The AQA A level Physics data and formulae booklet
Every AQA A-level Physics paper comes with the Data and Formulae booklet. It holds the constants, the particle physics tables and most of the equations, topic by topic. Knowing exactly where everything is, and what is missing, saves time and marks.
On this page
About the booklet
AQA's A-level Physics data and formulae booklet (7408) is for use in exams from June 2017 onwards. The current version is labelled Version 1.7; older copies labelled 1.5 also circulate, so download the latest from AQA before you revise. The same booklet is used in Papers 1, 2 and 3.
What is in it, section by section
- Fundamental constants and values: the speed of light, permeability and permittivity of free space, the electron charge, the Planck, gravitational, Avogadro, molar gas, Boltzmann, Stefan and Wien constants, particle masses, g = 9.81, and the atomic mass unit (1 u = 931.5 MeV).
- Algebraic and geometric equations: the quadratic formula, arc length, circumference and area of a circle, and the curved surface area of a cylinder, area of a sphere and volume of a sphere.
- Astronomical data: the mass and radius of the Sun and the Earth.
- Particle physics: a table of particles and rest energies, and the properties of quarks (charge, baryon number, strangeness) and leptons.
- Photons and energy levels: E = hf, the photoelectric equation, energy levels and the de Broglie wavelength.
- Waves: c = fλ, f = 1/T, the first harmonic of a string, fringe spacing, the diffraction grating, refractive index, the law of refraction and the critical angle.
- Mechanics: moments, velocity and acceleration, the equations of motion, F = ma, F = Δ(mv)/Δt, impulse, work, kinetic and potential energy, power and efficiency.
- Materials: density, Hooke's law, the Young modulus, tensile stress and strain, and energy stored.
- Electricity: current, potential difference, resistance, resistivity, resistors in series and parallel, power and e.m.f.
- Circular motion and simple harmonic motion: angular speed, centripetal acceleration and force, and the SHM equations, including the periods of a mass-spring system and a simple pendulum.
- Thermal physics, gravitational fields, electric fields and capacitors, magnetic fields and nuclear physics.
- The option topics, such as medical physics, engineering physics and electronics: use only the section for your option.
What you still need to know
- Definitions: the booklet gives equations, not definitions such as “the Young modulus is the ratio of tensile stress to tensile strain”.
- Units: many questions ask for units, and the booklet does not give the unit of every quantity.
- Conditions: for example, the equations of motion assume constant acceleration, and the pendulum formula assumes small oscillations.
- Practical skills and uncertainties, which are tested in every paper.
Using the booklet: energy levels
An electron falls from an energy level of −3.4 eV to −13.6 eV. Find the wavelength of the photon emitted.
- Energy difference = 10.2 eV = 10.2 × 1.60 × 10−19 = 1.632 × 10−18 J (charge of the electron from the constants).
- λ = hc / E = (6.63 × 10−34 × 3.00 × 108) / 1.632 × 10−18 = 1.22 × 10−7 m (122 nm).
Using two sections together
A 0.50 kg mass on a spring of stiffness 200 N/m oscillates. Find its period and its maximum speed for an amplitude of 0.040 m.
- T = 2π√(m/k) = 2π√(0.50/200) = 0.31 s.
- ω = 2π/T = √(k/m) = 20 rad/s, so vmax = ωA = 20 × 0.040 = 0.80 m/s.
A particle physics check
Find the charge of a particle made of quarks uds.
- From the quark table: u = +⅔e, d = −⅓e, s = −⅓e.
- Total = +⅔ − ⅓ − ⅓ = 0. It is neutral (a lambda baryon).
How to train with it
- Use the current version for all homework and past papers.
- Before each question, decide which section you need and go straight to it.
- Keep your own list of definitions and conditions the booklet does not contain.
- Check constants rather than memorising them, but know their rough sizes so you notice wrong answers.
Which sections each paper uses
- Paper 1 (2 hours, 85 marks): the first half of the course, from measurements and particles to mechanics, materials, electricity and periodic motion.
- Paper 2 (2 hours, 85 marks): thermal physics, fields and nuclear physics, with the earlier topics assumed.
- Paper 3 (2 hours, 80 marks): practical skills and data analysis, plus your option topic, using the option section of the booklet.
Because the same booklet serves all three papers, practise finding equations from every section, not only the one you are revising.
A good habit is to note the booklet section next to each past paper question as you mark it. After a few papers you will know the layout well enough to find any equation in seconds.
Common mistakes
- Using an older version of the booklet with different page layouts.
- Forgetting to convert eV to joules before using E = hf.
- Using the wrong option section.
- Expecting definitions to be given.
Practice questions
Try each one before opening the answer.
Q1. Which section of the booklet gives the properties of quarks?
Show answer
Q2. Find the de Broglie wavelength of an electron with momentum 1.0 × 10−24 kg m/s.
Show answer
Q3. Find the period of a 0.80 m pendulum with g = 9.81 m s−2.
Show answer
Frequently asked questions
Is the AQA data booklet the same for every paper?
Yes, the same booklet is used in Papers 1, 2 and 3.
Which version should I use?
The latest on AQA's website. At the time of writing that is Version 1.7.
Do I need to learn equations for AQA Physics?
You need to understand and use them, and learn definitions and conditions. Most equations are in the booklet.
Key takeaways
- One booklet for all three AQA papers.
- Constants, particle tables and equations by topic, then options.
- Use the latest version (1.7).
- Definitions, units and conditions are not given.
- Train with it for every past paper.