AQA AS Level Physics 7407/1 Paper 1
— Core Theory (2026/2027)
Exam Introduction:
The AQA AS Level Physics (7407) is a linear qualification that serves as the first year of the full A-
level Physics course or as a standalone AS certification. Paper 1 (7407/1) is a written
examination worth 50% of the AS qualification, assessing core theory content across five
fundamental topic areas. The paper contains 70 marks of short and long answer questions,
including multiple-choice, structured calculations, and extended response (Level of Response)
questions requiring coherent, logically structured reasoning.
The exam is designed to test knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes,
techniques and procedures, the ability to apply these in theoretical and practical contexts, and
the capacity to analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information to make judgements and
reach conclusions.
Exam Specifications:
TOTAL: 70 marks across approximately 9 questions
TIME LIMIT: 1 hour 30 minutes
WEIGHTING: 50% of AS Level
FORMAT: Written examination — short answer, calculations, Level of Response extended
writing, and structured long answer questions
COGNITIVE DISTRIBUTION:
• 30% Recall (definitions, formulas, units, basic concepts)
• 50% Application (calculations, applying formulas to scenarios, data handling)
• 20% Analysis (extended response, evaluating experiments, drawing conclusions)
CONTENT AREAS (based on official AQA AS Physics 7407 specification):
Content Area Marks Key Topics
Measurements & SI units and prefixes, limitations of physical measurements, uncertainty and
6-8
Their Errors error analysis, significant figures
, Content Area Marks Key Topics
Constituents of the atom, stable/unstable nuclei,
Particles &
10-12 particles/antiparticles/photons, particle interactions and exchange particles,
Radiation
quarks and antiquarks, photoelectric effect, energy levels, wave-particle dua
Progressive and stationary waves, interference, diffraction, superposition,
Waves 12-14
refraction, polarisation, path difference, Young's double-slit experiment
Scalars and vectors, motion along a straight line (SUVAT),
Mechanics &
20-24 forces/energy/momentum, density, stress-strain relationships, Young modul
Materials
elastic behaviour, moments, conservation of energy
Current-voltage characteristics, resistivity and resistance, EMF and internal
Electricity 14-16
resistance, series and parallel circuits, potential dividers, Kirchhoff's laws
Q1. (Total 4 marks)
(a) Which of the following is a base SI unit? (1 mark)
A. Newton (N)
B. Joule (J)
C. Kelvin (K)
D. Volt (V)
(b) A student measures the diameter of a wire using a micrometer. The reading is 0.84 mm ±
0.01 mm.
Calculate the percentage uncertainty in this measurement. (2 marks)
(c) The student uses this diameter to calculate the cross-sectional area of the wire. State how
the percentage uncertainty in the area compares to the percentage uncertainty in the diameter.
(1 mark)
Correct Answer / Mark Scheme:
(a) C — Kelvin (K) is a base SI unit. The others are derived units. [1 mark]
— Core Theory (2026/2027)
Exam Introduction:
The AQA AS Level Physics (7407) is a linear qualification that serves as the first year of the full A-
level Physics course or as a standalone AS certification. Paper 1 (7407/1) is a written
examination worth 50% of the AS qualification, assessing core theory content across five
fundamental topic areas. The paper contains 70 marks of short and long answer questions,
including multiple-choice, structured calculations, and extended response (Level of Response)
questions requiring coherent, logically structured reasoning.
The exam is designed to test knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes,
techniques and procedures, the ability to apply these in theoretical and practical contexts, and
the capacity to analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information to make judgements and
reach conclusions.
Exam Specifications:
TOTAL: 70 marks across approximately 9 questions
TIME LIMIT: 1 hour 30 minutes
WEIGHTING: 50% of AS Level
FORMAT: Written examination — short answer, calculations, Level of Response extended
writing, and structured long answer questions
COGNITIVE DISTRIBUTION:
• 30% Recall (definitions, formulas, units, basic concepts)
• 50% Application (calculations, applying formulas to scenarios, data handling)
• 20% Analysis (extended response, evaluating experiments, drawing conclusions)
CONTENT AREAS (based on official AQA AS Physics 7407 specification):
Content Area Marks Key Topics
Measurements & SI units and prefixes, limitations of physical measurements, uncertainty and
6-8
Their Errors error analysis, significant figures
, Content Area Marks Key Topics
Constituents of the atom, stable/unstable nuclei,
Particles &
10-12 particles/antiparticles/photons, particle interactions and exchange particles,
Radiation
quarks and antiquarks, photoelectric effect, energy levels, wave-particle dua
Progressive and stationary waves, interference, diffraction, superposition,
Waves 12-14
refraction, polarisation, path difference, Young's double-slit experiment
Scalars and vectors, motion along a straight line (SUVAT),
Mechanics &
20-24 forces/energy/momentum, density, stress-strain relationships, Young modul
Materials
elastic behaviour, moments, conservation of energy
Current-voltage characteristics, resistivity and resistance, EMF and internal
Electricity 14-16
resistance, series and parallel circuits, potential dividers, Kirchhoff's laws
Q1. (Total 4 marks)
(a) Which of the following is a base SI unit? (1 mark)
A. Newton (N)
B. Joule (J)
C. Kelvin (K)
D. Volt (V)
(b) A student measures the diameter of a wire using a micrometer. The reading is 0.84 mm ±
0.01 mm.
Calculate the percentage uncertainty in this measurement. (2 marks)
(c) The student uses this diameter to calculate the cross-sectional area of the wire. State how
the percentage uncertainty in the area compares to the percentage uncertainty in the diameter.
(1 mark)
Correct Answer / Mark Scheme:
(a) C — Kelvin (K) is a base SI unit. The others are derived units. [1 mark]
