Current syllabus · first assessment 2020

A-Level Physics A2 Study Guide & Review

Complete Pearson Edexcel International A2 Physics by connecting advanced fields, particles, thermal models, oscillations and cosmology to IAS foundations, mathematical transformations and evidence-rich practical reasoning across WPH14–WPH16.

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  1. 01Learn concepts
  2. 02Practise questions
  3. 03Review mistakes

How to study Pearson Edexcel International A2 Physics

Pearson Edexcel International A2 Physics adds WPH14, WPH15 and WPH16 to the full six-unit YPH11 award. Use the A2 syllabus map to identify the advanced Topic, then retrieve its exact IAS bridge: vectors and circuits support fields and capacitors, waves support oscillations and mechanics supports circular motion. Define the model and conditions, move deliberately among diagrams, exponential or logarithmic graphs and equations, calculate with units and finish with a physical conclusion.

Rebuild the advanced mechanism, derivation or experimental principle in Concept and retrieve linked definitions, relationships and decision cues in Mastery without copying a solution. Apply them through the Question Bank and compare every representation with the mark logic. Find the first weak prerequisite, sign convention, transformation, omitted unit, unsupported conclusion or practical decision, repair it and retry a nearby question before mixing Units 4–6 under time pressure.

Practise YPH11 A2 by physics behaviour

Use distinct routines for advanced mechanics and fields, exponential models, microscopic and cosmological evidence, oscillations and transferable Unit 6 practical analysis.

Further mechanics and field models

Momentum, circular motion, electric and magnetic fields, capacitors, induction and particle motion

Draw the vector or field picture, define direction and sign conventions and connect force, potential, energy and motion representations before calculation. After solving, test units, limiting behaviour and physical direction; use IAS mechanics and circuit knowledge as explicit prerequisites rather than hidden assumptions.

Practise Unit 4

Exponential and logarithmic models

Capacitor discharge, radioactive decay, attenuation, time constants, decay constants and transformed graphs

Identify the changing quantity, initial value and time or decay constant before selecting the exponential model. Move correctly to logarithmic form, extract gradient and intercept with units and then interpret what the fitted parameter and departures from the model mean physically.

Practise exponential models

Thermal, particle and cosmological evidence

Gas models, binding energy, particle interactions, stellar radiation, distance, redshift and expansion

Start from the microscopic, particle or observational model and state its assumptions. Select and combine relationships, compare calculated predictions with given evidence and finish evaluation with a justified conclusion; listing facts or obtaining a number without judging suitability does not complete the reasoning.

Practise Unit 5 evidence

Oscillations and linked graphs

SHM, phase, displacement, velocity, acceleration, energy, damping, forcing and resonance

Move deliberately among force, acceleration, displacement, velocity, energy and phase, identifying what each gradient, amplitude and turning point means. Distinguish free from forced motion, predict resonance and explain how damping changes amplitude and energy before checking calculations against the linked graphs.

Practise Oscillations

Practical design and transformed data

Core Practicals 9–16, apparatus, calibration, variables, risk, log plots, uncertainty and evaluation

Specify the measurable relationship, apparatus range and resolution, calibration, controls, repeats and risk before collecting data. Choose raw or transformed axes, use a large gradient triangle, keep units and significant figures consistent, quantify uncertainty and link each improvement to a named error source.

Practise Unit 6

Where to start

Start from a known Unit 4–6 Topic or diagnose whether the recurring weakness is synoptic recall, model choice, mathematical transformation, practical analysis or conclusion.

Choose your starting point

  1. I know the weak Topic

    Open its exact A2 destination and identify the first failed prerequisite, model, diagram, graph transformation, unit or evidence decision.

    Browse Units 4–6

  2. I do not know what is weak

    Use mixed WPH14–WPH16 questions to separate IAS prerequisite gaps from advanced modelling, calculation, practical-analysis and conclusion errors.

    Start an A2 diagnostic

Choose the right YPH11 A2 starting point

  1. Explain the advanced model

    Name the system, assumptions and causal mechanism, then connect its field, particle, thermal, oscillation or cosmological representation to prerequisite Physics.

    Review a Concept

  2. Retrieve transformations and conditions

    Reproduce definitions, equation choices, graph transformations and validity conditions independently, including what supplied formulae and constants do not decide.

    Check Mastery

  3. Apply, conclude and repair

    Solve an unfamiliar problem, check units, limits and evidence and correct the earliest unsupported step or missing physical conclusion.

    Practise questions

Explore the three YPH11 A2 Physics units

The A2 stage adds WPH14 Further Mechanics, Fields and Particles, WPH15 Thermodynamics, Radiation, Oscillations and Cosmology and WPH16 Practical Skills II. Full YPH11 requires Units 1–6; the shared mathematics row supports learning but is not a fourth A2 paper.

