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Eduqas A-Level Physics (A720QS): complete guide to the three components and the exams

A complete guide to WJEC Eduqas A-Level Physics (specification A720QS, England). Covers the three exam components from Newtonian physics to nuclear physics and the options, how the papers are structured and marked, the specified practical work, the maths demand, the data booklet, and how to study each topic for top grades.

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Eduqas A-Level Physics (specification A720QS, England) is a two-year linear course assessed by three written papers at the end of Year 13. There is no coursework grade; practical work is reported separately as the Practical Endorsement. This page is the index: below is a map of the content, the exam structure, and how to study each part.

The Eduqas Physics components

The specification is organised into three components. On this site we teach that content as six modules, building from Newtonian mechanics to the modern physics of particles and the options.

Component 1 Newtonian Physics
Basic physics and units, kinematics, dynamics and Newton's laws, energy concepts, circular motion, vibrations (simple harmonic motion), kinetic theory and thermal physics. We teach this as the Newtonian mechanics module plus the oscillations and thermal physics module.
Component 2 Electricity and the Universe
Conduction of electricity, resistance, DC circuits, capacitance, solids under stress, electrostatic and gravitational fields, using radiation to investigate stars, and orbits and the wider universe. We teach this as the electricity and DC circuits module plus part of the fields and the universe module.
Component 3 Light, Nuclei and Options
The nature of waves, wave properties, refraction of light, photons, lasers, nuclear decay, particles and nuclear structure, nuclear energy, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, and one option. We teach this as the waves, photons and lasers module, the nuclear and particle physics module, and the field and induction content within fields and the universe.

Exam structure

Eduqas Physics is assessed by three written papers, all sat at the end of the course. A calculator and the Eduqas Data, Formulae and Relationships booklet are provided in every paper.

  • Component 1 (Newtonian Physics, A720U10) covers mechanics, oscillations and thermal physics. 2 hours 15 minutes, 100 marks, 31.25%.
  • Component 2 (Electricity and the Universe, A720U20) covers electricity, capacitance, materials, fields and astrophysics. 2 hours 15 minutes, 100 marks, 31.25%.
  • Component 3 (Light, Nuclei and Options, A720U30) covers waves, photons, lasers, nuclear and particle physics, magnetic fields, induction and one option. 2 hours 15 minutes, 100 marks, 37.5%.

At least 40% of marks assess maths skills, and practical skills from the specified practicals are tested across all three papers.

How to study Eduqas Physics

Physics rewards confident calculation, precise definitions, and clear diagrams.

  1. Work from the specification statements. Each statement is a checklist; questions are written from them.
  2. Drill the maths. With 40% of marks mathematical, rearranging equations, logs and exponentials, and uncertainty work must be automatic.
  3. Learn definitions and derivations. Mark schemes reward precise wording and standard derivations such as the kinetic theory equation pV=13Nmc2β€ΎpV = \frac{1}{3}Nm\overline{c^2}.
  4. Use the data booklet well. Nearly every equation is printed, so practise selecting the right one quickly rather than memorising forms.
  5. Master the specified practicals. The Young modulus, resistivity, SHM and capacitor experiments and uncertainty analysis recur across all three papers and underpin the Practical Endorsement.
  6. Practise past papers. Drill Eduqas papers from the start of Year 13 and rehearse the extended six-mark questions.

The modules, dot point by dot point

Each module has specification-statement-level answer pages with worked exam questions and cross-links, plus an overview guide and a check-your-knowledge quiz. Browse the full set at /a-level-eduqas/physics/syllabus.

For the official specification

Eduqas publishes the full specification (A720QS), past papers, mark schemes and the data booklet at eduqas.co.uk. Always revise from the current specification and Eduqas's own past papers, because question style is board-specific.

Physics guides

In-depth written guides with paired practice quizzes.

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Physics practice quizzes

Multiple-choice drills with worked answer explanations. Your scores stay on this device.

