Edexcel GCSE Physics

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Common foundations

Paper 1

Topic 2 - Motion and forces

2.1-2.5 - Scalars, vectors, speed and velocityDistance and displacement can describe the same journey differently. Learn when direction matters, how an arrow represents a vector, and why equal speeds need not mean equal velocities.
2.6-2.7 - Speed and distance-time graphsTurn a journey into a calculation or a distance-time graph. Use the whole journey’s distance and time to find average speed, then use graph gradients to compare individual stages.
2.8-2.10 - Acceleration and velocity-time graphsVelocity can change even when an object is already moving. Learn how signs, gradients and areas describe a journey, and how to choose an equation when time is unknown. This lesson, including graph area, is for both tiers.
2.11-2.13 - Measuring and estimating motionChoose a speed-measurement method by matching a measured distance to its corresponding time. Then use familiar speeds and accelerations to judge whether a result is plausible.
2.14-2.18 - Newton’s laws, mass and weightForces explain changes in motion, while weight explains the pull of gravity. Learn to find the resultant force before using Newton’s laws, distinguish mass from weight, and make a valid force-meter measurement.
2.19 - Force, mass and acceleration core practicalInvestigate why adding mass to a trolley changes its acceleration. Measure the driving force and motion, control the comparison, then use repeat readings and graphs to test the model and its limitations.
2.20-2.22 - Circular motion and inertial massHigher tier: an object can accelerate without getting faster. Use changing direction to explain circular motion, then use inertial mass to compare how difficult it is to change an object’s velocity.
2.23-2.26 - Force pairs and momentumStart by distinguishing forces that balance on one object from a third-law pair acting on two objects. That equilibrium reasoning is for both tiers. Higher-tier sections then explain momentum, collisions and forces during a change in momentum.
2.27-2.31 - Reaction times and stopping distanceA car travels while its driver reacts and again while it brakes. Learn to measure reaction time, explain changes in stopping distance and understand why sudden stops are dangerous. Only the final numerical force-estimation section is Higher tier.
2.32P-2.33P - Braking distance and work-energyA small increase in speed can require much more braking distance. Use typical stopping data and a work-energy model to explain the difference between a sensible estimate and a controlled calculation. Separate Physics content for both tiers.

Topic 3 - Conservation of energy

3.3-3.8 - Energy stores, transfers and dissipationWhen a trolley stops, its energy has not vanished. Track energy between stores, draw transfer diagrams and use conservation to explain lifting, collisions, braking and heating water.
3.1-3.2 - Gravitational and kinetic energy calculationsRaising an object increases its gravitational potential energy; making it move gives it kinetic energy. Learn to choose the right relationship, convert units, rearrange equations and explain why a change in speed has a squared effect.
3.9-3.12 - Reducing waste and improving efficiencyA warm bearing or a cooling room reveals an energy transfer. Learn how lubrication and insulation reduce unwanted transfers, how walls affect cooling, and how efficiency measures the useful fraction of an input.
3.13-3.14 - Energy resources and trendsElectricity can be generated from moving water, sunlight or fuels, with different benefits and limitations. Compare the resources, follow their transfer routes and use data to distinguish a long-term trend from a short-term fluctuation.

Topic 4 - Waves

4.1-4.6 - Wave properties and equationsLearn how waves transfer energy, describe a repeating wave, and choose the measurements and equations that give its speed.
4.7, 4.17 - Measuring wave speed core practicalMeasure water waves, sound in air and vibrations in a metal rod, then judge whether each instrument can resolve the quantity it measures.
4.9P-4.11 - Wave interactions and refractionFollow reflected, transmitted and absorbed wave energy at a boundary, then explain refraction and why the material and wavelength both matter. The speed explanation in 4.10 and all of 4.11 are Higher-tier content.
4.12P-4.14P - Hearing and sound frequenciesFollow sound through vibrating solids and the human ear, explain the limits of hearing, and distinguish ultrasound from infrasound. This lesson is Higher-tier separate Physics.
4.8P, 4.15P-4.16P - Ultrasound, infrasound and sound transmissionUse echoes to measure distance and form images, and use seismic waves as evidence about the Earth. Echo calculations and applications are Higher-tier; the final part on sound crossing media (4.16P) applies to both tiers.

