A-Level Physics: Materials Revision

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What does Young's modulus measure?

Materials is a core part of A-Level Physics. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.

Key concepts

Densityρ = m/V, mass per unit volume of a substance, measured in kg m⁻³.

Hooke's lawF = kx for an elastic material below the limit of proportionality.

Young's modulusE = stress/strain, a measure of stiffness, measured in pascals.

Stressσ = F/A, force per unit cross-sectional area, in pascals.

Strainε = ΔL/L, fractional change in length; dimensionless.

Elastic limitMaximum stress beyond which a material does not return to its original length when load is removed.

Stress & strainStress = force/area; strain = extension/length.

Young modulusStress ÷ strain; a measure of stiffness.

What your exam board covers

Where Materials sits in each exam board's specification. Tap a board to see what it lists.

AQAMechanics and materialsSpec 7408

Force, energy and momentum
Materials

Source: AQA A-level Physics (7408) specification — Subject content, accessed 23 June 2026.

EdexcelMaterialsSpec 9PH0

Density, upthrust and viscous drag
Hooke's law, stress, strain and the Young modulus
Elastic strain energy

Source: Pearson Edexcel A-Level Physics (9PH0) specification, accessed 23 June 2026.

Learn Materials step by step

Free interactive mini-lessons: short screens, worked examples and quick checks. Pick your exam board:

Other boards:CCEA Eduqas/WJEC OCR

Common mistakes to avoid

Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:

What does Young's modulus measure?✗ Young's modulus measures how strong a material is — how much force it can take before breaking. ✓ The stiffness of a material — the ratio of stress to strain in the elastic region.

What is the formula for Young's modulus?✗ Force / area — the same as stress itself. ✓ Stress / strain — the ratio in the linear (elastic) region of a stress-strain graph.

What happens to a metal wire stretched beyond its elastic limit?✗ It snaps immediately at the elastic limit. ✓ It deforms plastically and will not return to its original length when the load is removed.

What is the difference between heat and temperature?✗ Heat and temperature are the same thing — both measure how hot something is. ✓ Heat is the energy transferred due to temperature difference; temperature measures average kinetic energy of particles.

Practise Materials — free games

Test yourself with these quick revision games for this topic:

▶ Two Truths, One Lie ▶ Reveal Race ▶ Connections Grid ▶ Falling Words ▶ Word Web

See all 22 games in the Revision Arcade →

Materials

Key concepts

What your exam board covers

Common mistakes to avoid

Practise Materials — free games

More A-Level Physics topics