Roadmap

Common foundations

Topic 1 - Key concepts of physics

1.1-1.4 - Units, prefixes and standard form

Working scientifically

WS 1-2 - Scientific models and investigations
WS 3-4 - Analysing and communicating evidence

Equations and exam preparation

Appendix 2 - Physics equations review

Paper 1

Topic 2 - Motion and forces

2.1-2.5 - Scalars, vectors, speed and velocity
2.6-2.7 - Speed and distance-time graphs
2.8-2.10 - Acceleration and velocity-time graphs
2.11-2.13 - Measuring and estimating motion
2.14-2.18 - Newton’s laws, mass and weight
2.19 - Force, mass and acceleration core practical
2.20-2.22 - Circular motion and inertial mass
2.23-2.26 - Force pairs and momentum
2.27-2.31 - Reaction times and stopping distance
2.32P-2.33P - Braking distance and work-energy

Topic 3 - Conservation of energy

3.3-3.8 - Energy stores, transfers and dissipation
3.1-3.2 - Gravitational and kinetic energy calculations
3.9-3.12 - Reducing waste and improving efficiency
3.13-3.14 - Energy resources and trends

Topic 4 - Waves

4.1-4.6 - Wave properties and equations
4.7, 4.17 - Measuring wave speed core practical
4.9P-4.11 - Wave interactions and refraction
4.12P-4.14P - Hearing and sound frequencies
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4.8P, 4.15P-4.16P - Ultrasound, infrasound and sound transmission
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Topic 5 - Light and the electromagnetic spectrum

5.1P - Reflection, refraction and total internal reflection
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5.2P-5.3P - Surfaces, filters and colour
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5.4P-5.6P - Lenses and real or virtual images
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5.7-5.8, 5.10-5.14 - Electromagnetic spectrum
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5.9 - Refraction in glass core practical
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5.15P-5.18P - Thermal radiation and Earth's temperature
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5.19P - Surface radiation core practical
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5.20-5.22 - Electromagnetic dangers and uses
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5.23-5.24 - EM radiation from circuits and atoms
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Topic 6 - Radioactivity

6.1-6.6 - Atomic structure and isotopes
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6.7-6.9 - Electron energies and positive ions
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6.10-6.16 - Nuclear radiation and background
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6.17 - Evidence for atomic models
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6.18-6.22 - Nuclear decay and nuclear equations
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6.23-6.27 - Activity, half-life and decay calculations
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6.28P-6.32 - Radiation uses, hazards and protection
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6.33P-6.35P - Medical radiation and PET
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6.36P-6.42P - Nuclear fission and power stations
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6.43P-6.46P - Nuclear fusion
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Topic 7 - Astronomy

7.1P-7.7P - Solar system, gravity and orbits
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7.8P-7.15P - Big Bang, red-shift and CMB
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7.16P-7.18P - Star life cycles
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7.19P - Observing the Universe
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Paper 2

Topic 8 - Energy: forces doing work

8.1-8.5 - Energy changes and work done
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8.6-8.9 - Work, GPE and kinetic energy
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8.10-8.11 - Dissipation and mechanical heating
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8.12-8.15 - Power and efficiency
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Topic 9 - Forces and their effects

9.1-9.5, 9.10 - Force interactions and free-body diagrams
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9.6P-9.9P - Moments, levers and gears
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Topic 10 - Electricity and circuits

10.1-10.3 - Charges, circuit symbols and connections
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10.4-10.6 - Potential difference and energy per charge
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10.7-10.11 - Current, charge and junctions
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10.12-10.14 - Resistance and circuit rules
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10.15-10.16 - Series calculations and measurement circuits
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10.17-10.18 - Circuit practical and I-V characteristics
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10.19-10.21 - LDRs, thermistors and sensing circuits
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10.22-10.27 - Heating effects and electrical energy
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10.28-10.32 - Electrical power and domestic devices
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10.33-10.36 - Direct and alternating supplies
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10.37-10.42 - Mains safety and appliance ratings
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Topic 11 - Static electricity

11.1P-11.5P - Charging, induction and earthing
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11.8P-11.10P - Electric fields
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11.6P-11.7P - Electrostatic uses and spark prevention
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Topic 12 - Magnetism and the motor effect

12.1-12.6 - Magnets and magnetic fields
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12.7-12.9 - Current, electromagnets and solenoids
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12.10-12.13 - Motor effect and force calculations
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12.14P - How an electric motor turns
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Topic 13 - Electromagnetic induction

13.1P-13.3P - Electromagnetic induction and generators
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13.4P - Microphones, loudspeakers and headphones
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13.5-13.7P - Transformers and turns ratio
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13.8-13.11P - National Grid and high-voltage transmission
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Topic 14 - Particle model

14.1-14.2 - Particle model and density
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14.3 - Density core practical
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14.4-14.6 - Changes of state and internal energy
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14.7-14.10 - Specific heat capacity and latent heat
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14.11 - Water heating and melting-ice core practical
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14.12-14.15 - Gas pressure and temperature
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14.16P-14.20P - Gas laws and work on gases
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Topic 15 - Forces and matter

15.1-15.5 - Elasticity, spring forces and energy
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15.6 - Spring extension and work core practical
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15.7P-15.12P - Pressure in fluids
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15.13P-15.14P - Liquid pressure calculations
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15.15P-15.17P - Upthrust, floating and sinking
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