Topic 5 - Light and the electromagnetic spectrum

5.1P - Reflection, refraction and total internal reflectionConstruct and interpret rays at a boundary, measure angles from the normal, and identify when light is totally internally reflected.
5.2P-5.3P - Surfaces, filters and colourExplain why smooth and rough surfaces reflect light differently, then track which colours reach an observer after a surface or filter selects them.
5.4P-5.6P - Lenses and real or virtual imagesConnect lens curvature, focal length and power, then construct rays to locate images and distinguish actual convergence from a virtual image.
5.7-5.8, 5.10-5.14 - Electromagnetic spectrumExplore the continuous electromagnetic spectrum, its shared properties and visible colours. The final two parts explain wavelength-dependent interactions and refraction at Higher tier.
5.9 - Refraction in glass core practicalTrace light through a rectangular glass block, measure angles from the normal, and evaluate the evidence and uncertainty in a refraction investigation.
5.15P-5.18P - Thermal radiation and Earth's temperatureExplain how temperature changes thermal emission. At Higher tier, compare incoming and outgoing radiation to predict the temperature of a body or the Earth.
5.19P - Surface radiation core practicalInvestigate how different surfaces change hot-water cooling, using fair controls, repeated runs and careful interpretation of temperature data.
5.20-5.22 - Electromagnetic dangers and usesMatch electromagnetic waves to useful applications and distinguish the heating, cell and eye damage caused by excessive exposure.
5.23-5.24 - EM radiation from circuits and atomsTrace energy carried by radiation between circuits, atoms and nuclei. Radio circuit oscillations are Higher-tier; atomic and nuclear emission and absorption apply to both tiers.

Topic 6 - Radioactivity

6.1-6.6 - Atomic structure and isotopesBuild a model of the atom, compare its particles and use nuclear notation to distinguish elements and isotopes. Charge and mass describe different properties: understanding that distinction explains why an atom is neutral.
6.7-6.9 - Electron energies and positive ionsFollow energy as a bound electron changes level, then distinguish that change from an electron leaving the atom altogether. The same charge model explains why removing a negative electron creates a positive ion.
6.10-6.16 - Nuclear radiation and backgroundIdentify radiation from unstable nuclei, compare how it interacts with matter and explain the counts a detector records even without a laboratory source.
6.17 - Evidence for atomic modelsTrace a prediction, the observations that challenged it and the changes scientists made to their atomic model. Separate what alpha scattering revealed about the nucleus from Bohr’s later model of electron energies.
6.18-6.22 - Nuclear decay and nuclear equationsUse changes in protons and neutrons to explain radioactive emissions, then balance nuclear equations one number row at a time. A gamma emission removes energy without changing the element.
6.23-6.27 - Activity, half-life and decay calculationsConnect unpredictable individual decays to a predictable pattern for a large source. Use repeated halving and the time interval between graph readings to calculate activity and half-life.
6.28P-6.32 - Radiation uses, hazards and protectionMatch each use of radiation to its ionising and penetrating properties. Then connect tissue damage, half-life and the route of exposure to the precautions that protect patients, workers and the public.
6.33P-6.35P - Medical radiation and PETCompare two ways to target a tumour, then follow the separate diagnostic process from a radioactive tracer to a PET image. The source’s position, emitted radiation and half-life determine how it can be used.
6.36P-6.42P - Nuclear fission and power stationsFollow a neutron-triggered fission through a controlled chain reaction to electrical generation. Use that mechanism to weigh nuclear power’s benefits, radioactive waste and safety requirements.
6.43P-6.46P - Nuclear fusionExplain how smaller nuclei can join and release energy, why positive nuclei resist close approach and why maintaining fusion conditions makes useful power difficult to obtain.

