Current syllabus · first assessment 2019

A-Level Physics AS Study Guide & Review

Build Pearson Edexcel International AS Physics across Units 1–3 by translating mechanics, materials, waves and circuits into models, then using measurements, graphs and uncertainty to justify practical conclusions.

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

How to study Pearson Edexcel International AS Physics

Pearson Edexcel International AS Physics requires WPH11, WPH12 and WPH13. Use the XPH11 syllabus map to locate Mechanics, Materials, Waves, Electric Circuits or Practical Skills, then make every representation agree: sketch the system, state the model and conditions, choose a relationship, calculate with units and test whether the direction, scale, graph or evidence is physically plausible. Formulae are supplied, but selecting and combining them remains part of the reasoning.

Rebuild the physical model or experimental principle in Concept and retrieve definitions, quantities and decision cues in Mastery without copying notes. Apply them through the Question Bank and compare diagrams, working, units and conclusions with the mark logic. Find the first wrong assumption, conversion, graph interpretation, algebraic step or practical decision, correct it and retry a nearby question before moving to timed mixed-unit practice.

Practise XPH11 by physics behaviour

Use distinct routines for mechanics models, material evidence, waves and photons, circuit behaviour and complete practical decisions across the three assessed IAS units.

Mechanics models and linked graphs

Motion, vectors, projectiles, forces, momentum, moments, work, energy and power

Sketch the situation and forces, choose axes and a sign convention and state the model before calculating. Connect graph gradients and areas to physical quantities, preserve vector direction and units and then test whether the magnitude and motion are compatible with the original context.

Practise Mechanics

Materials, graphs and uncertainty

Density, upthrust, viscosity, Hooke's law, stress, strain, Young modulus and elastic energy

Connect force–extension and stress–strain representations, state the elastic or material assumptions and obtain properties from a justified gradient or area. Check dimensions and units, then decide whether range, resolution, repeats or systematic error limits the conclusion instead of describing every deviation as random error.

Practise Materials

Wave and photon evidence

Interference, stationary waves, refraction, diffraction, polarisation, photons, photoelectric effect and spectra

Identify whether the explanation uses a wave, photon or matter-wave model and state the evidence and conditions that support it. Draw phase, path or energy-level relationships, select the equation, calculate with consistent units and keep distinct models from being blended into one vague explanation.

Practise Waves and Light

Circuit conservation and component behaviour

Current, potential difference, resistance, power, I–V graphs, resistivity, dividers, e.m.f. and internal resistance

Use charge and energy conservation before algebra, label currents and potential differences and predict the component or divider response. Calculate with units, then reconcile the result with the I–V graph, resistance behaviour and source model rather than treating every circuit as direct formula substitution.

Practise Electric Circuits

Practical planning and data repair

Apparatus, range, resolution, variables, risk, repeats, graphs, gradients, uncertainty and evaluation

Plan from the measurable relationship: choose apparatus with suitable range and resolution, control variables, manage risk and collect repeatable data. Process values with units and significant figures, use a large gradient triangle, quantify uncertainty and tie each proposed improvement to a named error source or limitation.

Practise Unit 3

Where to start

Start from a known Unit Topic or diagnose whether the recurring weakness is the physical model, representation, mathematics, units, practical method or evaluation.

Choose your starting point

  1. I know the weak Topic

    Open its exact Unit destination and identify the first failed model, diagram, graph, equation, unit conversion or practical decision.

    Browse Units 1–3

  2. I do not know what is weak

    Use mixed XPH11 questions to separate concept gaps from representation, calculation, practical-planning, uncertainty and evaluation errors.

    Start an IAS diagnostic

Choose the right XPH11 starting point

  1. Explain the physical model

    Name the system, quantities, assumptions and causal mechanism, then connect the diagram or graph to the equation and expected observation.

    Review a Concept

  2. Retrieve quantities and conditions

    Reproduce definitions, units, relationship choices and experimental decision cues independently, noting what the supplied equation and data sheets do not decide.

    Check Mastery

  3. Apply, test and repair

    Solve an unfamiliar question, test units and physical plausibility and correct the earliest invalid model, mathematical step or evidence claim.

