Option Modules
A-level physics boards each require one further optional module on top of the core course. Most schools teach just one — this covers all five, so you have what you need whichever one your school picked.
Pick a module to see its lessons. Each module is self-contained and doesn't assume you've studied any of the others.
01
Medical PhysicsThe eye, the ear, the ECG, ultrasound, endoscopy, MRI, X-ray imaging and radionuclide imaging and therapy, split into 24 focused topics
The Eye5 lessons
The Eye as a Refracting System
Lens Equation and Power
Sensitivity and Resolution of the Eye
Myopia and Its Correction
Hypermetropia and Astigmatism
The Ear4 lessons
The Ear as a Detection System
Intensity and Intensity Level
Equal Loudness Curves
Defects of Hearing
The ECG1 lesson
The ECG
Ultrasound, Endoscopy and MRI5 lessons
Generating and Detecting Ultrasound
Acoustic Impedance and Reflection
A-Scans and B-Scans
Fibre Optics and Endoscopy
The MR Scanner
X-Ray Imaging4 lessons
X-Ray Production
Image Detection and Enhancement
Attenuation of X-Rays
The CT Scanner
Radionuclide Imaging and Radiotherapy5 lessons
Radionuclide Imaging
Physical, Biological and Effective Half-Life
The Gamma Camera
Radiation Therapy
Comparing Imaging Techniques
02
Engineering PhysicsRotational dynamics, oscillations, thermodynamics, engineering materials and real-world applications, split into 37 focused topics
Rotational Dynamics7 lessons
Angular Displacement
Angular Velocity
Angular Acceleration
Rotational Equations of Motion
Linear and Angular Motion
Centripetal Acceleration
Centripetal Force
Rotational Energy5 lessons
Moment of Inertia
Rotational Kinetic Energy
Angular Momentum
Conservation of Angular Momentum
Flywheels
Oscillations in Engineering5 lessons
Mechanical Oscillations
Resonance
Forced Vibrations
Damping
Engineering Applications of SHM
Thermodynamics6 lessons
Internal Energy
First Law of Thermodynamics
Heat Engines
Efficiency
Carnot Cycle
Refrigerators and Heat Pumps
Engineering Materials9 lessons
Stress and Strain
Young Modulus
Elastic Deformation
Plastic Deformation
Stress–Strain Graphs
Tensile Testing
Ductile and Brittle Materials
Fatigue
Fracture
Engineering Applications5 lessons
Bearings
Lubrication
Gears
Engineering Safety Factors
Engineering Failures
03
Turning Points in PhysicsThe electron discovery, wave-particle duality, electron microscopes and special relativity, split into 30 focused topics
The Discovery of the Electron5 lessons
Cathode Rays
Thermionic Emission
Thomson's Measurement of the Specific Charge (e/m)
Millikan's Oil-Drop Experiment
Electron Energy Levels
The Wave Nature of Light6 lessons
Newton's Corpuscular Theory
Huygens' Wave Theory
Young's Double-Slit Experiment
Diffraction and Interference
Maxwell's Electromagnetic Theory
Hertz and the Detection of Radio Waves
The Photoelectric Effect3 lessons
Black-Body Radiation
The Photoelectric Effect
Einstein's Photon Theory
Wave-Particle Duality of Matter3 lessons
De Broglie Wavelength
Electron Diffraction
The Wave Nature of Matter
Electron Microscopes3 lessons
The Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)
The Scanning Tunnelling Microscope (STM)
Advantages Over Optical Microscopes
The Ether Theory3 lessons
The Luminiferous Ether
The Michelson-Morley Experiment
Failure to Detect the Ether
Postulates of Special Relativity2 lessons
The Principle of Relativity
The Constant Speed of Light
Consequences of Special Relativity5 lessons
Time Dilation
Length Contraction
Relativistic Mass-Energy
Mass-Energy Equivalence (E = mc²)
Relativistic Energy
04
ElectronicsSemiconductor devices, signal processing, resonance, op-amps, digital logic and communication systems, split into 24 focused topics
Semiconductor Devices5 lessons
The MOSFET
MOSFET as a Switch
Zener Diode
Photodiode
Hall Effect Sensor
Signal Processing3 lessons
Analogue and Digital Signals
Analogue-to-Digital Conversion
Noise and Signal Recovery
Resonance and the Ideal Op-Amp3 lessons
LC Resonance
Q Factor and Bandwidth
The Ideal Operational Amplifier
Operational Amplifier Circuits4 lessons
Inverting Amplifier
Non-Inverting Amplifier
Summing and Difference Amplifiers
Real Operational Amplifiers
Digital Logic4 lessons
Combinational Logic
Designing Logic Circuits
Sequential Logic: Counters
Astables
Communication Systems5 lessons
Communication Systems
Transmission Media
Comparing Media
Time-Division Multiplexing
AM and FM
05
AstrophysicsTelescopes, stellar classification, distance measurement, cosmology, exoplanets, stellar evolution and orbital mechanics
Telescopes6 lessons
Introduction to Telescopes
Refracting Telescopes
Reflecting Telescopes
Telescope Magnification
Resolving Power and Diffraction
CCD Detectors
Classification of Stars7 lessons
Apparent and Absolute Magnitude
Luminosity and the Inverse Square Law
Black Body Radiation
Wien's Displacement Law
Stefan–Boltzmann Law
The Hertzsprung–Russell Diagram
Stellar Evolution Using the H–R Diagram
Measuring Astronomical Distances4 lessons
Stellar Parallax
The Parsec
Cepheid Variable Stars
Standard Candles
Cosmology5 lessons
Doppler Effect and Red Shift
Hubble's Law
Expansion of the Universe
Evidence for the Big Bang
Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
Extrasolar Planets3 lessons
Transit Method
Radial Velocity (Doppler) Method
Habitable Zones
Stellar Evolution7 lessons
Formation of Stars
Main Sequence Stars
Red Giants
White Dwarfs
Neutron Stars
Black Holes
Supernovae
Gravitation and Orbits4 lessons
Circular Orbits
Escape Velocity
Planetary Motion
Satellites