Physics
14
specification units
51
named subtopics
Year 12–Year 13
year groups
Pearson Edexcel International A Level Physics is organised here into 14 specification units covering 51 named subtopics, studied across Year 12–Year 13. The units are Working as a Physicist, Mechanics, Materials, Waves and the Particle Nature of Light, Electric Circuits, Practical Skills in Physics I, Further Mechanics, Electric and Magnetic Fields, Particle Physics, Thermodynamics, Nuclear and Radioactive Decay, Oscillations, Astrophysics and Cosmology and Practical Skills in Physics II.
Each subtopic is tagged on the question bank, so you can practise one skill at a time, sit a full Edexcel IAL past paper, or build a mixed worksheet from several units at once. Answers are checked against the Pearson Edexcel International A Level mark scheme, awarding method, accuracy and final-answer marks separately so you can see exactly where marks were lost.
Mechanics is the widest unit on this specification with 5 subtopics, so it is usually the highest-value place to start revision.
Working as a Physicist
- SI units and measurements
- Scalars and vectors
Mechanics
- Motion and kinematics
- Projectile motion
- Newton's laws of motion
- Work, energy and power
- Momentum and collisions
Materials
- Density and upthrust
- Fluids and viscosity
- Hooke's law and elasticity
- Stress, strain and the Young modulus
Waves and the Particle Nature of Light
- Wave properties
- Superposition and standing waves
- Diffraction and interference
- Refraction and total internal reflection
- The photoelectric effect and wave-particle duality
Electric Circuits
- Current, charge and potential difference
- Resistance and resistivity
- Series and parallel circuits
- EMF and internal resistance
- Potential dividers
Practical Skills in Physics I
- Planning and experimental design
- Measurement and data recording
- Analysis of uncertainties
- Evaluation of results
Electric and Magnetic Fields
- Electric fields and potential
- Capacitance and charging
- Magnetic fields and forces
- Electromagnetic induction
Particle Physics
- Probing matter and the nucleus
- Particle accelerators and detectors
- Fundamental particles and the standard model
Thermodynamics
- Heat, temperature and internal energy
- Specific heat capacity and latent heat
- Ideal gases and kinetic theory
Nuclear and Radioactive Decay
- Radioactive decay and half-life
- Nuclear fission and fusion
- Mass-energy equivalence
Oscillations
- Simple harmonic motion
- Energy in SHM
- Damping and resonance
Astrophysics and Cosmology
- Gravitational fields and orbits
- Stars and the HR diagram
- Stellar evolution
- Cosmology and red-shift
Practical Skills in Physics II
- Advanced experimental design
- Statistical analysis of data
- Evaluation of methodology
- Independent investigation
How to revise Edexcel IAL Physics
- 1
Diagnose with one mixed set
Start with a mixed set drawn from all 14 units to find where Physics marks are actually being lost, rather than revising what already feels comfortable.
- 2
Drill unit by unit
Work through the subtopics in order, from Working as a Physicist to Practical Skills in Physics II, doing short focused sets rather than long unfocused sessions.
- 3
Sit a full past paper under timing
Once two or three units are solid, sit a complete Edexcel IAL Physics paper to timing and mark it against the official mark scheme.
- 4
Re-practise only the dropped marks
Convert every dropped mark into a targeted set on that subtopic, then re-test it a week later to check the fix stuck.
Continue with Physics
Every board and level we cover for this subject
A Level PhysicsSearchable formula sheet with worked micro-examples
Predicted papersPractice papers built from the topics that recur most
Past paper practiceSit whole papers online with examiner-grade marking
Other specifications for this subject
Physics — frequently asked questions
Everything students and parents ask about revising Edexcel IAL Physics.
The fastest route is past-paper-first revision: practise exam-style questions by topic, mark every answer against the real Pearson Edexcel International A Level mark scheme, then drill the topics where you lose marks. On MathsGradeUp you can do all of this for Physics in one place — topic practice, full past papers and instant examiner-grade feedback.
Pearson Edexcel International A Level Physics is mapped to the official specification and covers 14 units, including Working as a Physicist, Mechanics, Materials, Waves and the Particle Nature of Light, Electric Circuits, Practical Skills in Physics I and more. Every unit is broken down into subtopics so you can target exactly what you need to revise.
Yes. You can open full Edexcel IAL Physics past papers, write directly on them with pen and maths tools, save your work, export a PDF, and submit for examiner-grade marking against the mark scheme.
Yes — our predicted papers for Physics are assembled from the topics that recur most in Pearson Edexcel International A Level exams and the topics you have practised least. They are a revision aid built from the specification, not leaked content.
Each answer is checked against the real Pearson Edexcel International A Level mark scheme, awarding method, accuracy and final-answer marks the way a real examiner would. You see exactly where marks were earned or dropped, with feedback you can act on.
Physics on the Pearson Edexcel International A Level specification is aimed at Years 12–13. You can filter practice by year group and topic so the questions always match where you are in the course.
Yes. The Physics content follows the current Pearson Edexcel International A Level specification, including all units and subtopics, so what you practise reflects what you will actually be examined on.
Yes — Physics practice, past papers and marking are free during our early launch period. Subscription plans may be introduced later, but launch users get full access now.
You do not just get an answer to copy. Physics marking guides you with hints, worked steps and mark-scheme-based feedback so you understand the method and pick up the marks yourself next time. Calculation-style questions are tagged so you can practise both structured and extended-response answers.
Yes. Parents and tutors can see completed Physics practice, accuracy, weak topics and overall exam readiness, making it easy to support revision and focus on the right areas.
Short, regular sessions beat occasional long ones. Aim for a few focused Physics sessions a week, always finishing by marking your work so each session ends with clear next steps. The progress dashboard shows what to revise next.