29 topics · specification 9702 · explanations and examiner marking in CAIE’s own language
Studying CAIE A-Level Physics? Pick your board once and every answer, mark and flashcard elid gives you follows that specification. Free to start, no card needed. Open elid →
This is the full CAIE A-Level Physics specification, code 9702, as elid holds it — 29 topics, each with the terminology CAIE marks against. Every explanation and every mark elid gives you is written against this list, not a generic A-level one, because the same question answered in AQA, Edexcel or OCR language loses marks it should have earned.
The CAIE A-Level Physics specification, topic by topic
Physical Quantities and Units
Assessed in Paper 2, 4
SI base units, derived units, systematic and random errors, precision and accuracy, estimation, absolute and percentage uncertainties.
Specification terms elid matches
SI base units
derived units
random errors
systematic errors
precision
accuracy
percentage uncertainty
scalar quantity
vector quantity
base quantity
estimation
significant figures
order of magnitude
zero error
Kinematics
Assessed in Paper 2, 4
Equations of motion, displacement-time and velocity-time graphs, acceleration of free fall, projectile motion.
Specification terms elid matches
displacement-time graph
velocity-time graph
equations of motion
acceleration of free fall
projectile motion
instantaneous velocity
average speed
suvat
free fall
initial velocity
constant acceleration
horizontal projection
vertical component
non-uniform acceleration
Dynamics
Assessed in Paper 2, 4
Newton's laws of motion, mass and weight, momentum, conservation of momentum, elastic and inelastic collisions, force, drag, terminal velocity.
Specification terms elid matches
Newton's laws
momentum
conservation of momentum
elastic collision
inelastic collision
force
drag force
terminal velocity
Newton's first law
Newton's second law
Newton's third law
resultant force
F=ma
linear momentum
Forces, Density and Pressure
Assessed in Paper 2, 4
Center of gravity, moment of a force, torque of a couple, coplanar forces in equilibrium, density, pressure, upthrust and Archimedes' principle.
Specification terms elid matches
center of gravity
moment of a force
torque
coplanar forces
equilibrium
density
pressure
upthrust
centre of gravity
principle of moments
turning effect
couple
resultant moment
buoyancy
Work, Energy and Power
Assessed in Paper 2, 4
Work done, kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, conservation of energy, efficiency, power.
Specification terms elid matches
work done
kinetic energy
gravitational potential energy
conservation of energy
efficiency
power
elastic potential energy
principle of conservation of energy
energy dissipation
P=Fv
W=Fd
kilowatt-hour
output power
input power
Deformation of Solids
Assessed in Paper 2, 4
Hooke's law, elastic limit, tensile stress, tensile strain, Young modulus, elastic and plastic deformation, elastic strain energy.
40-question multiple-choice paper (1 hour 15 minutes) covering all AS content: measurement, kinematics, dynamics, forces, work and energy, deformation, waves, superposition, electricity, D.C. circuits and particle physics. Tests breadth of the AS specification rather than any single topic.
Specification terms elid matches
physical quantities
kinematics
dynamics
forces
work energy power
deformation of solids
waves
superposition
electric current
d.c. circuits
particle physics
AS Advanced Practical Skills
Assessed in Paper 3
Timetabled laboratory paper (two 1-hour questions, 20 marks each) assessing manipulation, measurement and observation; presentation of data and observations; and analysis, conclusions and evaluation. Question 2 uses a deliberately inaccurate method that candidates must evaluate and improve. Assesses AO3 only - no prior knowledge of the theory is required.
Specification terms elid matches
table of results
column heading
raw data
line of best fit
trend line
gradient of a graph
y-intercept
false origin
anomalous point
estimating uncertainties
identifying limitations
suggesting improvements
percentage difference
repeat readings
A2 Planning, Analysis and Evaluation
Assessed in Paper 5
Written paper requiring no laboratory (two 15-mark questions) on the higher-order experimental skills. Question 1 is a planning question answered with a labelled diagram and extended writing; Question 2 supplies an equation and data from which a constant must be found, with the uncertainty in it estimated. Assesses AO3 only.
Specification terms elid matches
defining the problem
independent variable
dependent variable
variables kept constant
method of analysis
safety considerations
worst acceptable line
error bars
treatment of uncertainties
fractional uncertainty
derived quantities
planning an experiment
How the papers are weighted
elid uses these weightings when it decides which topics deserve your revision time first.
Paper
Share of the qualification
Paper 1
15.5%
Paper 2
23%
Paper 3
11.5%
Paper 4
38.5%
Paper 5
11.5%
Marked the way CAIE marks it
Paste an answer you have written and elid marks it point by point against the CAIE scheme: which marking points you hit, which you missed, and the sentence that would have earned each missing one. It is the difference between being told an answer is “good” and being told exactly where the marks went.
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