Moving from AS to the Second Year of AQA A Level Physics

You have completed the first year of AQA Physics. The second year is where it comes together, but it can feel like a step up. The new core sections are more abstract, the maths becomes more demanding, and the exams expect you to connect topics rather than answer them in isolation.

For most pupils yes — mainly because it is more abstract and more maths-heavy, and the exams are synoptic.

First-year questions usually stay within one topic. Full A Level questions are synoptic: they combine ideas, often from both years, and expect you to choose the right physics from a much larger toolkit.

The physics is still about capacitors, but now you handle exponential decay, work with energy as well as charge ($E \propto Q^2$), and explain a subtle difference in reasoning. That is the real jump.

Answer honestly — this is a guide to what you should focus on first, not a test.

1. Topics become more abstract

Gravitational, electric and magnetic fields are invisible — you reason about them through models, field lines and equations rather than direct observation.

2. The maths steps up

You meet radians, angular quantities, exponential decay, natural logs, log-linear graphs and inverse-square laws. Capacitor discharge and radioactive decay follow the same exponential pattern: $Q = Q_0 e^{-t/RC}$ and $N = N_0 e^{-\lambda t}$.

3. Exams become synoptic, and you choose an option

Any paper can pull together first-year and second-year content. You also study one optional topic, examined in Paper 3 Section B, so part of your course becomes your own specialism.

Some first-year topics are the direct foundation for the hardest second-year content.

Many pupils think they are struggling with second-year Physics when the real issue is the new maths. Spend regular time on these skills over summer.

Radians and angular quantities

Circular motion and SHM use radians, not degrees: $\text{radians} = \text{degrees} \times \frac{\pi}{180}$. You also meet $\omega = 2\pi f$, $v = \omega r$ and $a = \omega^2 r$.

Exponential decay, natural logs and log graphs

Capacitor discharge and radioactive decay both decay exponentially: $Q = Q_0 e^{-t/RC}$ and $N = N_0 e^{-\lambda t}$. Taking natural logs turns an exponential into a straight line — for example $\ln N = \ln N_0 - \lambda t$, so a graph of $\ln N$ against $t$ has gradient $-\lambda$.

Inverse-square laws

Gravitational and electric fields from point sources obey inverse-square laws, e.g. $g = \frac{GM}{r^2}$. Doubling the distance reduces the field to a quarter, not a half — get comfortable with this proportional reasoning.

A $2200 \text{ μF}$ capacitor is charged to $12 \text{ V}$, then discharged through a $47 \text{ kΩ}$ resistor. Calculate the potential difference across the capacitor $60 \text{ s}$ after discharge begins.

1. Find the time constant in base units: $RC = (47 \times 10^{3}) \times (2200 \times 10^{-6}) = 103 \text{ s}$.
2. Potential difference decays like charge: $V = V_0 e^{-t/RC}$.
3. Substitute: $V = 12 \times e^{-60/103} = 12 \times 0.558 = 6.7 \text{ V}$ (2 s.f.).

Tap each card to sort it. This shows how explanation quality steps up.

Sections 3.6–3.8 are the new core second-year content. You will also study one optional topic (3.9–3.13) for Paper 3. Tick what you feel confident about.

Around 2–3 short sessions per week, each 30–45 minutes. The aim is warm first-year knowledge and the new maths in place.

Your aim is to avoid the "I understood it in lesson, so I'm fine" trap — and to keep first-year content alive.