Topic 7 - Astronomy

7.1P-7.7P - Solar system, gravity and orbitsUse gravity to connect weight on different worlds with the paths of planets and satellites. Follow how observations changed the Solar System model, then distinguish orbital speed from changing velocity.
7.8P-7.15P - Big Bang, red-shift and CMBUse wave measurements to explain galaxy red-shift and test two models of the Universe. Distinguish evidence shared by both models from the microwave background that favours a hot early Universe.
7.16P-7.18P - Star life cyclesFollow how gravity and pressure build a stable star and how changing fusion conditions end that balance. Compare the Sun-like route to a white dwarf with the much more massive route through a supernova.
7.19P - Observing the UniverseObserving tools changed what astronomers could detect, record and compare. Use the atmosphere’s different effects on radiation to decide which instruments benefit from going into space.

Paper 2

Topic 8 - Energy: forces doing work

8.1-8.5 - Energy changes and work doneA wound-up toy moves, slows and warms its surroundings. Use energy stores and transfer diagrams to explain these changes, then measure the force and distance needed to determine mechanical work.
8.6-8.9 - Work, GPE and kinetic energyA force can raise a load or speed up a trolley. Work describes the energy transfer; gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy describe the stores that change. Link these ideas through worked calculations.
8.10-8.11 - Dissipation and mechanical heatingBrakes and moving machine parts become warmer when forces do work against friction. Follow the energy to its thermal destinations and explain why it is conserved but less useful for further motion.
8.12-8.15 - Power and efficiencyTwo motors can do the same work at different rates and use different fractions of their input usefully. Calculate power in joules per second, calculate efficiency, and explain why the two comparisons can give different answers.

Topic 10 - Electricity and circuits

10.1-10.3 - Charges, circuit symbols and connectionsUnderstand atomic charge, recognise circuit symbols and trace the connections that make a circuit series or parallel.
10.4-10.6 - Potential difference and energy per chargeConnect a voltmeter across a component, explain its reading as energy per coulomb and use charge and voltage to calculate energy transfer.
10.7-10.11 - Current, charge and junctionsFollow charge around a complete circuit, measure its flow with an ammeter and use conservation of charge to explain junction currents.
10.12-10.14 - Resistance and circuit rulesUse resistance to control current, calculate with V = IR and explain why series and parallel arrangements change total resistance differently.
10.15-10.16 - Series calculations and measurement circuitsCalculate how current and potential difference behave in a series circuit, then design a circuit that measures the current through and voltage across one component.
10.17-10.18 - Circuit practical and I-V characteristicsBuild and check circuits, collect current–voltage evidence for resistors and lamps, compare series with parallel, and explain the characteristic behaviour of resistors, lamps and diodes.
10.19-10.21 - LDRs, thermistors and sensing circuitsInvestigate how light and temperature change resistance. Use paired voltage and current readings to compare an LDR, an NTC thermistor, a filament lamp and a diode fairly.
10.22-10.27 - Heating effects and electrical energyExplain how electron–ion collisions heat a resistor, distinguish useful heating from unwanted dissipation and calculate electrical energy transferred over time. The wire-design section, 10.25, is Higher Tier only.
10.28-10.32 - Electrical power and domestic devicesDistinguish energy from power, choose a power equation from the available measurements and follow energy through battery-powered and mains-powered devices.
10.33-10.36 - Direct and alternating suppliesDistinguish voltage polarity from charge movement, interpret direct and alternating waveforms, and connect the UK mains frequency to complete cycles.
10.37-10.42 - Mains safety and appliance ratingsTrace normal and fault-current paths to explain mains protection, then use appliance ratings to compare how quickly energy stores change.

Topic 12 - Magnetism and the motor effect

12.1-12.6 - Magnets and magnetic fieldsMagnets exert forces without touching. Learn how magnetic materials become magnetised, how field lines show direction and strength, and how a plotting compass reveals the fields of a bar magnet and the Earth.
12.7-12.9 - Current, electromagnets and solenoidsA current creates a magnetic field. Use compass observations and the right-hand grip rule to find its shape and direction, then explain why winding the wire into a solenoid produces a strong central field.
12.10-12.13 - Motor effect and force calculationsA current-carrying wire in a magnetic field can experience a force. Learn how the two fields interact, use Fleming's left-hand rule for the force direction, and calculate the force using the length of wire inside the field. This lesson is Higher-tier content.
12.14P - How an electric motor turnsA motor uses magnetic forces to turn a coil. Follow two named sides through a half-turn to see why the contacts must reverse the coil current. This separate-Physics lesson is Higher-tier content and builds on the motor effect.

