Resources
Physics study guides
82 published, listed by title. Topic explanations written to be read once and understood.
All 82, by title
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Study Guides
Alternating Currents
Characteristics of alternating currents and voltages, root-mean-square values and power, and rectification and smoothing, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · A LEVEL
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Study Guides
AQA GCSE Physics 8463: Atomic structure – Study Guide
AQA GCSE Physics 8463 Atomic structure taught from scratch: the nuclear atom, isotopes, decay equations, half-life, radiation uses, fission and fusion.
Physics · AQA · GCSE
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Study Guides
AQA GCSE Physics 8463: Electricity – Study Guide
AQA GCSE Physics 8463 Electricity taught from scratch: current, resistance, series and parallel circuits, mains, power and static, with worked examples.
Physics · AQA · GCSE
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Study Guides
AQA GCSE Physics 8463: Forces – Study Guide
AQA GCSE Physics 8463 Forces taught from scratch: resultant forces, springs, moments, fluid pressure, motion graphs, Newton's laws, braking and momentum.
Physics · AQA · GCSE
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Study Guides
AQA GCSE Physics 8463: Magnetism and electromagnetism – Study Guide
Study guide for AQA GCSE Physics 8463 Topic 7: magnets and fields, electromagnets, the motor effect, F = BIl, generators, microphones and transformers.
Physics · AQA · GCSE
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Study Guides
AQA GCSE Physics 8463: Particle model of matter – Study Guide
AQA GCSE Physics 8463 Particle model of matter from scratch: density, changes of state, internal energy, latent heat and gas pressure, worked examples.
Physics · AQA · GCSE
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Study Guides
AQA GCSE Physics 8463: Space physics – Study Guide
Study guide for AQA GCSE Physics 8463 Space physics: the solar system, star life cycles, orbits and satellites, and red-shift, with worked examples.
Physics · AQA · GCSE
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Study Guides
AQA GCSE Physics 8463: Waves – Study Guide
Study guide for AQA GCSE Physics 8463 Topic 6 Waves: wave properties, v = fλ, sound, ultrasound, seismic waves, the EM spectrum, lenses and black bodies.
Physics · AQA · GCSE
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Study Guides
Astronomy and Cosmology
Standard candles and determining astronomical distance, calculating stellar radii, and Hubble's law and the Big Bang theory, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · A LEVEL
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Study Guides
Astrophysics
Orbital motion and gravity, stellar evolution from nebula to white dwarf, and red-shift evidence for the Big Bang, for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics 4PH1.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · IGCSE
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Study Guides
Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625: Electricity and magnetism – Study Guide
Study guide for Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 Topic 4: magnetism, charge, circuits, electrical safety and electromagnetic effects, Core and Extended.
Physics · Cambridge · IGCSE
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Study Guides
Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625: Nuclear physics – Study Guide
Study guide for Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 Topic 5: atomic structure, isotopes, fission and fusion, alpha, beta and gamma, half-life and safety.
Physics · Cambridge · IGCSE
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Study Guides
Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625: Space physics – Study Guide
Study guide for Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 space physics: the Earth, Solar System, orbits, star life cycles, redshift, CMBR and the Hubble constant.
Physics · Cambridge · IGCSE
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Study Guides
Cambridge O Level Physics: Forces and Motion
Newton's first and third laws, F = ma, friction, terminal velocity, stopping distance and circular motion, for Cambridge O Level Physics 5054.
Physics · Cambridge · O LEVELS
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Study Guides
Capacitance
Capacitors and the definition of capacitance, capacitor combinations, energy stored in a charged capacitor, and the exponential discharge of a capacitor through a resistor, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · A LEVEL
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Study Guides
Conservation and Dissipation of Energy
Conservation of energy, energy dissipation, insulation, and efficiency calculations, for sub-topic 4.1.2 of AQA GCSE Physics (8463).
Physics · AQA · GCSE
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Study Guides
D.C. Circuits: Kirchhoff's Laws and Potential Dividers
E.m.f. and internal resistance, Kirchhoff's first and second laws, combined resistance in series and parallel, and potential divider circuits, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · AS LEVEL
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Study Guides
Deformation of Solids: Stress, Strain and the Young Modulus
Hooke's law, stress, strain and the Young modulus, and elastic versus plastic deformation and elastic potential energy, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · AS LEVEL
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Study Guides
Dynamics: Newton's Laws and Momentum
Newton's three laws of motion, linear momentum, terminal velocity, and the principle of conservation of momentum applied to elastic and inelastic collisions, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · AS LEVEL
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Study Guides
Edexcel IGCSE Physics: Forces and Motion
Distance-time and velocity-time graphs, the equations of motion, and forces including Hooke's law and momentum, for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics 4PH1.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · IGCSE
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Study Guides
Elastic Deformation, Moments and Centre of Gravity
Spring constant and load-extension graphs, the principle of moments, and centre of gravity and stability, for Cambridge O Level Physics 5054.
