A Level Physics Flashcards: 7 Powerful Study Hacks To Finally Understand The Hard Topics – Use These Tricks To Turn Confusing Equations Into Easy, Memorable Flashcards

Stop Rereading The Textbook – A Level Physics Needs Active Recall

If you’re doing A Level Physics and feel like you kind of get it… until a past paper question slaps you in the face, you’re not alone.

The fix isn’t “more notes” or “more highlighting”.

You need active recall + spaced repetition – and that’s exactly where flashcards shine.

Instead of spending hours building everything from scratch, you can use an app like Flashrecall to create A Level Physics flashcards in seconds from your notes, PDFs, photos of your textbook, or even YouTube videos:

👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

Flashrecall basically does the boring part for you, so you can focus on actually understanding the physics.

Why Flashcards Work So Well For A Level Physics

Physics is a mix of:

• Definitions (displacement, emf, electric potential…)
• Formulas (SUVAT, Coulomb’s law, de Broglie wavelength, etc.)
• Concepts (interference, photoelectric effect, SHM, fields)
• Problem-solving methods (how to approach different question types)

Flashcards are perfect because they force you to pull the info out of your brain instead of just rereading. That’s active recall – and it’s been shown again and again to massively improve memory.

Flashrecall builds this in by default:

• Active recall: Every card asks you a question; you answer from memory.
• Spaced repetition: It automatically schedules reviews so you see tough cards more often and easy ones less often.
• Study reminders: You get gentle nudges so you don’t forget to revise.

You don’t have to think, “When should I review this?” – Flashrecall just handles it.

How To Structure A Level Physics Flashcards (Without Making 5,000 Cards)

You don’t need a flashcard for every sentence in your textbook. That just burns you out.

Use this simple rule:

1. Concept Cards

These are for key ideas and explanations.

What is the difference between scalar and vector quantities?

Scalar: magnitude only (e.g. speed, mass, energy).

Vector: magnitude + direction (e.g. velocity, force, displacement).

Explain why there is a minimum frequency in the photoelectric effect.

Below the threshold frequency, photons don’t have enough energy (hf) to overcome the work function of the metal, so no electrons are emitted.

Flashrecall makes this easy because you can:

• Type cards manually for specific concepts your teacher emphasises.
• Or generate cards from text: paste in your notes and let Flashrecall turn them into flashcards automatically.

2. Formula & Units Cards

Formulas are the backbone of A Level Physics. You need to know them cold.

State the equation linking momentum, mass, and velocity.

p = mv

What are the SI units of power, potential difference, and resistance?

Power: watt (W)

Potential difference: volt (V)

Resistance: ohm (Ω)

A good trick:

Make separate cards for:

• The formula
• The units
• The rearrangements (if you struggle with them)

Flashrecall’s spaced repetition will show you the formulas you keep forgetting more often, so those finally stick.

3. Graph & Diagram Cards

A Level Physics loves graphs: SHM, I–V characteristics, radioactive decay, etc.

You don’t have to redraw them 100 times.

With Flashrecall you can:

• Take a photo of a graph or diagram from your textbook or notes
• Turn it into a flashcard instantly
• Add a question like: “Label this graph” or “What does the gradient represent?”

Example:

Photo of an I–V graph for a filament lamp

Non-linear graph; resistance increases with temperature as current increases.

This is perfect for visual learners and saves a ton of time.

4. Past Paper Question Pattern Cards

Instead of making a flashcard for every past paper question, make cards for question types.

Photoelectric effect: what are the three most common types of exam questions?

1. Explaining threshold frequency/work function

2. Calculating kinetic energy or stopping potential

3. Interpreting graph of KE vs frequency or intensity vs rate of emission

You can even:

• Screenshot a tricky question
• Drop it into Flashrecall
• Add a short explanation to the back

Now, every time you review, you’re also revising how questions are asked, not just raw facts.

7 Powerful A Level Physics Flashcard Hacks (Using Flashrecall)

1. Turn Your Whole Physics Folder Into Cards In Minutes

Instead of manually typing everything:

• Paste text from your class notes, PDFs, or revision guides into Flashrecall
• Let it auto-generate flashcards from the content
• Quickly edit the ones you want to keep

You can also:

• Import YouTube links to physics videos (e.g. Physics Online, Allery Chemistry for physics bits, etc.)
• Let Flashrecall create cards from the video content so you’re not just passively watching.

👉 Download it here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

2. Use “Why?” And “Explain” Cards, Not Just Definitions

A Level Physics loves explain questions.

Don’t just memorise “what”, also memorise “why”.

Why does the resistance of a metal increase with temperature?

Ions vibrate more at higher temperatures, causing more frequent collisions with electrons, increasing resistance.

Explain why interference patterns are formed in Young’s double-slit experiment.

Light from the slits acts as coherent sources; path difference leads to constructive (bright) and destructive (dark) interference.