Topic 13 - Electromagnetic induction

13.1P-13.3P - Electromagnetic induction and generatorsMoving a magnet relative to a coil can produce an electrical output. Learn the conditions for induction, explain its opposing magnetic effect, and compare the connections that give alternating or direct current. This lesson is Higher-tier content.
13.4P - Microphones, loudspeakers and headphonesA moving-coil microphone turns sound into an electrical signal; loudspeakers and headphones turn an electrical signal into sound. Trace the mechanical and electrical steps to distinguish induction from the motor effect. This separate-Physics lesson is Higher-tier content.
13.5-13.7P - Transformers and turns ratioA transformer changes an alternating voltage while keeping its input and output circuits electrically separate. Follow the changing magnetic field through its core, then use the turns ratio to calculate a voltage or a missing turn count. This lesson is Higher-tier content.
13.8-13.11P - National Grid and high-voltage transmissionHigh-voltage transmission reduces cable heating. Learn where grid transformers are used, calculate current using ideal-transformer power, and follow the energy to consumers. The final quantitative comparison, 13.11P, is separate-Physics Higher-tier content; 13.8–13.10 apply to both tiers.

Topic 14 - Particle model

14.1-14.2 - Particle model and densityUse particle arrangement and movement to explain solids, liquids and gases, then compare materials using mass per unit volume.
14.3 - Density core practicalA solid that fits in your hand can hide its volume in an irregular shape, and a balance weighing a liquid also weighs its container. Core Practical 14.3 solves both problems by finding mass and volume separately, then combining them to determine density. You will follow the mandatory water-displa...
14.4-14.6 - Changes of state and internal energyFollow the same particles through changes of state. Explain density, conserved mass and why heating can change state without raising temperature.
14.7-14.10 - Specific heat capacity and latent heatDistinguish energy that warms a material from energy that changes its state. Select and use both thermal equations, then explain how insulation reduces unwanted transfer.
14.11 - Water heating and melting-ice core practicalA heater can make liquid water steadily warmer, yet keep transferring energy to melting ice while its temperature barely changes. In core practical 14.11, you will determine the specific heat capacity of water and obtain a temperature-time graph for melting ice. Together, the measurements show wh...
14.12-14.15 - Gas pressure and temperatureA rigid sealed container can show a higher pressure after its gas is warmed, even though no extra gas has entered. Statement 14.12 explains gas pressure using moving particles, while 14.13 links temperature, particle velocity and pressure for a fixed mass at constant volume. Statements 14.14 and...
14.16P-14.20P - Gas laws and work on gasesA sealed syringe resists being pushed because changing gas volume changes how the trapped gas presses on its surroundings. Statements 14.16P and 14.17P connect compression and expansion to the force produced by gas pressure, while 14.18P explains the change using particle collisions. Statement 14...

Topic 15 - Forces and matter

15.1-15.5 - Elasticity, spring forces and energyExplain why more than one force is needed to change shape, distinguish elastic recovery from linearity, and calculate spring forces and stored energy.
15.6 - Spring extension and work core practicalMeasure unloaded and loaded spring lengths, process a force-extension graph and determine work done. Use repeat and unloading measurements to judge the evidence.
15.7P-15.12P - Pressure in fluidsA pressure sensor reads differently on a mountain because the air above it is part of the measurement. Statements 15.7P and 15.8P connect atmospheric pressure with height and show that pressure in a fluid includes contributions from the fluid and the atmosphere. Statements 15.9P and 15.10P link p...
15.13P-15.14P - Liquid pressure calculationsHigher tier: explain how liquid-column weight produces pressure, then calculate pressure at a depth and differences between depths.
15.15P-15.17P - Upthrust, floating and sinkingHigher tier: explain how fluid pressure produces upthrust and relate it to displaced-fluid weight. Use this to predict floating, sinking and changes in submerged volume.