Physics · Cambridge · O LEVELS
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Study Guides
Electric Fields
Electric field concept and field lines, uniform fields between parallel plates, Coulomb's law, the field of a point charge, and electric potential, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · A LEVEL
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Study Guides
Electricity
Mains electricity safety, series and parallel circuits, resistance, and electrostatic charge, for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics 4PH1.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · IGCSE
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Study Guides
Electricity: Current, Potential Difference and Resistance
Electric current as charge flow, Q = It, potential difference and electrical power, and resistance, resistivity and I-V characteristics, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · AS LEVEL
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Study Guides
Energy Changes in a System
Energy stores, kinetic and elastic potential and gravitational potential energy, specific heat capacity, and power, for sub-topic 4.1.1 of AQA GCSE Physics (8463).
Physics · AQA · GCSE
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Study Guides
Energy Resources and Efficiency
Renewable and non-renewable energy resources, electricity generation, and calculating efficiency, for Cambridge O Level Physics 5054.
Physics · Cambridge · O LEVELS
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Study Guides
Energy Resources and Energy Transfers
Energy stores and transfers, conservation of energy and efficiency, work and power, and electricity generation from renewable and non-renewable resources, for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics 4PH1.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · IGCSE
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Study Guides
Energy, Work and Power
Energy stores and transfers, the conservation of energy, kinetic and gravitational potential energy, work done and power, for Cambridge O Level Physics 5054.
Physics · Cambridge · O LEVELS
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Study Guides
Estimation of Physical Quantities
Orders of magnitude and estimating approximate values of physical quantities, for sub-topic 3.1.3 of AQA A-level Physics (7408).
Physics · AQA · A LEVELS
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Study Guides
Forces and Momentum: Study Guide
Newton's laws, contact and field forces, momentum, impulse, collisions and circular motion – sub-topic A.2 of IB Diploma Programme Physics, identical content at SL and HL.
Physics · International Baccalaureate · IB
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Study Guides
Forces, Density and Pressure
Moments, couples and the principle of moments, equilibrium of coplanar forces, and density, pressure and Archimedes' principle, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · AS LEVEL
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Study Guides
Gravitational Fields
Gravitational field concept and field lines, Newton's law of gravitation, gravitational field strength of a point mass, and gravitational potential, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · A LEVEL
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Study Guides
IB Diploma Programme Physics: Syllabus Guide
The five themes of the IB Diploma Programme Physics syllabus – Space time and motion, The particulate nature of matter, Wave behaviour, Fields, and Nuclear and quantum physics – with HL-only topics marked, for first assessment 2025.
Physics · International Baccalaureate · IB
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Study Guides
Ideal Gases
The mole and the Avogadro constant, the equation of state for an ideal gas, and the kinetic theory model of gases, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · A LEVEL
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Study Guides
IGCSE Physics: Motion, Forces and Energy (Cambridge 0625)
Physical quantities, motion graphs, mass and weight, density, forces, momentum, energy/work/power and pressure – the Core and Supplement content of Topic 1 Motion, forces and energy for Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625, 2026-2028 series.
Physics · Cambridge · IGCSE
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Study Guides
IGCSE Physics: Thermal Physics (Cambridge 0625)
The kinetic particle model, gas pressure and the kelvin scale, thermal expansion, specific heat capacity, changes of state, and conduction, convection and radiation – everything Topic 2 Thermal physics asks of Core and Extended candidates in Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625, examined 2026-2028.
Physics · Cambridge · IGCSE
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Study Guides
IGCSE Physics: Waves (Cambridge 0625)
General wave properties, reflection and refraction of light, thin lenses, the electromagnetic spectrum and sound – the Core and Supplement content of Topic 3 Waves for Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625, 2026-2028 series.
Physics · Cambridge · IGCSE
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Study Guides
Kinematics and Motion Graphs
Speed, velocity and acceleration, and reading distance-time and speed-time graphs, for Cambridge O Level Physics 5054.
Physics · Cambridge · O LEVELS
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Study Guides
Kinematics: Equations of Motion
Distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration, motion graphs, and deriving and using the equations of uniformly accelerated motion, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · AS LEVEL
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Study Guides
Kinematics: Study Guide
Distance, displacement, speed, velocity, acceleration, the SUVAT equations and projectile motion – sub-topic A.1 of IB Diploma Programme Physics, identical content at SL and HL.
Physics · International Baccalaureate · IB
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Study Guides
Limitation of Physical Measurements
Random and systematic errors, precision and accuracy, and the treatment of uncertainty, for sub-topic 3.1.2 of AQA A-level Physics (7408).
