Physics units & topics
Tap a unit to see its topics. Every topic has free notes, a diagram, quizzes and flashcards.
GCSE Physics revision covers forces, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, particle physics, and the structure of the atom. It's the most mathematical of the three sciences — you'll use equations in almost every question. Understanding how to select, substitute, and rearrange equations is the single most important skill for GCSE Physics.
The GCSE Physics exam has two papers. Paper 1 covers energy, electricity, particle model of matter, and atomic structure. Paper 2 covers forces, waves, magnetism, and space physics (AQA only). Each paper is 1 hour 45 minutes. Around 30% of marks are mathematical, which is higher than Biology or Chemistry.
Tap a unit to see its topics. Every topic has free notes, a diagram, quizzes and flashcards.
A simple, proven loop that works for every topic on this page — and beats re-reading your notes every time.
GCSE Physics success comes down to equation fluency. Write each equation, practise rearranging it to solve for each variable, then do a calculation. If you can pick up the right equation, rearrange it, substitute values, and convert units in under 2 minutes, you're exam-ready. If not, keep practising. There's no shortcut.
Physics is about models, and the best way to learn models is to draw them. Practise drawing series and parallel circuits, free-body force diagrams, ray diagrams for lenses and reflection, and wave diagrams. Being able to draw these from memory is worth 3-5 marks per paper.
In GCSE Physics, working marks are often worth more than the final answer. Write out: equation used, substitution with values, rearrangement, calculation, answer with units. Even if your final number is wrong, you can still get 4 out of 5 marks. Never write just the answer.
Graph questions appear on every GCSE Physics paper. Practise calculating gradients (rise/run), reading values from curves, identifying the shape of proportional, inversely proportional, and linear relationships. Know what the gradient represents for velocity-time graphs (acceleration), force-extension graphs (spring constant), and V-I graphs (resistance).
Wherever you are in your GCSEs, here's the best place to pick up Physics.
Just starting GCSE content? Begin with the first unit — it underpins almost everything else in the Physics course.
Start from the beginningWorking through the course? Follow the units in order and learn one new topic at a time, testing as you go.
Browse all unitsExams approaching? Focus on the high-frequency topics examiners ask most, and drill them with quizzes and past questions.
See top exam topicsGCSE Physics is assessed across 4 written papers.
28 topics · Physics Paper 1
26 topics · Physics Paper 2
33 topics · Physics Paper 1
15 topics · Physics Paper 2
PrepWise covers 51 GCSE Physics topics across AQA, Edexcel and OCR. Each topic includes revision notes, exam-style questions, and flashcards.
Yes. All 51 topics, 784+ exam-style questions, and 836 flashcards are free during alpha. No card required, no trial period.
PrepWise covers AQA, Edexcel and OCR for GCSE Physics. You can select your board during setup and the content, questions, and daily plan adapt to your specification.
AQA GCSE Physics has 23 equations. Some are on the formula sheet given in the exam, but you still need to memorise how to rearrange them. The most-tested equations are kinetic energy (Ek = 1/2mv2), wave speed (v = f lambda), V = IR, and P = IV.
For students and parents — from Year 10 through to exam day
GCSE Physics revision covers forces, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, particle physics, and the structure of the atom. It's the most mathematical of the three sciences — you'll use equations in almost every question. Understanding how to select, substitute, and rearrange equations is the single most important skill for GCSE Physics.
The GCSE Physics exam has two papers. Paper 1 covers energy, electricity, particle model of matter, and atomic structure. Paper 2 covers forces, waves, magnetism, and space physics (AQA only). Each paper is 1 hour 45 minutes. Around 30% of marks are mathematical, which is higher than Biology or Chemistry.
GCSE Physics gives you an equation sheet in the exam, but you still need to know which equation to use, how to rearrange it, and how to substitute values with correct units. The students who score highest are the ones who practise equation work every single day during their GCSE Physics revision. There are 23 equations for AQA — some given, some you must memorise.
All boards cover similar GCSE Physics topics, but the equation lists, practical requirements, and question styles vary. Make sure your GCSE Physics revision targets the right board.
Two papers, each 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks. AQA has 23 equations (some on the formula sheet, some to memorise). There are 10 required practicals directly examined. AQA uniquely includes Space Physics on Paper 2 — the Big Bang, red-shift, and life cycle of stars.
Two papers, each 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks. Edexcel has fewer equations to memorise than AQA but still expects strong mathematical skills. Their questions tend to be more structured (guided step-by-step) which can help weaker students but limits top marks. Core practicals are numbered and referenced directly in questions.
Two papers, each 1 hour 45 minutes, 90 marks. OCR groups topics differently — for example, electricity and magnetism are on the same paper. Their practical assessment follows the PAG model. OCR Physics questions often require multi-step calculations with unit conversions.
