Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics Coursebook

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics Coursebook
by David Sang, Graham Jones, Gurinder Chadha, Richard Woodside
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This book covers the entire syllabus of Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics (9702) for
examination from 2022. This book is in three parts:
• Chapters 1–15 and P1: the AS Level content, covered in the first year of the course, including a
chapter (P1) dedicated to the development of your practical skills
• Chapters 16–31 and P2: the A Level content, including a chapter (P2) dedicated to developing your
ability to plan, analyse and evaluate practical investigations
Appendices of useful formulae, a Glossary and an Index.
The main tasks of a textbook like this are to explain the various concepts of physics that you need to
understand, and to provide you with questions that will help you to test your understanding and develop
the key skills you need to succeed on this course. You will find a visual guide to the structure of each
chapter and the features of this book on the next two pages.
In your study of physics, you will find that certain key concepts are repeated, and that these concepts
form ‘themes’ that link the different areas of physics together. It will help you to progress and gain
confidence in your understanding of physics if you take note of these themes. For this Coursebook, these
key concepts include:
models of physical systems
testing predictions against evidence
- mathematics as a language and problem-solving tool
- matter, energy and waves
- forces and fields.
In this Coursebook, the mathematics has been kept to the minimum required by the Cambridge
International AS & A Level Physics syllabus (9702). If you are also studying mathematics, you may find
that more advanced techniques such as calculus will help you with many aspects of physics.
Studying physics is a stimulating and worthwhile experience. It is an international subject; no single
country has a monopoly on the development of the ideas. It can be a rewarding exercise to discover how
men and women from many countries have contributed to our knowledge and well-being, through their
research into and application of the concepts of physics. We hope not only that this book will help you to
succeed in your future studies and career, but also that it will stimulate your curiosity and fire your
imagination. Today’s students become the next generation of physicists and engineers, and we hope that
you will learn from the past to take physics to ever-greater heights.