Can someone suggest good websites for A Level (Grade 11 & 12) physics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for websites and resources to assist A Level students studying physics under the British Edexcel specification. Participants express concerns about the adequacy of their current study materials and seek accessible online resources that cover foundational concepts before advancing to more complex topics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty with physics due to uncooperative teachers and a lack of foundational review, seeking trusted online resources that are free and easy to follow.
  • Another participant suggests websites like Hyperphysics and Motion Mountain as potential resources, while also recommending traditional textbooks such as Halliday & Resnick or Serway for a more structured approach.
  • A participant acknowledges having Halliday & Resnick but mentions a teacher's warning about its complexity, indicating uncertainty about whether to use it.
  • Another participant questions the absence of a required or recommended textbook for the course and points out that the specification document lists some recommended textbooks.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of online resources versus traditional textbooks. While some advocate for online sites, others emphasize the importance of using standard textbooks for a more reliable study experience. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to studying physics at this level.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the potential for online resources to contain questionable information, highlighting the importance of reliable sources. There is also mention of varying opinions on the appropriateness of certain textbooks for the student's level.

Who May Find This Useful

A Level students studying physics, educators looking for resource recommendations, and individuals interested in online learning tools for foundational physics concepts.

slakedlime
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Hi! I'm an A Level student studying under the British Edexcel specification (8540). I'm struggling with physics. My teachers at school are uncooperative and boring; it's only been a month and without reviewing basics they're already taking tests. I don't remember much from my GCSEs and my books aren't helping. I primarily study online. Can someone please recommend a few trusted, comprehensive sites that cover basics before moving onto the harder topics covered in the A2s? It would be really useful if they are free and the material easy to follow. I have a lot of experience of sites that beat about the bush without really going anywhere. Thank-you in advance! :smile:

Edexcel homepage: http://www.edexcel-international.org"
 
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There are sites like Hyperphysics (http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html) or online textbooks such as Motion Mountain (http://www.motionmountain.net/) -- I haven't used that one.

slakedlime said:
I primarily study online.

and
I have a lot of experience of sites that beat about the bush without really going anywhere.

Why not just get a good textbook like Halliday & Resnick, or Serway? One could easily waste a lot of time poking around for online pages that may have questionable information anyways. It's much more efficient just to grab a standard physics text and start working through problems.
 
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Thanks for your help! I have a copy of Halliday and Resnick but one of my teachers said that it was too complicated for my level and that it'd be easy to get derailed. But now I think I'll give it a shot!
 
Does the course not have a required or recommended textbook? :confused:

Added later: I found the specification document at

http://www.edexcel-international.org/quals/gce/physics/as/8540/

and indeed it lists some recommended textbooks. I second what bravernix said about websites versus textbooks. If you don't like the textbook that you're currently using, try others at a similar level.
 
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