Physics · AQA · A LEVELS
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Study Guides
Magnetic Fields
The magnetic field concept, the force on a current-carrying conductor and on a moving charge, magnetic fields due to currents, and electromagnetic induction, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · A LEVEL
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Study Guides
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Magnetic field patterns, the motor effect, and generators and transformers, for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics 4PH1.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · IGCSE
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Study Guides
Measurement, Mass, Weight and Density
Measuring length, volume and time with real apparatus, then mass, weight, gravitational field strength and density, for Cambridge O Level Physics 5054.
Physics · Cambridge · O LEVELS
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Study Guides
Medical Physics
The production and diagnostic use of ultrasound, the production and use of X-rays, and the principles of PET scanning, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · A LEVEL
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Study Guides
Momentum
Momentum, impulse and the conservation of momentum in one dimension, for Cambridge O Level Physics 5054.
Physics · Cambridge · O LEVELS
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Study Guides
Motion in a Circle
Radian measure and angular speed, the relationship between angular and linear speed, and centripetal acceleration and force for uniform circular motion, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · A LEVEL
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Study Guides
National and Global Energy Resources
Renewable and non-renewable energy resources, their uses, and their environmental impact, for sub-topic 4.1.3 of AQA GCSE Physics (8463) – also examinable as sub-topic 6.1.3 of GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464).
Physics · AQA · GCSE
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Study Guides
Nuclear Physics
Mass defect and nuclear binding energy, and the random and spontaneous nature of radioactive decay, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · A LEVEL
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Study Guides
OCR A Level Physics: Foundations of Physics (H556)
Physical quantities and units, making measurements and analysing data, and the nature of scalars and vectors – the full content of Module 2 for OCR A Level Physics A (H556).
Physics · OCR · A LEVELS
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Study Guides
OCR A-Level Physics: Development of Practical Skills (H556)
Practical skills assessed in a written examination and practical skills assessed in the Practical Endorsement – the full content of Module 1 for OCR A-Level Physics A (H556).
Physics · OCR · A LEVELS
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Study Guides
OCR GCSE Physics: Forces (J249)
Motion, Newton's laws, and forces in action – the full content of Topic 2 Forces for OCR GCSE (9-1) Physics A (Gateway Science) (J249).
Physics · OCR · GCSE
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Study Guides
OCR GCSE Physics: Matter (J249)
The particle model, changes of state, and pressure – the full content of Topic 1 Matter for OCR GCSE (9-1) Physics A (Gateway Science) (J249).
Physics · OCR · GCSE
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Study Guides
Oscillations
Simple harmonic motion and its defining equation, energy exchange during SHM, and damped and forced oscillations and resonance, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · A LEVEL
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Study Guides
OxfordAQA A-Level Physics: Measurements and Their Errors (9630)
SI units, measurement limitations and estimation – the opening section of OxfordAQA International AS & A-Level Physics (9630), shared content with the International AS award (9631).
Physics · OxfordAQA · AS LEVEL
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Study Guides
OxfordAQA A-Level Physics: Motion Along a Straight Line and Newton's Laws (9630)
SUVAT equations, displacement-time and velocity-time graphs, and Newton's three laws of motion with F = ma – 3.2.3 and 3.2.5 of OxfordAQA International AS and A-Level Physics (9630).
Physics · OxfordAQA · AS LEVEL
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Study Guides
OxfordAQA IGCSE Physics: Energy (9203)
Work, energy transfers, conservation, efficiency, Sankey diagrams and energy resources – Topic 2 Energy of OxfordAQA International GCSE Physics (9203), the second of eight topics in the full award.
Physics · OxfordAQA · IGCSE
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Study Guides
OxfordAQA International GCSE Physics: Forces and Their Effects (9203)
Forces and their interactions, motion, resultant forces, momentum, terminal velocity, centre of mass, and moments – the full content of Topic 1 for OxfordAQA International GCSE Physics (9203).
Physics · OxfordAQA · IGCSE
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Study Guides
Particle Physics: Atoms, Nuclei and Fundamental Particles
The nuclear atom, isotopes, alpha/beta/gamma radiation and radioactive decay equations, plus quarks and leptons as fundamental particles and hadrons as the composite particles built from quarks, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · AS LEVEL
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Study Guides
Physical Quantities, Units and Measurement
SI base units and prefixes, systematic and random errors, uncertainty in derived quantities, and scalars versus vectors, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · AS LEVEL
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Study Guides
Pressure
Pressure as force per unit area, atmospheric pressure and the liquid barometer, and pressure beneath a liquid surface, for Cambridge O Level Physics 5054.