    Practise questions

Explore the three XPH11 Physics units

XPH11 consists of Unit 1 Mechanics and Materials, Unit 2 Waves and Electricity and Unit 3 Practical Skills in Physics I. Use the additional mathematics and measurement row as a shared skills directory, not a fourth examination unit.

4
syllabus groups
12
mapped topics

Unit 1: Mechanics and Materials

Open unit questions
1.3 - Mechanics1.4 - Materials

Unit 2: Waves and Electricity

Open unit questions
2.3 - Waves and Particle Nature of Light2.4 - Electric Circuits

Unit 3: Practical Skills in Physics I

Open unit questions
3.3 - Planning3.4 - Implementation and measurements3.5 - Processing Results

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 AS Physics assessment

XPH11 has three externally assessed written units. Units 1 and 2 each contribute 40% of IAS, while Unit 3 contributes 20%; at least 40% of marks across IAS target Level 2-or-above mathematics.

Paper / componentQuestionsTime% of grade
Unit 1 Mechanics and Materials (WPH11/01)Multiple-choice, short-open, open-response, calculations and extended writing80 marksAll questions are compulsory in familiar and unfamiliar contexts. The paper assesses Mechanics and Materials and awards at least 32 marks for mathematics at Level 2 or above; an approved calculator, supplied equations and relevant data may be used.How to prepare: Practise turning words into a physical model, force or motion diagram and linked graph before calculation. Make vector direction, unit conversion, gradient or area meaning and model assumptions visible, then check whether the final scale and behaviour are physically plausible.1 hour 30 minutes40% of IAS; 20% of IAL
Unit 2 Waves and Electricity (WPH12/01)Multiple-choice, short-open, open-response, calculations and extended writing80 marksAll questions are compulsory across Waves and Particle Nature of Light and Electric Circuits. Familiar and unfamiliar contexts are used, with at least 32 Level 2-or-above mathematics marks and approved calculator, equation and data-sheet support.How to prepare: Move deliberately among diagrams, wave or photon models, circuit conservation, graphs and equations. State the condition or evidence supporting the model, predict the trend before calculation and reconcile the numerical result with component behaviour, phase, energy level or experimental observation.1 hour 30 minutes40% of IAS; 20% of IAL
Unit 3 Practical Skills in Physics I (WPH13/01)Short-open, open-response, calculations and extended writing50 marksThis is a compulsory written examination, not a separate hands-on practical test. It assesses planning, implementation and measurements and processing results developed through Units 1–2, including at least 20 marks of Level 2-or-above mathematics in familiar and unfamiliar situations.How to prepare: Reconstruct complete experiments using Core Practicals 1–8: measurable relationship, apparatus and resolution, variables, safety, repeats, graph processing, uncertainty, conclusion and specific improvement. Tie every limitation to its effect and every improvement to a named source of error.1 hour 20 minutes20% of IAS; 10% of IAL

SourcePearson Edexcel · Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level in PhysicsXPH11 · Issue 3 · July 2021

Pearson Edexcel International AS Physics questions

XPH11 requires Unit 1 WPH11, Unit 2 WPH12 and Unit 3 WPH13. All three are externally assessed written papers. The mathematics and measurement row in the local syllabus map supports every unit but is not a fourth examination paper. IAS may be awarded separately or contribute half of YPH11 IAL Physics.

No. WPH13 is a written examination of planning, implementation, measurement and data processing developed through Units 1–2. Carrying out Core Practicals 1–8 is important preparation, but assessment uses familiar and unfamiliar written contexts. Practise apparatus choice, variables, safety, repeats, graphs, uncertainty, conclusions and specific improvements.

Pearson states that the Appendix 7 formulae are supplied in every examination and any other required formula is provided in the question; relevant constants are also supplied. You must still recognise which relationship applies, rearrange and combine it, use consistent units, show working and interpret the result rather than treating the sheet as a method guide.

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 before the examination and practise using technology to evaluate and check visible working, not to replace the physical model.

XPH11 is Units 1–3 and can be certificated as International AS Physics. Full YPH11 requires all six units, adding IA2 Units 4–6. Unit results can be banked across series, but the appropriate cash-in must be entered for a qualification grade; current series availability should be checked in Pearson's annual Information Manual.