The A-LEVEL-EDUQAS system, explained

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Common questions about Physics

How is Eduqas A-Level Physics (A720QS) structured?
Eduqas A-Level Physics is a two-year linear course assessed entirely by three written exams at the end of Year 13. The content is organised into three components: Component 1 (Newtonian Physics), Component 2 (Electricity and the Universe) and Component 3 (Light, Nuclei and Options). On this site that content is taught as six modules from Newtonian mechanics to nuclear and particle physics. There is no coursework grade, but practical competence is reported separately as a Pass or Not classified Practical Endorsement.
What are the three Eduqas Physics exam papers?
Component 1 (Newtonian Physics, A720U10) is 2 hours 15 minutes, 100 marks and worth 31.25 per cent, covering motion, dynamics, energy, circular motion, vibrations, kinetic theory and thermal physics. Component 2 (Electricity and the Universe, A720U20) is also 2 hours 15 minutes, 100 marks and 31.25 per cent, covering electrical conduction, resistance, DC circuits, capacitance, solids under stress, fields and astrophysics. Component 3 (Light, Nuclei and Options, A720U30) is 2 hours 15 minutes, 100 marks and worth 37.5 per cent, covering waves, photons, lasers, nuclear and particle physics, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction and one option topic.
How much maths is in Eduqas Physics?
At least 40 per cent of the marks assess mathematical skills, the highest proportion of the three sciences. Expect algebra and rearranging equations, trigonometry for resolving vectors, logarithms and exponentials for capacitor discharge and radioactive decay, standard form and SI prefixes, gradients and areas under graphs, and uncertainty and error analysis. A calculator is allowed in every paper and Eduqas provides a Data, Formulae and Relationships booklet with nearly every equation, so the skill assessed is selecting and applying the right relationship rather than recalling its form.
What practical work does Eduqas Physics require?
Eduqas lists a set of specified practicals, for example measuring the Young modulus of a wire, finding the resistivity of a wire, investigating simple harmonic motion, and charging and discharging a capacitor. They are not assessed in a separate lab exam, but practical skills are tested across all three written papers. Separately, your teacher assesses hands-on competence against the practical criteria; passing earns the Practical Endorsement reported alongside your grade as Pass or Not classified.
Which option does Component 3 include?
Component 3 includes one option chosen from four: Option A Alternating currents, Option B Medical physics, Option C The physics of sports, and Option D Energy and the environment. Your school picks one option and teaches it to the whole class; the final section of the Component 3 paper sets questions on that option only. Medical physics is the most widely taught, covering X-rays, ultrasound, PET scanning and radiation dosimetry.
How should I structure my Eduqas Physics revision?
Work topic by topic against the specification statements, because questions are written directly from them. Build the Newtonian mechanics first because the suvat, force and energy methods underpin almost everything, then electricity and waves, then the more advanced fields, oscillations and nuclear physics. Physics rewards fluent calculation, so drill each equation type until automatic, learn definitions and derivations precisely, and practise past Eduqas papers under timed conditions from the start of Year 13.
How does Eduqas Physics compare to other exam boards?
All A-Level Physics specifications (Eduqas, OCR, AQA, Edexcel) cover the same core regulated content, so mechanics, fields and nuclear physics are broadly the same everywhere. Eduqas's distinctive features are its three-component structure, the early treatment of fields and astrophysics together in Component 2, the choice of one option in Component 3, and its generous data booklet. Eduqas and WJEC share much of the same content. Always revise from the current Eduqas specification and Eduqas past papers, because question style is board-specific.
How do I approach projectile motion problems?
Split the motion into horizontal (constant velocity) and vertical (constant acceleration due to gravity). Use t as the shared variable across both axes.
What's the difference between work and power?
Work (J) is energy transferred by a force over a distance. Power (W) is the rate of doing work β€” work divided by time.
When is momentum conserved?
In any collision (elastic or inelastic) where no external net force acts on the system. Kinetic energy is only conserved in elastic collisions.
What's the photoelectric effect?
Light shone on a metal can eject electrons, but only if the photon energy (hf) exceeds the work function. The kinetic energy of the ejected electron is hf - W. Evidence that light behaves as discrete quanta (photons).
How do magnetic forces on current-carrying wires work?
F = BIL sin ΞΈ for a wire in a uniform field B with current I and length L. Direction comes from the right-hand rule. Underpins motors, generators, and ammeters.