phenomena—while also strengthening their mathematical fluency, exam technique and confidence in applying physical models to challenging problems.

Support is flexible, focused and shaped around each learner’s individual needs. Whether your child is finding certain topics difficult, feeling overwhelmed by the mathematical demands of the course or aiming to secure a higher grade, our tutors meet them exactly where they are. Through structured teaching and patient explanation, we help students develop clarity, resilience and a stronger sense of control over the subject.

To find out how we can support your child’s A Level Physics journey, call Principal Tutors on 0800 772 0974 or complete our quick tutor request form on our website.

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