These are exactly the kind of 3–4 mark questions that catch people out. Flashrecall’s chat with your flashcard feature is great here: if you don’t fully understand an answer, you can literally chat with the card to dig deeper.

3. Mix Topics – Don’t Study In Neat Chapters

Your exam won’t say “Now only questions on Mechanics”. It mixes everything.

So sometimes, instead of only revising one topic, do mixed decks:

• Mechanics + Materials
• Waves + Quantum
• Fields + Nuclear

Flashrecall makes this easy: you can create separate decks for each topic but then study multiple decks together so your brain gets used to switching gears like in a real exam.

4. Use Short Daily Sessions (Spaced Repetition Magic)

Instead of cramming 3 hours once a week, aim for:

• 15–30 minutes per day
• Split across different topics

Flashrecall’s auto reminders will tell you when you’re due to review, so you don’t have to think about it. That’s spaced repetition: reviewing just before you’re about to forget, which is the sweet spot for memory.

Works great on the bus, before bed, or between lessons because Flashrecall works offline on iPhone and iPad.

5. Turn Common Mistakes Into Cards

Every time you mess up a question in a past paper, make a card:

I always forget this: what’s the difference between emf and potential difference?

Emf: energy supplied per unit charge by a source.

Potential difference: energy transferred per unit charge between two points in a circuit.

Or:

What did I do wrong in this momentum question? (attach image)

I forgot to take direction into account; momentum is a vector so signs matter.

This way, your exact weak spots get targeted, and Flashrecall’s spaced repetition keeps them coming back until they’re fixed.

6. Use Flashcards For Methods, Not Just Facts

Physics exams are full of “show that”, “hence”, and multi-step questions.

Make cards that walk through methods:

Steps to solve a typical SHM question (mass on a spring)?

1. Identify equilibrium position

2. Use F = –kx and F = ma to derive a = –(k/m)x

3. Compare with a = –ω²x to find ω

4. Use T = 2π/ω or f = ω/2π

5. Use x(t) or v(t) equations if needed

These method cards are gold a few weeks before the exam.

7. Use Flashrecall For All Your Subjects, Not Just Physics

The nice thing is: once you’re set up, you can use Flashrecall for:

• Maths: formulas, identities, proofs
• Chemistry: mechanisms, conditions, definitions
• Biology: processes, definitions, diagrams
• Languages: vocab + grammar
• Medicine / uni content later

It’s free to start, fast, and super simple to use.

Grab it here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

Example A Level Physics Flashcard Sets (You Can Copy)

Here are some ideas you can directly turn into decks in Flashrecall:

Mechanics & Materials Deck

• SUVAT equations + when to use each
• Newton’s laws (with examples)
• Stress, strain, Young modulus (definitions + graphs)
• Elastic vs plastic deformation

Waves & Optics Deck

• Wave definitions (displacement, amplitude, phase difference)
• Conditions for interference & diffraction
• Refractive index formulas
• Total internal reflection conditions

Electricity Deck

• Ohm’s law, resistivity, power equations
• Series vs parallel rules
• Kirchhoff’s laws
• I–V graphs for ohmic conductors, filament lamps, diodes

Quantum & Nuclear Deck

• Photoelectric effect terms & equations
• Line spectra, energy levels
• Half-life calculations
• Types of radiation + properties

You can build these by:

• Typing cards manually
• Snapping photos of your notes
• Importing PDF revision guides
• Using YouTube links and letting Flashrecall auto-generate cards

Final Thoughts: Make Physics Feel Lighter, Not Heavier

A Level Physics is tough, but it doesn’t have to feel like you’re constantly drowning in notes and formulas.

If you:

• Break concepts into small flashcards
• Use active recall
• Let spaced repetition handle the timing
• Turn your mistakes into cards

…you’ll feel way more confident walking into the exam.

Flashrecall just makes that whole system fast and painless:

• Instantly create cards from text, images, PDFs, audio, YouTube
• Built-in active recall + spaced repetition
• Study reminders so you don’t forget
• Works offline on iPhone and iPad
• Great for physics, other A Levels, and uni later

If you’re serious about smashing A Level Physics, it’s absolutely worth setting up:

👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the fastest way to create flashcards?

Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.

Is there a free flashcard app?

Yes. Flashrecall is free and lets you create flashcards from images, text, prompts, audio, PDFs, and YouTube videos.

How do I start spaced repetition?

You can manually schedule your reviews, but most people use apps that automate this. Flashrecall uses built-in spaced repetition so you review cards at the perfect time.

What is active recall and how does it work?

Active recall is the process of actively retrieving information from memory rather than passively reviewing it. Flashrecall forces proper active recall by making you think before revealing answers, then uses spaced repetition to optimize your review schedule.

How can I study more effectively for this test?

Effective exam prep combines active recall, spaced repetition, and regular practice. Flashrecall helps by automatically generating flashcards from your study materials and using spaced repetition to ensure you remember everything when exam day arrives.

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