A complete gcse physics revision plan from Year 10 through to the final exam — with advice for students and tips for parents at every stage.
Start GCSE Physics revision by getting comfortable with equations from day one. Every time you learn a new equation in class, practise rearranging it three ways. Year 10 typically covers energy, electricity, and particle model — these topics carry the most marks across both papers. Make sure you understand V=IR, P=IV, and the energy equations before Year 11 starts. Parents: if your child struggles with algebra, this will directly impact Physics — consider extra maths support early.
Year 11 brings forces, waves, magnetism, and atomic structure. Keep reviewing electricity and energy while learning new topics. Build a master equation sheet with all 23 equations (for AQA), including units and what each variable stands for. Start doing past paper questions by topic — forces and electricity are worth the most marks, so give them the most time in your GCSE Physics revision schedule.
Go through the entire GCSE Physics specification and honestly assess which topics you understand and which you're guessing at. Spend time on the topics that scare you — for most students, that's electricity circuits, moments, and electromagnetic induction. Practise unit conversions (km to m, kJ to J, mA to A, kW to W) until they're automatic. Examiners give values in awkward units specifically to test this.
Your Physics mock exam will reveal whether your equation skills are good enough. If you dropped marks on calculations, the fix is practice — not more note-reading. After mocks, sort your mistakes: wrong equation chosen, substitution error, rearrangement error, unit error, or didn't show working. Each has a different fix. Parents: if your child lost marks for 'not showing working', explain that working is worth marks even if the final answer is wrong.
Do one full GCSE Physics past paper per week under timed conditions. Practise the 6-mark extended writing questions — these require you to describe or explain a physical process in logical steps, not just list facts. Review all required practicals and know how to evaluate them. Focus on graph skills: reading values, calculating gradients, identifying proportional relationships, and sketching expected shapes for V-I characteristics, cooling curves, and force-extension graphs.
In the final weeks of GCSE Physics revision, do daily equation practice — pick 5 random equations, rearrange each one three ways, then do a calculation with each. Test yourself on required practical methods. Review the topics most students forget: nuclear decay equations, half-life calculations, momentum conservation, and the National Grid (transformers). The night before each paper, read through the equation sheet so there are no surprises.
GCSE Physics success comes down to equation fluency. Write each equation, practise rearranging it to solve for each variable, then do a calculation. If you can pick up the right equation, rearrange it, substitute values, and convert units in under 2 minutes, you're exam-ready. If not, keep practising. There's no shortcut.
Physics is about models, and the best way to learn models is to draw them. Practise drawing series and parallel circuits, free-body force diagrams, ray diagrams for lenses and reflection, and wave diagrams. Being able to draw these from memory is worth 3-5 marks per paper.
In GCSE Physics, working marks are often worth more than the final answer. Write out: equation used, substitution with values, rearrangement, calculation, answer with units. Even if your final number is wrong, you can still get 4 out of 5 marks. Never write just the answer.
Graph questions appear on every GCSE Physics paper. Practise calculating gradients (rise/run), reading values from curves, identifying the shape of proportional, inversely proportional, and linear relationships. Know what the gradient represents for velocity-time graphs (acceleration), force-extension graphs (spring constant), and V-I graphs (resistance).
These come straight from examiner reports — the mistakes that cost students marks every year.
Using the wrong equation — read the question carefully and identify which quantities you're given and which you need to find before choosing.
Forgetting to convert units before substituting into equations (g → kg, kJ → J, cm → m, mA → A, kW → W).
Writing 'the current is used up' in circuit questions — current is CONSERVED. It's energy that's transferred.
Confusing speed and velocity, or mass and weight. Weight is a force measured in Newtons; mass is measured in kilograms.
In wave questions, mixing up transverse and longitudinal, or forgetting the wave speed equation v = f × λ.
As parents of GCSE students ourselves, we know how hard it is to support revision without being overbearing. Here's what actually helps with gcse physics revision at home.
GCSE Physics is essentially applied maths. If your child is confident with algebra (rearranging formulas, substitution, unit conversion), they'll find Physics manageable. If algebra is a weakness, focus on that first — it's the foundation for 30% of the Physics marks.
You don't need to understand Physics to help. Ask your child to solve a calculation aloud — you'll hear whether they know the method or are guessing. The 'teach-back' technique is powerful: 'explain to me how electricity works in a parallel circuit.'
Buy or print the equation sheet for your child's exam board. Stick it on the fridge. Familiarity with the layout saves time in the exam — students who can find the right equation quickly have more time for the actual question.
Physics past papers are the single best revision resource. They're free on the exam board website. Doing one past paper under timed conditions is worth more than 3 hours of reading notes.
51 topics, all aligned to your exam board — learn, quiz and test your way through them.
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