Physics
Cambridge AS/A Level
This is the published topic structure for Cambridge Cambridge AS/A Level Physics 9702, 2025–2027. Topics map to the papers below, so a student entered for only some components never sees progress counted against papers they do not sit.
Papers in this syllabus
Every component Cambridge lists for 9702. Which ones a candidate sits depends on the route chosen.
Syllabus topics
The topics a teacher works through, in syllabus order.
1 Physical quantities and units
Physical quantities · SI units · Errors and uncertainties · Scalars and vectors
2 Kinematics
Equations of motion
3 Dynamics
Momentum and Newton’s laws of motion · Non-uniform motion · Linear momentum and its conservation
4 Forces, density and pressure
Turning effects of forces · Equilibrium of forces · Density and pressure
5 Work, energy and power
Energy conservation · Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy
6 Deformation of solids
Stress and strain · Elastic and plastic behaviour
7 Waves
Progressive waves · Transverse and longitudinal waves · Doppler effect for sound waves · Electromagnetic spectrum · Polarisation
8 Superposition
Stationary waves · Diffraction · Interference · The diffraction grating
9 Electricity
Electric current · Potential difference and power · Resistance and resistivity
10 D.C. circuits
Practical circuits · Kirchhoff’s laws · Potential dividers
11 Particle physics
Atoms, nuclei and radiation · Fundamental particles
12 Motion in a circle
Kinematics of uniform circular motion · Centripetal acceleration
13 Gravitational fields
Gravitational field · Gravitational force between point masses · Gravitational field of a point mass · Gravitational potential
14 Temperature
Thermal equilibrium · Temperature scales · Specific heat capacity and specific latent heat
15 Ideal gases
The mole · Equation of state · Kinetic theory of gases
16 Thermodynamics
Internal energy · The first law of thermodynamics
17 Oscillations
Simple harmonic oscillations · Energy in simple harmonic motion · Damped and forced oscillations, resonance
18 Electric fields
Electric fields and field lines · Uniform electric fields · Electric force between point charges · Electric field of a point charge · Electric potential
19 Capacitance
Capacitors and capacitance · Energy stored in a capacitor · Discharging a capacitor
20 Magnetic fields
Concept of a magnetic field · Force on a current-carrying conductor · Force on a moving charge · Magnetic fields due to currents · Electromagnetic induction
21 Alternating currents
Characteristics of alternating currents · Rectification and smoothing
22 Quantum physics
Energy and momentum of a photon · Photoelectric effect · Wave-particle duality · Energy levels in atoms and line spectra
23 Nuclear physics
Mass defect and nuclear binding energy · Radioactive decay
24 Medical physics
Production and use of ultrasound · Production and use of X-rays · PET scanning
25 Astronomy and cosmology
Standard candles · Stellar radii · Hubble’s law and the Big Bang theory
Source: Cambridge International Physics 9702 syllabus, 2025–2027. Extracted and checked against the published structure. Cambridge International is not affiliated with Fect and does not endorse it. All Cambridge courses.