A-Level Physics (AQA 7408)

Course Overview 课程介绍

AQA A-Level 物理，线性结构，2 年末统一考试，理工科申请核心科目。

A-Level Physics (AQA 7408) is a linear UK advanced qualification assessed entirely by terminal exams at the end of two years. It covers measurements, particles and radiation, waves, mechanics and materials, electricity, further mechanics, thermal physics, fields, nuclear physics, plus one optional unit. Strong emphasis is placed on practical skills through the separately reported Practical Endorsement. It is a core subject for engineering, physics, computer science and medicine applicants.

Key Facts 基本信息

Exam Board (考试局)	Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) · Oxford International AQA
Specification Code	AQA 7408 · OxfordAQA 9630
Structure	Linear structure, terminal exams at end of 2 years
Grading (评分)	A* - E (A* only for full A-Level)
Exam Papers	Paper 1 + Paper 2 + Paper 3 (3 written papers)
Practical Endorsement	Non-exam, teacher-assessed, reported as Pass / Not Reported

AS / Year 1 Syllabus AS 阶段章节

AS1. Measurements and their errors

Use of SI units and their prefixes, limitation of physical measurements, estimation of physical quantities
AS2. Particles and radiation

Particles, radiation, quantum phenomena, photoelectric effect, wave-particle duality, particle classification and fundamental forces
AS3. Waves

Progressive and stationary waves, refraction, diffraction, interference, interference experiments, polarisation
AS4. Mechanics and materials

Force, energy and momentum, moments, work, energy and power, conservation laws, properties of materials, Young's modulus, elastic and plastic deformation
AS5. Electricity

Current electricity, DC circuits, resistivity, internal resistance, Kirchhoff's laws, potential divider, alternating currents (introductory)
AS6. Further mechanics (periodic motion)

Momentum in two dimensions, circular motion, simple harmonic motion, thermal physics is reserved for A2 (Section 6.2)

A2 / Year 2 Syllabus A2 阶段章节

A27. Thermal physics (Section 6.2)

Thermal energy transfer, ideal gases, molecular kinetic theory, specific heat capacity, latent heat, first law of thermodynamics
A28. Fields and their consequences (Section 7)

Force fields, gravitational fields, electric fields, capacitance, magnetic fields, magnetic flux, electromagnetic induction, alternating currents, transformers
A29. Nuclear physics (Section 8)

Radioactive decay, nuclear instability, nuclear binding energy, fission and fusion, induced fission, safety and applications of nuclear physics
A210. Option (one of)

Astrophysics · Medical physics · Engineering physics · Turning points in physics · Electronics (students study one option examined in Paper 3 Section B)

Exam Structure (AQA 7408) 考试结构

Paper 1	Sections 1-5 and 6.1 (Periodic motion) · 2h · 85 marks · 34% of A-Level
Paper 2	Sections 6.2, 7 and 8 (assumes knowledge of 1-6.1) · 2h · 85 marks · 34% of A-Level
Paper 3	Section A: compulsory practical skills and data analysis · Section B: one option · 2h · 80 marks · 32% of A-Level
Practical Endorsement	Non-exam assessment, teacher-assessed across 12 required practicals, reported separately as Pass / Not Reported

Suitable Majors & Pathway 适用专业与衔接

理工科与医学申请的核心前置科目，工程、物理、CS、医学方向强烈推荐。

A-Level Physics (AQA) is a key prerequisite for physics, engineering (mechanical, electrical, aerospace, civil), computer science, mathematics, astronomy and many medicine or dentistry programmes. The linear structure rewards sustained conceptual mastery and strong mathematical fluency, providing a solid foundation for university mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum physics and engineering modules.