Physics · Cambridge · O LEVELS
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Study Guides
Quantum Physics
The energy and momentum of a photon, the photoelectric effect, wave-particle duality, and energy levels in atoms and line spectra, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · A LEVEL
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Study Guides
Radioactivity and Particles
Atomic structure and radioactive decay, half-life calculations, and nuclear fission and fusion, for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics 4PH1.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · IGCSE
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Study Guides
Solids, Liquids and Gases
Density and pressure, specific heat capacity and changes of state, and the kinetic theory of gases, for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics 4PH1.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · IGCSE
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Study Guides
Superposition: Stationary Waves, Diffraction and Interference
The principle of superposition, stationary waves, nodes and antinodes, diffraction, two-source interference and the diffraction grating equation, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · AS LEVEL
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Study Guides
Temperature
Thermal equilibrium, the thermodynamic (Kelvin) temperature scale, and specific heat capacity and specific latent heat, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · A LEVEL
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Study Guides
Thermodynamics
Internal energy as the sum of the random distribution of kinetic and potential energies of molecules, and the first law of thermodynamics, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · A LEVEL
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Study Guides
Unit 1: Materials
Density, upthrust, Stokes' law and viscosity, Hooke's law, the Young modulus and elastic strain energy for sub-topic 1.4 of Pearson Edexcel International A Level Physics (YPH11), Unit 1.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · A LEVELS
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Study Guides
Unit 1: Mechanics
Rectilinear motion, projectiles, Newton's laws, momentum, moments, work, energy and power for sub-topic 1.3 of Pearson Edexcel International A Level Physics (YPH11), Unit 1.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · A LEVELS
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Study Guides
Unit 2: Electric Circuits
Current, potential difference, resistance, Ohm's law, resistivity, potential dividers, e.m.f. and internal resistance for sub-topic 2.4 of Pearson Edexcel International A Level Physics (YPH11), Unit 2.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · A LEVELS
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Study Guides
Unit 2: Waves and Particle Nature of Light
Wave properties, standing waves, refraction, diffraction, the photoelectric effect and atomic line spectra for sub-topic 2.3 of Pearson Edexcel International A Level Physics (YPH11), Unit 2.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · A LEVELS
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Study Guides
Unit 4: Electric and Magnetic Fields
Coulomb's law, electric field strength and potential, capacitors and RC circuits, and magnetic flux density and electromagnetic induction for sub-topic 4.4 of Pearson Edexcel International A Level Physics (YPH11), Unit 4.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · A LEVELS
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Study Guides
Unit 4: Further Mechanics
Impulse, two-dimensional momentum conservation, elastic and inelastic collisions, and circular motion for sub-topic 4.3 of Pearson Edexcel International A Level Physics (YPH11), Unit 4.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · A LEVELS
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Study Guides
Unit 4: Nuclear and Particle Physics
Atomic structure, particle accelerators and detectors, mass-energy equivalence, and the standard quark-lepton model for sub-topic 4.5 of Pearson Edexcel International A Level Physics (YPH11), Unit 4.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · A LEVELS
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Study Guides
Unit 5: Astrophysics and Cosmology
Gravitational fields, black body radiation, astronomical distance measurement, the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, redshift and the Hubble constant for sub-topic 5.6 of Pearson Edexcel International A Level Physics (YPH11), Unit 5.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · A LEVELS
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Study Guides
Unit 5: Nuclear Decay
Nuclear binding energy, fusion and fission, background radiation, radiation types, and radioactive decay and half-life for sub-topic 5.4 of Pearson Edexcel International A Level Physics (YPH11), Unit 5.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · A LEVELS
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Study Guides
Unit 5: Oscillations
Simple harmonic motion, displacement/velocity/acceleration equations, energy in oscillating systems, resonance and damping for sub-topic 5.5 of Pearson Edexcel International A Level Physics (YPH11), Unit 5.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · A LEVELS
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Study Guides
Unit 5: Thermodynamics
Specific heat capacity, specific latent heat, internal energy, absolute zero and the ideal gas equation for sub-topic 5.3 of Pearson Edexcel International A Level Physics (YPH11), Unit 5.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · A LEVELS
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Study Guides
Use of SI Units and Their Prefixes
Fundamental (base) SI units, derived units, and standard-form prefixes, for sub-topic 3.1.1 of AQA A-level Physics (7408).
Physics · AQA · A LEVELS
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Study Guides
Waves
Wave properties and the Doppler effect, the electromagnetic spectrum and its uses and hazards, and reflection, refraction and sound, for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics 4PH1.
Physics · Pearson Edexcel · IGCSE
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Study Guides
Waves: Progressive Waves, the Doppler Effect and Polarisation
Progressive wave terms and the wave equation, transverse vs longitudinal waves, the Doppler effect, the electromagnetic spectrum, and polarisation, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · AS LEVEL
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Study Guides
Work, Energy and Power
Work done, conservation of energy, efficiency, power, and deriving the formulas for gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy, for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702.
Physics · Cambridge · AS LEVEL