GCSE Physics Syllabus

Physics syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Physics in GCSE, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Energy

   3 topics

   • Energy Stores and Transfers
   • Conservation of Energy
   • Energy Resources
2. 2

   Electricity

   3 topics

   • Current and Circuit Symbols
   • Series and Parallel Circuits
   • Electrical Power
3. 3

   Particle Model of Matter

   3 topics

   • Density
   • Changes of State
   • Internal Energy
4. 4

   Forces

   3 topics

   • Contact and Non-Contact Forces
   • Pressure in Fluids
   • Moments, Levers, and Gears

Physics flashcards for GCSE

24 of 52 cards from the Physics deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Name the eight energy stores.

   Kinetic, gravitational potential, elastic potential, thermal (internal), chemical, magnetic, electrostatic, and nuclear.

2. State the equation for kinetic energy, defining each symbol.

   $$E_k = \frac{1}{2}mv^{2}$$ where $E_k$ is kinetic energy in joules (J), $m$ is mass in kg, and $v$ is speed in m/s.

3. State the equation for gravitational potential energy near Earth's surface.

   $$E_p = mgh$$ where $m$ is mass (kg), $g$ is gravitational field strength (N/kg), and $h$ is height (m).

4. State the equation for the elastic potential energy stored in a stretched spring (assuming the limit of proportionality is not exceeded).

   $$E_e = \frac{1}{2}k e^{2}$$ where $k$ is the spring constant (N/m) and $e$ is the extension (m).

5. What are the four ways energy can be transferred?

   Mechanically (by a force doing work), electrically (by a current), by heating, and by radiation (e.g. light or sound waves).

6. State the equation linking specific heat capacity to energy change.

   $$\Delta E = mc\Delta\theta$$ where $m$ is mass (kg), $c$ is specific heat capacity (J/kg°C), and $\Delta\theta$ is the temperature change (°C).

7. Define specific heat capacity.

   The energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1°C (or 1 K).

8. State the principle of conservation of energy.

   Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transferred from one store to another, stored, or dissipated. The total energy of a closed system stays constant.

9. Define the efficiency of an energy transfer and give its equation.

   Efficiency is the fraction of input energy usefully transferred: $$\text{efficiency} = \frac{\text{useful output energy transfer}}{\text{total input energy transfer}}$$ (can also use power). It has no units.

10. What happens to energy that is 'wasted' during a transfer?

    It is dissipated to the surroundings, usually as thermal energy, becoming spread out and less useful (though still conserved).

11. Give two methods of reducing unwanted energy transfers.

    Lubrication to reduce friction, and thermal insulation (e.g. thick walls of low thermal conductivity) to reduce heat loss.

12. List the main renewable energy resources.

    Solar, wind, hydroelectric, tidal, wave, geothermal, and bio-fuel.

13. List the three non-renewable energy resources (fossil fuels) plus one other.

    Coal, oil, and natural gas (fossil fuels), plus nuclear fuel (uranium/plutonium).

14. What is the difference between a renewable and a non-renewable energy resource?

    A renewable resource is replenished as fast as it is used and will not run out; a non-renewable resource is finite and will be used up.

15. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of using fossil fuels.

    Advantage: reliable and produce large amounts of energy on demand. Disadvantage: release carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) and other pollutants, and are non-renewable.

16. State the equation defining electric current in terms of charge.

    $$Q = It$$ where $Q$ is charge (coulombs, C), $I$ is current (amperes, A), and $t$ is time (s).

17. Define electric current.

    The rate of flow of electric charge. A current only flows if there is a source of potential difference and a closed circuit.

18. Draw/describe the circuit symbols for a cell and a battery.

    A cell is one long thin line (+) and one short thick line ($-$). A battery is two or more cells joined in a line.

19. What are the circuit symbols for a fixed resistor and a variable resistor?

    A fixed resistor is a rectangle. A variable resistor is a rectangle with a diagonal arrow through it.

20. What are the circuit symbols for an ammeter and a voltmeter, and how is each connected?

    An ammeter is a circle with 'A', connected in series. A voltmeter is a circle with 'V', connected in parallel across a component.

21. State Ohm's law equation relating potential difference, current and resistance.

    $$V = IR$$ where $V$ is potential difference (V), $I$ is current (A), and $R$ is resistance (Ω).

22. Define resistance and give its unit.

    Resistance is the opposition to the flow of electric charge, equal to potential difference divided by current. Its unit is the ohm (Ω).

23. In a series circuit, how do current, potential difference and resistance behave?

    Current is the same everywhere; potential difference is shared between components ($V_{total}=V_1+V_2+\dots$); total resistance is the sum of resistances ($R_{total}=R_1+R_2+\dots$).

24. In a parallel circuit, how do current and potential difference behave?

    The potential difference across each branch is the same; the total current is the sum of the currents through the branches ($I_{total}=I_1+I_2+\dots$).

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