4
syllabus groups
15
mapped topics

Unit 4: Further Mechanics, Fields and Particles

Open unit questions
4.3 - Further Mechanics4.4 - Electric and Magnetic Fields4.5 - Nuclear and Particle Physics

Unit 5: Thermodynamics, Radiation, Oscillations and Cosmology

Open unit questions
5.3 - Thermodynamics5.4 - Nuclear Decay5.5 - Oscillations5.6 - Astrophysics and Cosmology

Unit 6: Practical Skills in Physics II

Open unit questions
6.3 - Planning6.4 - Implementation and Measurements6.5 - Analysis

Assessed mathematical skills and measurement conventions

Open unit questions
C.0 Arithmetic and numerical computationC.1 Handling dataC.2 AlgebraC.3 GraphsC.4 Geometry and trigonometry

Pearson Edexcel International A2 Physics assessment

A2 consists of three externally assessed written units. WPH14 and WPH15 each contribute 40% of IA2, while WPH16 contributes 20%; full YPH11 combines these with IAS Units 1–3.

Paper / componentQuestionsTime% of grade
Unit 4 Further Mechanics, Fields and Particles (WPH14/01)Multiple-choice, short-open, open-response, calculations and extended writing90 marksAll questions are compulsory across Further Mechanics, Electric and Magnetic Fields and Nuclear and Particle Physics. At least 36 marks target Level 2-or-above mathematics, and synoptic questions may require Units 1–2 knowledge; approved calculator, equations and data are supplied.How to prepare: Rebuild IAS vectors, mechanics, circuits and wave ideas before advanced questions. Practise linking force, potential, energy, fields, exponential capacitor models and particle evidence, keeping signs, directions, units and assumptions visible and ending calculations with a justified physical interpretation.1 hour 45 minutes40% of IA2; 20% of IAL
Unit 5 Thermodynamics, Radiation, Oscillations and Cosmology (WPH15/01)Multiple-choice, short-open, open-response, calculations and extended writing90 marksAll questions are compulsory across Thermodynamics, Nuclear Decay, Oscillations and Astrophysics and Cosmology. At least 36 marks target Level 2-or-above mathematics, and synoptic questions may require Units 1, 2 and 4 knowledge.How to prepare: Connect microscopic models to macroscopic or observational evidence, then combine exponential, logarithmic, SHM, gravitational and radiation relationships. Preserve assumptions and units, compare predictions with data and finish AO2 evaluation with a clear conclusion rather than stopping at an unexplained number.1 hour 45 minutes40% of IA2; 20% of IAL
Unit 6 Practical Skills in Physics II (WPH16/01)Short-open, open-response, calculations and extended writing50 marksThis compulsory written examination assesses procedures and techniques developed through Units 4–5, not a separate hands-on test. At least 20 marks target Level 2-or-above mathematics across planning, implementation and measurements and analysis in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.How to prepare: Reconstruct Core Practicals 9–16 from measurable relationship to conclusion, including range, resolution, calibration, variables, safety, repeats, transformed or log graphs, uncertainty and evaluation. Tie each limitation to its effect and each improvement to a named error source.1 hour 20 minutes20% of IA2; 10% of IAL

SourcePearson Edexcel · Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level in PhysicsYPH11 · Issue 3 · July 2021

Pearson Edexcel International A2 Physics questions

No. This page covers the IA2 stage, WPH14, WPH15 and WPH16, but the full YPH11 International A Level award requires all six units, WPH11–WPH16. Units may be banked across series, yet the appropriate cash-in must be entered before Pearson issues the qualification grade.

WPH14 may assess synoptic knowledge from Units 1–2, especially mechanics, vectors, waves and circuits. WPH15 may draw on Units 1, 2 and 4. Revisit the exact prerequisite when an A2 method fails; do not duplicate the whole AS course before starting advanced practice.

No. WPH16 is a written examination of planning, implementation, measurement and analysis developed through Units 4–5. Use Core Practicals 9–16 to learn apparatus, variables, calibration, safety, transformed graphs, uncertainty and evaluation, then transfer those decisions to unfamiliar experiments rather than memorising one procedure.

Yes. Pearson supplies the Appendix 7 formulae and Appendix 8 constants in every examination, and provides any other required formula in the question. You must still know definitions and conditions, select, rearrange and combine relationships, use consistent units and show how the result supports a physical conclusion.

Yes, an approved calculator may be used. Pearson prohibits language translation, symbolic algebra, symbolic differentiation or integration, communication, internet access and retrievable databanks, dictionaries, formulae or text. Clear stored content and practise using technology for evaluation, graph parameters and checks while keeping the complete mathematical and physical reasoning visible.